Roch Kubatko

BBWAA announces Hall of Fame ballot

November 24, 2014, 6:12am

Orioles

Five former Orioles are included on the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot, which was released today by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The ballot contains 17 newcomers and 17 holdovers, and is being mailed this week to more than 575 voting members of the BBWAA. The former Orioles are pitchers Mike Mussina, Curt Schilling and Lee Smith, and outfielders Tim Raines and Sammy Sosa. The list of newcomers to the ballot includes pitchers Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz, infielder...

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Melky Cabrera a "fallback option" for the Orioles

November 23, 2014, 5:11pm

Orioles

So how do you feel about Melky Cabrera? I'm just curious, since I've heard from multiple people that he's a "fallback option" for the Orioles if they can't re-sign Nick Markakis. His name has been discussed. He's on the radar, as the kids say. Cabrera's 50-game suspension after testing positive for testosterone occurred two years ago, one month after he was named Most Valuable Player in the All-Star Game. If the Orioles were able to overlook Nelson Cruz's suspension, signing him to a...

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Thoughts on Wieters and Davis

November 22, 2014, 8:48pm

Orioles

One of the more popular questions that I receive in television and radio interviews centers on the Orioles' intentions with catcher Matt Wieters and first baseman Chris Davis, both pending free agents following the 2015 season. Rather than being asked about possible contract extensions, the inquiries are aimed at whether the Orioles will consider trading Wieters and Davis over the winter or during the season. They're both represented by Scott Boras, who usually wants his clients to test the...

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Buck Britton signs with Dodgers (updated)

November 22, 2014, 5:40am

Orioles

Buck Britton signs with Dodgers (updated)

The Orioles wanted to re-sign infielder Buck Britton, who spent seven years in their organization before becoming a minor league free agent. However, they sensed that he had a better offer waiting for him and figured they were going to lose him. Sure enough, the Dodgers signed Britton to a minor league contract today that most likely includes an invitation to spring training. Update: Britton did receive a spring invite, and his contract includes an opt-out clause. Britton, 28, tweeted the...

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Machado has green light to move over to shortstop if needed

November 21, 2014, 6:42pm

Orioles

Machado has green light to move over to shortstop if needed

Once the ink dried on J.J. Hardy's three-year contract extension on Oct. 10, the talk of possibly moving Manny Machado from third base to shortstop on a regular basis was silenced. The Orioles didn't give Hardy $40 million so he could change positions. He's the shortstop. While there's no disputing Hardy's placement in the infield, what happens if he's lost to injury for an extended period? For the first time, Orioles manager Buck Showalter is willing to move Machado to...

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Orioles sign Janish to minor league deal (updated with two more signings)

November 21, 2014, 10:09am

Orioles

The Orioles have been negotiating with the agents for free agent infielders Paul Janish and Rey Navarro with the intent of signing both players. A club official has confirmed that they reached agreement today with Janish. One down, one to go. Janish signed a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training. Janish, 32, hit a combined .268/.323/.359 this year in 113 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs and Triple-A Omaha. Selected by the Reds in the fifth round of the 2004...

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A few afternoon notes

November 21, 2014, 9:15am

Orioles

The Orioles are continuing with their attempts to sign minor league free-agent shortstop Rey Navarro and talks are progressing, according to sources. They're making a strong push for him. Keep in mind that the Orioles have 37 players on their 40-man roster after yesterday's maneuvering. Navarro, 24, batted a combined .282/.343/.435 this season with 34 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 57 RBIs in 132 games at Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville in the Reds organization. He's a...

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Orioles sign Rey Navarro to major league deal

November 21, 2014, 5:15am

Orioles

The Orioles left three spots open on their 40-man roster Thursday as the midnight deadline approached to set it before the Rule 5 draft. They intended to add another player to it. They just needed infielder Rey Navarro to accept their major league offer. It's a done deal. Navarro, 24, has agreed to terms with the Orioles after becoming a minor league free agent, according to an industry source. They gave him a major league contract, pending a physical, in order to secure him. Plenty of teams...

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Orioles not interested in Jimenez-Swisher trade

November 20, 2014, 12:31pm

Orioles

Back at the 2012 Winter Meetings in Nashville, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette sat down with agent Dan Lozano to gauge whether his club might be a match for free agent outfielder Nick Swisher. The Orioles were among four teams to meet with Lozano that day. Duquette viewed Swisher as a possible replacement for free agent left fielder Nate McLouth, as well as a player who could shift to first base or serve as the designated hitter - all areas of need. On that same day, Duquette...

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Orioles select contracts of Wright and Wilson (with Duquette quotes)

November 20, 2014, 11:32am

Orioles

The Orioles announced today that they selected the contracts of right-handers Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson, protecting them from the Rule 5 draft that will be held on the final day of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 11 in San Diego. The Orioles have 37 players on their 40-man roster. They're expected to make a selection in the Rule 5 draft. Wilson, 25, was chosen as the organization's minor league Pitcher of the Year after going a combined 14-8 with a 3.67 ERA in 28 starts between Double-A Bowie...

