Roch Kubatko

Torii Hunter off the board, Morse rumor, more on Markakis

December 02, 2014, 4:46pm

Orioles

Torii Hunter off the board, Morse rumor, more on Markakis

Torii Hunter is no longer a free agent consideration for the Orioles. Hunter has agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Twins, according to multiple reports. He's returning to his original team. Hunter spent 11 seasons in Minnesota and included the Twins over the weekend among the clubs that could sign him this winter. However, he appeared to place them below the Orioles, Rangers and Mariners. The preference to play for a contender seemed to elevate the Orioles and Hunter had...

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Orioles tender contracts to 11 arbitration-eligible players

December 02, 2014, 1:21pm

Orioles

The Orioles have tendered contracts to all 11 of their arbitration-eligible players, with confirmation coming this evening via the team. The group includes first-timers Chris Tillman ($546,000 in 2014), Zach Britton ($521,500), Miguel Gonzalez ($529,000) and Ryan Flaherty ($513,000). The Orioles already were bracing for significant raises due to the three pitchers. Matt Wieters, Chris Davis, Steve Pearce, Alejandro De Aza, Tommy Hunter and Bud Norris are entering their final year under team...

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Duquette on arbitration-eligibles, Cruz, Markakis and more

December 02, 2014, 8:35am

Orioles

Duquette on arbitration-eligibles, Cruz, Markakis and more

The Orioles aren't expected to take their decisions on their arbitration-eligible players down to the midnight deadline tonight as they did in 2013. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said he's hoping to "bring this to closure by the end of the business day." Meanwhile, it's OK to keep speculating that all 11 players will be tendered contracts for next season. Trade discussions always heat up on the final day, but the Orioles don't seem as likely to make a move. They dealt closer Jim...

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Baseball America names Duquette MLB Executive of the Year

December 02, 2014, 6:19am

Orioles

Baseball America names Duquette MLB Executive of the Year

While executive vice president Dan Duquette works toward putting together a roster for the 2015 season, he continues to be rewarded for his work this year. Baseball America has named Duquette as its Major League Executive of the Year. The Sporting News honored him last month during the general managers' meetings. One day after Nelson Cruz agreed to terms on a four-year, $57 million contract with the Mariners, Duquette is rewarded in part for signing the outfielder to a one-year, $8 million...

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What's on today's agenda?

December 01, 2014, 5:17pm

Orioles

Has everyone moved on from the Nelson Cruz news? Has the depression subsided? No more Cruz blues? This blog was on Cruz control yesterday, judging by the number of comments. I hadn't surrendered hope that Cruz would stay with the Orioles, but I kept warning that he'd need to come down to three years. I'm just surprised that he made the decision a week before the start of the Winter Meetings in San Diego. Did his agent read the market and determine that the Mariners' offer of $57 million...

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Cruz reportedly agrees to terms with Mariners (updated)

December 01, 2014, 5:46am

Orioles

Cruz reportedly agrees to terms with Mariners (updated)

Outfielder Nelson Cruz, who led the majors with 40 home runs this season, has agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Mariners, according to multiple reports. The Dominican newspaper El Caribe was the first to report that Cruz will receive $57 million from the Mariners, who pursued him last winter before ownership intervened. Cruz settled for a one-year, $8 million deal with the Orioles, which executive vice president Dan Duquette described in October as a "platform" for the outfielder...

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Orioles searching for outfield alternatives

November 30, 2014, 10:38am

Orioles

There's a perception among some fans that Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is sitting back with his feet on his desk while outfielders Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz decide whether to re-sign with the club or pursue a better offer. I've read the criticisms on Twitter and in the comments section of the blog. Other teams in the division are making bold moves while Duquette lets opportunities pass by waiting on Markakis and Cruz. Pretty soon, it's going to be too late to replace...

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orioles dan duquette featured_sidebar matt wieters nelson cruz nick markakis frontstory_orioles2

Chuck Thompson CD is music to the ears

November 29, 2014, 7:41am

Orioles

I'm making the nearly three-hour drive home from Ocean Pines on Sunday morning, which gives me a second chance to listen to a CD that Cubs radio play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes mailed to me last week. Hughes has created "Baseball Voices, Hall of Fame Series," which pays tribute to some of the greatest announcers in history, including Red Barber, Harry Caray, Mel Allen, Harry Kalas, Jack Buck, Bob Prince and our own Chuck Thompson. I thoroughly enjoyed "Chuck Thompson, Voice of the...

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AL East third basemen second to none

November 28, 2014, 6:40pm

Orioles

So how do you like the third basemen in the American League East these days? The roll call includes Manny Machado, Evan Longoria, Pablo Sandoval and now Josh Donaldson after last night's trade between the Athletics and Blue Jays. It also includes Alex Rodriguez, which must make the Yankees dry heave. Longoria feels like the only holdover in the group. Donaldson arrived via trade, Sandoval signed with the Red Sox as a free agent, Machado was injured and Rodriguez was suspended. Machado and...

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Navarro: "I'm going to fight for a job"

November 28, 2014, 10:18am

Orioles

Infielder Rey Navarro had his pick of teams that wanted to sign him as a minor league free agent. His decision became much easier when the Orioles stepped up with a major league offer. A spot on a 40-man roster with a winning team? Get the contract ready. "I'm really excited about it," Navarro said Friday afternoon before getting ready for his next game with Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League. "I just feel like I've got a good chance to play there. They made me good offer and...

