Roch Kubatko

Young taking physical next week

January 03, 2015, 2:25pm

Orioles

Having reached agreement with Delmon Young on a one-year deal on Christmas Eve, the Orioles still need the outfielder to take his physical before they can make it official. The Orioles knew that the physical wouldn't get done before Jan. 1. I was told today that Young will take it on Wednesday in Baltimore. No rush, I suppose. Team officials are confident that Young's physical won't turn up anything that could nix the deal. It's pretty much a formality. Young is guaranteed $2.25 million and...

Tags:

"Mutual interest" in Tillman extension, and other notes

January 02, 2015, 6:44pm

Orioles

"Mutual interest" in Tillman extension, and other notes

With so much attention placed on the Orioles' attempts to craft their roster for the upcoming season, it's easy to forget that they need to give raises to their 11 arbitration-eligible players. Players can file for arbitration on Jan. 13, and the sides exchange salary figures three days later. Hearings take place between Feb. 1-21 if agreements aren't reached. Here's the list of the Orioles' 11 arbitration-eligible players with their salaries last season and MLBTradeRumors.com's...

Tags:

orioles chris tillman colby rasmus featured_sidebar nori aoki frontstory_orioles2

What's next for the Orioles?

January 01, 2015, 11:29am

Orioles

Now that we've made it past the holidays, the Orioles could make a flurry of moves before opening day. Not a blizzard. The plow won't be driving through your neighborhood. But the baseball forecast in Baltimore is calling for flurries. The Delmon Young signing is just one of the moves. The Orioles will add at least one left-handed bat for the outfield, with Colby Rasmus the current favorite if manager Buck Showalter is satisfied with their meeting. A catcher and right-handed reliever also...

Tags:

orioles colby rasmus dan duquette delmon young featured_sidebar wesley wright frontstory_orioles2

A new year brings a new set of Orioles notes

December 31, 2014, 8:14pm

Orioles

Welcome to the first day of 2015. I hope you're not spending it in a holding cell. The ball dropped in Times Square, but I fully expected Adam Jones to run it down. Maybe his range is diminishing. As the Orioles continue their search for another left-handed bat, a source confirmed yesterday that they're interested in outfielder/first baseman Chris Parmelee, who became a free agent this week after declining his outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester. The Twins designated Parmelee for...

Tags:

orioles chris parmalee colby rasmus jim presley frontstory_orioles2

Showalter meeting with Rasmus this week

December 31, 2014, 12:21pm

Orioles

If the Orioles are going to sign free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus, he's got to pass the eye test of manager Buck Showalter. Showalter is planning to meet with Rasmus this week at the outfielder's Georgia home, according to a source. An agreement could be reached soon after on a one-year deal. The Orioles believe they can get Rasmus in the range of $5 million to $8 million. He wants to come to Baltimore, according to a source, and use a one-year deal as a platform for a bigger payday. Rasmus...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter colby rasmus frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles2

A few thoughts on 25-man and 40-man rosters

December 30, 2014, 11:38am

Orioles

A few thoughts on 25-man and 40-man rosters

The Mariners reportedly have acquired Seth Smith from the Padres, removing another outfielder from the Orioles' list of possible winter acquisitions. The Orioles have been in discussions with the Padres while continuing their search for a left-handed hitting outfielder who also can rotate into the designated hitter slot. I'm not close to the Padres, but I assume that they'll hold onto Will Venable, who also has drawn interest from the Orioles. They can't have a roster filled with...

Tags:

orioles alejandro de aza alex hassan colby rasmus david lough featured_sidebar henry urrutia jimmy paredes ryan lavarnway frontstory_orioles2

Orioles have real interest in Rasmus

December 29, 2014, 12:18pm

Orioles

I'm still hearing that the Orioles don't have serious interest in free agent Ichiro Suzuki. However, they do hold legitimate interest in another left-handed hitting outfielder, Colby Rasmus, and have maintained a dialogue with agent Casey Close since the Winter Meetings in San Diego. This is more than just rumor or speculation. The Orioles need a left-handed hitting outfielder who can rotate into the designated hitter slot in the lineup, which is why they've also been linked to Nori Aoki. I...