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Orioles claim Alex Hassan off waivers

November 20, 2014, 9:09am

Orioles

The Orioles put in a waiver claim on outfielder Alex Hassan earlier this week and lost him to the Athletics. Today the Orioles got him. The team announced that it claimed Hassan off waivers and added him to the 40-man roster, which now contains 35 players as we approach the midnight deadline. Hassan, a 20th-round pick of the Red Sox in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Duke University, made his major league debut this summer and went 1-for-8 with five strikeouts. The A's claimed him on...

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Davis talks about suspension on radio station, another minor league signing

November 20, 2014, 7:12am

Orioles

Davis talks about suspension on radio station, another minor league signing

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis declined to speak with reporters following Game 4 of the American League Championship Series in Kansas City, a loss that completed the Royals' sweep. However, he spoke about his 25-game suspension this week during an appearance on a Baltimore radio station. Interviewed on WRBS-FM, a contemporary Christian music station also known as 95.1 SHINE-FM, Davis expressed regret over his suspension for using Adderall without a therapeutic use exemption. "I haven't...

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Notes on Young, Jimenez, De Aza, minors and more

November 19, 2014, 5:24pm

Orioles

Notes on Young, Jimenez, De Aza, minors and more

The Orioles remain open to re-signing free agent outfielder Delmon Young, who evolved into baseball's best pinch-hitter this season. However, Young is looking for a two-year deal, which doesn't figure to provide a match. If Young returns to Baltimore, the agreement likely would cover only the 2015 season. Young, naturally, will seek a lengthier contract after auditioning for the Orioles at their minicamp in January and settling for a minor league deal. Young batted .302/.337/.442 with 11...

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Orioles re-sign Almanzar and Jones, sign seven others to minor league deals

November 19, 2014, 7:23am

Orioles

The Orioles are taking care of minor league business today, re-signing infielder Michael Almanzar and left-hander Chris Jones, and signing seven players from outside the organization. Also signed were left-handers Frank Gailey and Ronan Pacheco, infielder/outfielder Derrik Gibson, shortstop Ozzie Martinez and right-handers Tim Gustafson, Kenn Kasparek and Mikey O'Brien. I wrote about Martinez on Monday. His signing became official today. Gibson, 24, may be the most intriguing. The Red Sox...

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Should Orioles consider dealing Norris?

November 18, 2014, 1:53pm

Orioles

Six starters for five spots in the rotation. The math still hasn't changed, no matter how often I check the figures. No matter how often I use the calculator on my iPhone. No matter how often I remove my shoes and count on my own. The Orioles are always in the market for pitching, but they most certainly will listen to offers for their starters. Of course, that includes Kevin Gausman. No one is untouchable. But they'd have to be blown away by a proposal. It would have to be so obscene, it...

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Orioles re-sign Drake

November 18, 2014, 12:13pm

Orioles

The Orioles are keeping pitcher Oliver Drake in the organization, signing him today to a major league contract. Drake, who has options remaining, became a minor league free agent following the season and drew enough interest that the Orioles inked him to a major league deal. He's added to the 40-man roster for the second time in his professional career. Drake, chosen in the 43rd round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of the Naval Academy, went 2-4 with a 3.08 ERA and an Eastern...

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Duke deal must make Miller want more

November 18, 2014, 9:26am

Orioles

If the floor seems to be vibrating beneath your feet, it's just reliever Andrew Miller jumping up and down. The guy is 6-foot-7. The tremors are going to travel. The White Sox announced today that they signed left-handed reliever Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million contract. Duke, 31, will be paid $4.5 million in 2015, $5 million in 2016 and $5.5 million in 2017, according to the team's press release. By the way, kudos to the White Sox for announcing the terms of the contract and not...

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A sizzling day in the hot stove season, more on Miller and wondering about Wieters

November 17, 2014, 4:51pm

Orioles

A sizzling day in the hot stove season, more on Miller and wondering about Wieters

The temperature soared on baseball's hot stove yesterday with news that the Marlins signed Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year extension worth $325 million, the largest contract in the history of sports, the Blue Jays signed free agent catcher Russell Martin and the Braves traded outfielder Jason Heyward to the Cardinals for pitcher Shelby Miller. Pitchers Jordan Walden and Tyrell Jenkins also were involved in the deal, but Heyward-for-Miller was enough to grab the attention of the baseball...

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Orioles sign infielder Ozzie Martinez

November 17, 2014, 4:55am

Orioles

Searching for middle infield depth, the Orioles have signed Ozzie Martinez to a minor league contract. A team official confirmed the transaction. Martinez, 26, batted .288/.340/.350 with 11 doubles and two triples in 78 games with Triple-A Gwinnett in the Braves organization. He also played in 33 games at Double-A Chattanooga in the Dodgers system. Martinez, an 11th-round pick by the Marlins in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, has played shortstop, second base, third base and the outfield in...

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Nothing new with Markakis over the weekend

November 16, 2014, 5:14pm

Orioles

Nothing new with Markakis over the weekend

The weekend passed without the Orioles reaching agreement with right fielder Nick Markakis on a four-year contract. It doesn't appear that the two sides have additional talks scheduled at the moment. Of course, that can change in a hurry, but it's pretty quiet. Nothing was arranged heading into last week's general managers' meetings in Phoenix, but Markakis' agent, Jamie Murphy, and Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette spoke on Wednesday. The lines of communication can open up...