Roch Kubatko

Wrapping up the Winter Meetings

December 11, 2014, 8:31am

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is hopeful that his meetings at the Manchester Grand Hyatt will lead to player acquisitions as early as next week. "We made some good progress with some free agent outfielders and also some pitchers and hopefully that will lead to some players signing with the O's," said Duquette, who obtained right-handers Jason Garcia and Logan Verrett today in the Rule 5 draft. "Happy to add the two right-handed pitchers today to give us some...

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Orioles acquire two players in major league phase of Rule 5 draft (updated)

December 11, 2014, 7:24am

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - The Orioles made their first transactions of the Winter Meetings today at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, selecting right-hander Logan Verrett with their pick in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft and acquiring right-hander Jason Garcia from the Astros following his selection with the fourth overall pick. Garcia, who came from the Red Sox's organization, was obtained for cash considerations. The Orioles have 39 players on their 40-man roster. The Orioles had the 28th...

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Day Four of the Winter Meetings

December 10, 2014, 4:53pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - We've reached the finish line of the 2014 Winter Meetings at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. The Rule 5 draft will be held at 9 a.m. PST, followed by a frantic race to the airport. It's a mad, mad, mad, mad baseball world. The Orioles apparently will head home with a selection in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft and possibly a pick in the Triple-A phase. Last year, they took Michael Almanzar and Julio Borbon. The earth didn't shake. The only real excitement generated by...

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Duquette: "We're not about signing high-profile free agents"

December 10, 2014, 2:48pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - The cash continues to flow at the Winter Meetings at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Free agents are signing for big bucks, just as they did before executives flew to the West Coast, leaving some officials and scouts shaking their heads and wondering just how much higher the salaries can climb. "Can you believe some of the money these guys are getting for a couple outs?" asked Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette. Duquette says none of it impacts what the Orioles want to do...

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Quick hits from Duquette's media session

December 10, 2014, 2:03pm

Orioles

Quick hits from Duquette's media session

SAN DIEGO - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he came close to trading for a pitcher today at the Winter Meetings. He had the foundation to get a deal done and "it didn't work out." No name given, of course. Duquette had a few new discussions today and said it's still more likely that the Orioles sign a free agent than pull off a trade. The Orioles have more meetings planned for later tonight. Officials are scheduled to fly out of San Diego on Thursday at 1 p.m....

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Boras on Davis, Wieters and Chen

December 10, 2014, 1:24pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - Agent Scott Boras drew the usual crowd of reporters and cameramen for his annual Winter Meetings Q&A with reporters in the lobby area of the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Asked about possible extensions for Orioles clients and pending free agents Chris Davis and Matt Wieters, Boras said the following: "I think there's a chance with all players. Dan (Duquette) and I talk a great deal. We obviously have to do their arbitration, annual contracts here soon. I think both players enjoy...

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Quick note on Cespedes rumor

December 10, 2014, 12:46pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - The media will gather with executive vice president Dan Duquette in about 30 minutes for updates on today's meetings with agents and executives. Duquette may volunteer to shoot down a few rumors and confirm others, depending on whether he's in a generous mood. A report surfaced earlier today that the Orioles are interested in Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. While it makes sense that they'd check on Cespedes after losing Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis in free agency, a source...

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Orioles discussed Matusz trade with Pirates

December 10, 2014, 9:00am

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - As further proof that the Orioles are willing to move Brian Matusz if satisfied with the return, executive vice president Dan Duquette met with Pirates officials this week to discuss a deal that would have sent the left-handed reliever to Pittsburgh for outfielder Travis Snider. An industry source confirmed the meeting. The teams aren't on the verge of consummating a trade, but the sides talked and could continue discussions at a later date. The Orioles would like to leave the...

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Leon on Orioles' radar again as they seek backup catcher

December 10, 2014, 6:42am

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - On the Orioles' list of priorities at the Winter Meetings, finding another catcher ranks somewhere below outfielders and bullpen arms. Not a huge priority or a splashy move, but a perceived necessity with Matt Wieters' uncertain status for opening day. One name to keep in mind is Sandy Leon, a switch-hitter who's appeared in 34 games with the Nationals over parts of three major league seasons. The Orioles have liked Leon for a while and they've engaged in trade talks with the...

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Day Three of the Winter Meetings

December 09, 2014, 6:35pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - In order to mentally shorten my stay at the Winter Meetings, I traditionally view today as the finish line. The Rule 5 draft takes place Thursday morning and everyone bolts for the airport as if there's a bag of money waiting for them at their gate. Today is the last full 24-hour period of rumor chasing, lobby roaming and suite visiting. Skeptics hear that Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette anticipates getting a couple of players at the meetings and wonder whether he's...