Tags:

orioles adam jones colby rasmus ryan lavarnway steve johnson featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Random Orioles notes

December 28, 2014, 7:05pm

Orioles

The Orioles have been viewed as the favorites to host the 2016 All-Star Game, but I'm told that it's not going to happen. The club hasn't been officially notified, but a source says it won't be played at Camden Yards. The Orioles last hosted the All-Star Game in 1993, one year after the ballpark opened. The 2015 All-Star Game will be played in Cincinnati, and the Nationals are expected to host it in 2017. The leagues traditionally alternate hosting it and Baltimore was deemed the most...

Tags:

orioles all-star game featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Is Pearce poised to become prized free agent?

December 27, 2014, 7:38pm

Orioles

Is Pearce poised to become prized free agent?

Throughout the Winter Meetings and the days that followed, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette stated that the club was more likely to sign a free agent than make a trade. The Orioles reached agreement with left-hander Wesley Wright and outfielder Delmon Young on one-year deals, taking two free agents off the market, but their next move could come via trade. How else are they going to get that left-handed outfielder/designated hitter unless their interest in Nori Aoki...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar seth smith steve pearce will veneble frontstory_orioles1

Hardy signing still a bargain

December 26, 2014, 7:17pm

Orioles

The Orioles have been quiet since reaching agreement Wednesday with outfielder Delmon Young on a one-year deal. The warehouse is closed, though executive vice president Dan Duquette remains open for business if anyone wants to talk. The wrapping paper is still scattered under the tree, but the Orioles received an early present on Oct. 9 when shortstop J.J. Hardy signed a three-year, $40 million extension with a club option for 2018. Hardy could have gotten a bigger deal on the free agent...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar jj hardy frontstory_orioles3

Lavarnway acquisition further clouds Clevenger's future

December 25, 2014, 8:42am

Orioles

Lavarnway acquisition further clouds Clevenger's future

The Orioles have proceeded through winters past with one or two catchers on their 40-man roster. After claiming Ryan Lavarnway off waivers this week, the club seems to be collecting them like ornaments. Lavarnway is the fifth catcher added to the 40-man, leaving more doubts about whether Steve Clevenger has a future in the organization. Matt Wieters might not be ready on opening day, but Clevenger is being squeezed by Lavarnway and Caleb Joseph. Prospect Michael Ohlman also is on the 40-man...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar ryan lavarnway steve clevenger frontstory_orioles3

Bundy: "This is a big year for me"

December 24, 2014, 8:55am

Orioles

I want to start out by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday or whatever works for you on this day. Enjoy it with family and friends. Any list of Orioles pitching prospects always includes Dylan Bundy in the top spot. Ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow didn't change the order. The strained right latissimus dorsi that ended his 2014 season is a distant memory after only four months. Teams continue to inquire about his availability - Bundy and Kevin Gausman come...

Tags:

orioles bobby bundy dylan bundy featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Orioles reach agreement with Delmon Young on one-year deal

December 24, 2014, 7:18am

Orioles

The Orioles can cross another item off their winter shopping list, having reached agreement with free agent outfielder Delmon Young on a one-year contract. The deal is pending a physical, which will be completed after the New Year, according to a source. He's guaranteed $2.25 million and can reach $3 million in incentives. Young, 29, was seeking a multi-year deal after batting .302/.337/.442 with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 83 games. His first preference was to re-sign with the...

Tags:

orioles delmon young featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

"Because You Asked - Lost in New York"

December 23, 2014, 3:32pm

Orioles

I'm a day late for the big Festivus celebration - now I'm stuck with that pole I ordered from Amazon.com - but it's always an appropriate time for the airing of the grievances. I'll start with how I keep answering the same questions over and over as if I'm typing in invisible print. (It's not really a major gripe for me, but I'm tying together two themes here, so please ride it out.) Folks seem to enjoy a good holiday movie sequel, though my screenplay for "It's A Wonderful Life II"...

