Roch Kubatko

Orioles closer to finalizing O'Day deal (plus other notes)

December 07, 2015, 2:05pm

Orioles

NASHVILLE - The Orioles appear confident that they will reach an official agreement with reliever Darren O'Day within the new few days. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said talks are "progressing" as the final details are hammered out and a physical is arranged. The Orioles intend to sign O'Day to a four-year deal worth $31 million, assuming that nothing has changed in that part of the agreement. Duquette was involved in a couple of trade talks today with teams willing to part with...

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Cal Ripken Jr. named MLB youth programs advisor (updated with quotes)

December 07, 2015, 10:56am

Orioles

Cal Ripken Jr. named MLB youth programs advisor (updated with quotes)

NASHVILLE - Cal Ripken Jr. has been named the new senior advisor to the commissioner on youth programs and outreach. Commissioner Rob Manfred will make the announcement later this afternoon at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Ripken stays busy with his youth baseball complex, ownership of the Aberdeen IronBirds, analyst duties with TBS, overseeing the charitable foundation named after his late father and sorted other endeavors. What's one more job for baseball's Iron...

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Neil Walker still on Orioles' radar

December 07, 2015, 6:53am

Orioles

NASHVILLE - The Orioles' pursuit of a left-handed bat and a desire to improve their on-base percentage could lead them back to Neil Walker. Executive vice president Dan Duquette talked to the Pirates about Walker at last month's general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Fla. With the Orioles still unsure about Chris Davis, they maintain interest in Walker as a switch-hitting utility-type player who could get plenty of at-bats at first base and as their designated hitter. Walker is challenged...

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The latest buzz on Chris Davis (and more)

December 06, 2015, 8:01pm

Orioles

The latest buzz on Chris Davis (and more)

NASHVILLE - The Orioles arrived at the Winter Meetings yesterday still trying to gauge the market for first baseman Chris Davis. Does it exist? If so, let's hear about the teams and the potential dollars. Don't hold back. I'm not talking about the inevitable mystery team, which won't surface until much later if Davis remains unsigned. Are the Cardinals still one of the favorites to sign him? ESPN.com suggested that their reported interest was overblown. Are the Astros willing to spend big...

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Dan Duquette on Darren O'Day, a left-handed bat and starter, and more

December 06, 2015, 4:14pm

Orioles

Dan Duquette on Darren O'Day, a left-handed bat and starter, and more

NASHVILLE - Does stirring up the industry two straight years on the day before the official start of the Winter Meetings actually constitute a streak? Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette isn't being courted by the Blue Jays this year, but he has to address the confusion over an apparent agreement with reliever Darren O'Day on a four-year, $31 million contract. ESPN.com's Buster Olney is now reporting that the final details in O'Day's talks with the Orioles center on...

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Quick hits from media session with Dan Duquette

December 06, 2015, 2:51pm

Orioles

Quick hits from media session with Dan Duquette

NASHVILLE - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't wait for the inevitable questions about Darren O'Day. Before anyone from the media could chime in while gathering in his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, he stated that "there's more work to do" regarding an agreement with the free agent reliever. Duquette said there's no "news item" today related to O'Day and he wouldn't provide a timetable for finalizing an agreement despite earlier...

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Orioles reach agreement with O'Day on four-year deal (updated)

December 06, 2015, 5:02am

Orioles

I'm about 30 minutes away from boarding my flight to Nashville and we already have Orioles news. A team source confirmed this morning that the Orioles reached agreement with reliever Darren O'Day on a four-year deal "pending a medical review." The decision came down to the Orioles and Nationals, who reportedly were hesitant to offer a fourth year. CBSSports.com is reporting that O'Day will receive $31 million. FOXSports.com first reported the agreement. O'Day is 23-8 with a 1.92 ERA and...

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Whining in a Winter Meetings land

December 05, 2015, 6:52pm

Orioles

The day has arrived. The Winter Meetings officially begin on Monday, but I'm boarding a flight this morning for Nashville. Get used to the dateline because you're going to see plenty of it until I return home Thursday night. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is expected to meet with the local media crew later today - if we can locate the elevators that take us up to his suite. I'm thinking of hiring an Uber driver to transport me around the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention...

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More leftovers for breakfast

December 04, 2015, 7:25pm

Orioles

The Winter Meetings officially start in two days. I officially start packing a suitcase later this afternoon. My bitterness may not fit in the overhead compartment. Reliever Darren O'Day remains on the free agent market this morning. I checked again late last night and nothing seemed to change on the Orioles' end of it. They're hoping that their offer is good enough while also banking on location and manager Buck Showalter's careful handling of his bullpen as deciding factors. Buck versus...

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Darren O'Day nearing decision

December 04, 2015, 2:06pm

Orioles

One year after the Orioles lost left-hander Andrew Miller in free agency, another huge hole could be punched in their bullpen. Will they go down swinging? Right-hander Darren O'Day remains on the market, but it shouldn't be much longer. The Nationals continue to be viewed as the favorites to sign him, and that includes some people within the Orioles organization. The Orioles have an offer on the table for O'Day, 33, but a couple of sources believe that he's leaning toward joining the...