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Showalter meets the press

December 09, 2014, 4:07pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - As a reporter began to ask Orioles manager Buck Showalter this afternoon about the moves made by the Yankees and Red Sox during the offseason, he interrupted with a question of his own. "They run out of money yet?" Probably not, which doesn't have him overly concerned. This isn't Showalter's first season with the Orioles and it isn't his first time at the Winter Meetings. Good luck trying to ruffle his feathers. Showalter was relaxed and quick with a quip during his media...

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Hearing from Duquette at the Winter Meetings

December 09, 2014, 2:15pm

Orioles

Hearing from Duquette at the Winter Meetings

SAN DIEGO - Now that you've had time to digest the nuggets of information coming from executive vice president Dan Duquette's session with the media earlier today at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, here are some expanded quotes that went along with them. "We've met with a bunch of agents on outfield options and a couple of pitching options, so we were sharpening our focus on the market in those two areas," he said. "We've got a much better idea of what the market is in the outfielders and...

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Duquette confident Orioles will leave meetings with a couple of players

December 09, 2014, 1:42pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - Orioles general manager Dan Duquette made it through today's media session at the Winter Meetings without fielding any questions about the Blue Jays. Must be those reports that Paul Beeston will return as Toronto's president/CEO in 2015. Duquette said he spoke to "a bunch" of agents and had trade discussions with four or five executives concerning outfielders and relievers. He's looking for left-handers and right-handers. After noting that the market is starting to take shape,...

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Duquette meeting with Young's agent

December 09, 2014, 11:04am

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is meeting today with the representative for free agent Delmon Young, and the club is viewed as a favorite to re-sign the veteran outfielder. One scout from another organization considers the Orioles an overwhelming favorite despite Young's preference for a two-year deal. The club seemed reluctant earlier in the offseason to guarantee more than one year. The Orioles are in the market for right-handed and left-handed bats for the...

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The lobby buzz on Matusz

December 09, 2014, 7:28am

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - The lobby of the Manchester Grand Hyatt is filling up again for the second official day of baseball's Winter Meetings. The biggest buzz surrounds free agent pitcher Jon Lester, who reportedly has multiple offers for six years and may have a team willing to give him seven. The Orioles never were in the running for Lester. They're not touching the high-priced starters on the market. While their primary focus has shifted to the outfield, they also are targeting a left-handed...

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Day Two of the Winter Meetings

December 08, 2014, 5:06pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - If Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette really had a sense of humor, he would have greeted reporters in his suite yesterday while wearing a Blue Jays cap. Too soon? It's pointless to keep asking Duquette about his reported desire to join the Blue Jays as president/CEO. He isn't going to confirm it and he isn't going to provide a stern denial. He's just going to stress that his focus remains on the Orioles. Keep squinting while reading between the lines, but don't...

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Duquette: "I'm here with the Orioles and my focus is with the Orioles"

December 08, 2014, 2:44pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette relaxed on a sofa in his suite at the Manchester Grand Hyatt this afternoon, members of the local media lined up on chairs in front of him trying to ascertain whether he was close to signing a free agent or making a trade. He dispensed the information, careful not to reveal too much, and waited for the inevitable questions about the Blue Jays. Duquette is trying to piece together a roster and eliminate the notion that he's distracted...

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Quick hits from Duquette

December 08, 2014, 1:42pm

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, sitting with reporters today in his suite at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, indicated that he's more likely to sign a free agent than make a trade at this stage of the Winter Meetings. "It looks like there are more free agents closer to signing," Duquette said. Duquette said he's "reluctant" to trade any of his starting pitchers. Duquette also said he's in the market for right-handed and left-handed hitting outfielders/designated...

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Lombardozzi and McCoy outrighted, MLB takes a stand against lung cancer

December 08, 2014, 12:53pm

Orioles

Lombardozzi and McCoy outrighted, MLB takes a stand against lung cancer

SAN DIEGO - The Orioles just announced that they've outrighted infielder Steve Lombardozzi and left-hander Pat McCoy to Triple-A Norfolk after both players cleared waivers. The 40-man roster is down to 37. McCoy and Scott Barnes were left-handed relievers added to the 40-man roster after the season. The Rangers claimed Barnes off waivers this morning. I'll have more on the roster moves after meeting with executive vice president Dan Duquette at 3 p.m. PST. As public relations...

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Orioles lose Barnes on waiver claim

December 08, 2014, 9:20am

Orioles

SAN DIEGO - The Orioles have an opening on their 40-man roster after the Rangers claimed left-hander Scott Barnes off waivers this morning. Barnes didn't have time to get attached to the Orioles, who acquired him from the Indians on Nov. 26 in exchange for cash considerations. Barnes, 27, appeared in 25 games (one start) with Triple-A Columbus in 2014, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA in 31 2/3 innings. In two major league seasons with the Indians, Barnes went 0-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 27 2/3 innings...