Tags:

orioles chris davis christian walker dan duquette delmon young ryan lavarnway frontstory_orioles1

Orioles claim Lavarnway, release Berry

December 23, 2014, 9:20am

Orioles

With the list of available catchers dwindling, the Orioles have claimed former Red Sox prospect Ryan Lavarnway off waivers from the Cubs and released outfielder Quintin Berry. The 40-man roster, which remains full, includes catchers Matt Wieters, Caleb Joseph, Steve Clevenger and Michael Ohlman. Lavarnway, 27, also can play first base and serve as a designated hitter. "Lavarnway has good athletic ability and has been a consistent hitter in the minors," executive vice president Dan Duquette...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar quintin berry ryan lavarnway frontstory_orioles3

Trying to decide on the roster in December

December 22, 2014, 4:45pm

Orioles

Trying to decide on the roster in December

As we approach the Christmas holiday, the Orioles still have lots of work to do on their roster unless they're committed to starting Alejandro De Aza or David Lough in left field and Steve Pearce in right. Executive vice president Dan Duquette wanted two more outfielders - one who batted from the left side and one who batted from the right. He wanted another catcher to improve the depth, though he's got four on the 40-man roster. And if the season started today, manager Buck Showalter...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar delmon young henry urrutia jimmy paredes steve clevenger frontstory_orioles3

This, that and the other

December 21, 2014, 5:27pm

Orioles

The Orioles have hired former major league third baseman Sean Berry as the hitting coach at Triple-A Norfolk. Berry replaces Denny Walling, who retired to spend more time with his family. Berry, 48, had been the Padres minor league hitting coordinator. He previously served as the Astros hitting coach. Berry played for the Expos while Dan Duquette was their general manager. The Orioles still need a field coach at Single-A Frederick. They've hired Howie Clark as Single-A Delmarva field coach...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar matt wieters michael ohlman nick hundley nolan reimold scott coolbaugh sean berry steve clevenger steve johnson frontstory_orioles3

Wieters on Markakis leaving

December 20, 2014, 5:00pm

Orioles

Since the day that Nick Markakis made his decision to accept a four-year offer from the Braves, I've been asked about the leadership void in the Orioles clubhouse and how it will be filled. Does it even exist? Let's take a look. Adam Jones is the vocal leader, and younger players also can turn to J.J. Hardy, Matt Wieters and Darren O'Day, among others. But Markakis was a highly respected and popular figure whose absence will be felt. Wieters has a home in the Atlanta area and he's been...

Tags:

orioles chris davis christian walker featured_sidebar matt wieters nick markakis frontstory_orioles3

Kirby on Coolbaugh: "I think he's going to be great"

December 20, 2014, 10:39am

Orioles

Kirby on Coolbaugh: "I think he's going to be great"

If anyone in the Orioles organization truly knows Scott Coolbaugh, it's got to be first base coach Wayne Kirby. Room with a guy for four years in spring training and you're going to learn plenty about him. Kirby and Coolbaugh were paired up while they worked in the Rangers organization. The Orioles hired Coolbaugh on Friday to replace Jim Presley as hitting coach, a move that has been met with favorable reviews by the people closest to him. "Cooley is a low-key type," Kirby said. "He's...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar scott coolbaugh wayne kirby frontstory_orioles3

Showalter sees Coolbaugh as "a very good fit"

December 19, 2014, 1:44pm

Orioles

Showalter sees Coolbaugh as "a very good fit"

Orioles manager Buck Showalter targeted Scott Coolbaugh early in the process of interviewing for a new hitting coach. Once the Rangers granted permission yesterday, the decision practically was made. Coolbaugh sealed the deal after sitting down today with Showalter and vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson. He walked away already having the job, and the Orioles made the announcement around 6 p.m. "He's very dependable," Showalter said. "He's got a pure heart and he's not a...