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Orioles release FanFest autograph schedule

December 04, 2015, 11:27am

Orioles

While the Orioles work on crafting their roster for opening day, they're also finalizing plans for the Dec. 12 FanFest at the Convention Center. The latest update involves the autograph stations, which include former Orioles Melvin Mora, Scott McGregor, Mike Boddicker, Ken Singleton, Chris Hoiles, Larry Sheets, Ross Grimsley, Tippy Martinez and Larry Bigbie. The group also includes Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson and former shortstop and current...

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Leftovers for breakfast

December 03, 2015, 7:07pm

Orioles

The Orioles non-tendered infielder Paul Janish prior to Wednesday night's deadline, but they would like to re-sign him to a minor league deal. Janish is highly regarded for his defense and approach to the game. I'll repeat that I expected him to stay on the 40-man roster and he certainly has his share of supporters in the organization. The pitchers at Triple-A Norfolk benefited from having Janish at shortstop, just as the staff at Double-A Bowie benefited from Ozzie Martinez's glove work....

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Dan Duquette: "Everybody knows we're trying to sign Chris Davis"

December 03, 2015, 2:33pm

Orioles

Dan Duquette: "Everybody knows we're trying to sign Chris Davis"

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette repeated tonight that the Orioles are continuing their attempts to re-sign first baseman Chris Davis despite yesterday's acquisition of Mark Trumbo from the Mariners. "Everybody knows we're trying to sign Chris Davis," Duquette said during the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "We like Chris Davis. He's done some great work for us, and of course, our fans like him. But where these markets take us, I'm not real sure. I just know that the...

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Recapping the roster madness

December 02, 2015, 6:38pm

Orioles

My head stopped spinning long enough this morning for me to catch a couple of hours of sleep. So much for a lull in the offseason. It was more like lull-a bye. (See what I did there?) The Orioles announced their trade with the Mariners and set up a conference call with executive vice president Dan Duquette and first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo. They traded for catcher Francisco Pena, the son of former major league catcher and current Yankees coach Tony Pena. They confirmed that the Mariners...

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Orioles non-tender Lough and settle with Reimold

December 02, 2015, 5:49pm

Orioles

The Orioles non-tendered outfielder David Lough tonight, allowing the outfielder to become a free agent. They settled with outfielder Nolan Reimold on a contract for the 2016 season. Reimold will receive $1.3 million if he makes the opening day roster, according to sources. He joined pitcher Vance Worley as the two arbitration-eligible players who settled tonight. Reimold, 32, batted .247/.344/.394 with five doubles, a triple, six home runs and 20 RBIs in 61 games. The former second-round pick...

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Orioles acquire catcher Francisco Pena from Royals

December 02, 2015, 3:26pm

Orioles

The Orioles aren't done making moves tonight. On the same day that they traded catcher Steve Clevenger, they acquired catcher Francisco Pena from the Royals for cash considerations. Needing more room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated infielder Paul Janish for assignment. Janish was told earlier today that he would be non-tendered. Pena, 26, batted .251/.305/.430 with 13 home runs and 48 RBIs in 95 games this year with Triple-A Omaha. He posted a .274/.303/.522 slash line against...

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Hearing from Johnson, Clevenger, Trumbo and Duquette

December 02, 2015, 2:38pm

Orioles

Hearing from Johnson, Clevenger, Trumbo and Duquette

Baltimore native Steve Johnson was braced for the possibility that he would be designated for assignment this offseason, so he took the news in stride today after the Orioles removed him from the 40-man roster. "I don't want to say I was too surprised," said Johnson, the St. Paul's graduate who was designated to create a spot for left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser. "I kind of understood after not having the best September that it was a possibility. There were a couple of times they could have...

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Orioles will non-tender Paul Janish (plus quotes off today's trade)

December 02, 2015, 1:24pm

Orioles

The Orioles will non-tender infielder Paul Janish, according to a source, leaving their 40-man roster at 39 players with more subtractions possible later tonight. Janish, 33, batted .286/.278/.371 with three doubles and three RBIs in 14 games after the Orioles selected his contract on Aug. 25. He signed a minor league deal on Nov. 20, 2014. The Orioles value Janish's defense and would like to keep him in the organization. He didn't commit an error in 54 chances with them, making nine starts,...

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Orioles designate Steve Johnson for assignment

December 02, 2015, 12:16pm

Orioles

The Orioles have removed two Baltimore natives from their 40-man roster. The trade with Seattle is official. The Orioles sent catcher Steve Clevenger to the Mariners for first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo and left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser. To make room for Riefenhauser on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated St. Paul's graduate Steve Johnson for assignment. "Trumbo is a proven major league run producer who will add depth and power to our lineup," said executive vice president Dan...

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Updating the trade, plus notes on Wilkins and FanFest

December 02, 2015, 9:34am

Orioles

Updating the trade, plus notes on Wilkins and FanFest

The Orioles will receive left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser from the Mariners to complete the trade involving Mark Trumbo and Steve Clevenger, with a source confirming reports. The deal still isn't official, but the day is young. Riefenhauser, 25, is 1-0 with a 6.30 ERA in 24 games with the Rays over parts of two seasons. He appeared in 17 games this season and allowed 10 runs (nine earned) and 15 hits in 14 2/3 innings. He walked seven batters and struck out seven. I heard last night that the...