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Important season coming up for Urrutia

November 27, 2014, 4:12pm

Orioles

Here's hoping that everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving and no one bet the mortgage on the Cowboys. I'm heading out later today to buy a battery for my laptop. The power cord has a short in it, further complicating my efforts to post daily blog entries. Otherwise, it's a piece of cake. Or a slice of pumpkin pie, if that's your preference. I've written how the Orioles are focusing on their bullpen, especially left-handed relief with Andrew Miller set to depart as a free agent. The...

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Orioles thankful for left-handed relievers

November 26, 2014, 5:11pm

Orioles

The Orioles currently have 20 pitchers on their 40-man roster, including two left-handed relievers who are recent additions to the group. They claimed Pat McCoy off waivers from the Tigers on Oct. 31, and we're waiting to find out whether it's a trick or a treat. It was a fun-size transaction, small in comparison to other moves made by teams during the offseason. (I know it's a different holiday today. Stay with me here.) The Orioles acquired Scott Barnes from the Indians yesterday for...

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Orioles acquire left-hander Scott Barnes, sign infielder Rey Navarro (updated)

November 26, 2014, 8:33am

Orioles

The Orioles announced today that they acquired left-handed reliever Scott Barnes from the Indians for cash considerations and officially signed infielder Rey Navarro to a major league deal. The moves leave the Orioles with 39 players on their 40-man roster. Barnes, 27, appeared in 25 games (one start) with Triple-A Columbus in 2014, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA (31 2/3 innings, 13 earned runs). In two major league seasons in the Cleveland organization, Barnes went 0-1 with a 5.20 ERA (27 2/3...

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Leftovers for breakfast

November 25, 2014, 6:09pm

Orioles

Too soon for leftovers? There will be lots of cold turkey and stuffing in the coming days. And if you're like me, you'll prefer the cranberry sauce that jiggles out of the can. In the meantime, I've got some leftover Orioles notes and quotes to pass down the table. Try not to spill them on the white tablecloth. As the Orioles began compiling a list of candidates to interview for the job of hitting coach, they briefly considered Melvin Mora before deciding against it. Mora was a career...

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Dave Martinez could emerge as hitting coach candidate in Baltimore

November 25, 2014, 11:34am

Orioles

Dave Martinez could emerge as hitting coach candidate in Baltimore

Now that Dave Martinez has informed the Rays that he's leaving the organization, the Orioles may add him to their list of candidates for the job of hitting coach. I was given a "maybe" by someone in the organization this afternoon when I asked about Martinez. The idea wasn't shot down, so Martinez at least will get consideration for an interview. No more interviews are scheduled before the Thanksgiving holiday, but the Orioles want to have Jim Presley's replacement in the fold before the...

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Manto: "I would love to have this job" (updated)

November 24, 2014, 3:52pm

Orioles

Manto: "I would love to have this job" (updated)

Former Oriole Jeff Manto drove to Baltimore today and spent about two hours interviewing for the vacant job of hitting coach. Manager Buck Showalter, executive vice president Dan Duquette and vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson were in the room. Manto, the minor league hitting coordinator since November 2013, found out this morning that Jim Presley had been reassigned. The Orioles gave him the choice of interviewing later in the day or Tuesday, and he wasn't taking any...

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Navarro in Baltimore, more on free agents and hitting coach situation

November 24, 2014, 2:39pm

Orioles

Navarro in Baltimore, more on free agents and hitting coach situation

Infielder Rey Navarro, who agreed to a major league contract over the weekend, flew into Baltimore last night and will take his physical this morning. The Orioles will announce his signing and addition to the 40-man roster once they receive the results. The Orioles will have two open spots on their 40-man. One is reserved for the Rule 5 draft. Keep in mind that the Orioles can create more room at any time. I keep noting how infielder Steve Lombardozzi is likely to be removed. It just hasn't...

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Orioles interviewing Manto for hitting coach job

November 24, 2014, 12:26pm

Orioles

The Orioles began the process of interviewing hitting coaches today by meeting with Jeff Manto. No sense waiting until after the Thanksgiving holiday. The Orioles hired Manto as minor league hitting coordinator in November 2013, replacing Mike Boulanger in the role. He previously served as hitting coach with the Pirates in 2006-07 and the White Sox in 2012-13. The White Sox fired him following a 99-loss season. Manto was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame over the...

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Breaking down Orioles' playoff shares

November 24, 2014, 9:16am

Orioles

The Orioles fell short in their run to the World Series this season. However, it turned out to be a profitable pursuit. Major League Baseball announced that the Orioles' postseason share totaled $7,443,175.42, with the value of each full share being $125,288.04. The Orioles issued 52 full shares, a total of 6.25 partial shares and 36 cash awards. Players vote on the distribution of playoff money, including the amount and the recipients. For example, they awarded a share in 2012 to Triple-A...

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Orioles reassign hitting coach Jim Presley

November 24, 2014, 7:19am

Orioles

So much for the Orioles returning all of their coaches in 2015. Though the entire staff is under contract, the Orioles have reassigned hitting coach Jim Presley within the organization at his request and will begin interviewing candidates this week, according to multiple sources. Presley's reassignment is due to personal reasons, according to sources, and not related to the club's performance. He could get involved in scouting. The Orioles hired Presley, 53, as hitting coach in 2011 after he...