Roch Kubatko

Graham on Alvarez: "He could help in the big leagues next year"

November 15, 2014, 5:08pm

Orioles

Graham on Alvarez: "He could help in the big leagues next year"

While I fully expect Nick Markakis to be playing right field for the Orioles on opening day, I don't mind revisting the Dariel Alvarez question. Again, no. He isn't going to break camp with the Orioles in 2015. He wouldn't be Markakis' replacement if negotiations fell apart. Will Alvarez be in the majors at some point next season? I really like his chances. So does Brian Graham, the Orioles' director of player development, and his opinion carries a lot more weight. Alvarez, signed to an...

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Decision pending on De Aza

November 14, 2014, 4:16pm

Orioles

With all the focus on re-signing free agents Nick Markakis, Nelson Cruz and Andrew Miller - listed in order of probability - it's easy to forget that the Orioles need to decide which arbitration-eligible players are tendered contracts for 2015. Let's start with "the vast majority" and work our way up. Actually, let's start with a reminder of the 11 players, including their salaries this season and MLBTradeRumors.com's projected salaries for 2015. Alejandro De Aza: $4.25 million/$5.9...

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Burnett off the board

November 14, 2014, 11:30am

Orioles

One day after shooting down the A.J. Burnett rumor, I can pass along that the right-hander has agreed to terms with the Pirates. The news has been confirmed by multiple media outlets. Burnett's one-year deal with the Pirates is for $8.5 million, according to reports. He turned down a $12.75 million option with the Phillies in order to sign with a contender. We now live in a world where the Pirates are contenders again. The Orioles didn't make Burnett an offer, according to team officials. The...

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Checking on last winter's free agent targets and rumors

November 13, 2014, 2:11pm

Orioles

Checking on last winter's free agent targets and rumors

Now that the general managers' meetings are done, we can look forward to my version of Hell Week, more commonly known as baseball's Winter Meetings. They're so important, we use uppercase letters. The meetings will be held next month in San Diego. Beautiful weather, but it hardly matters when you spend all five days inside a hotel. You sit in the workroom, you walk around the lobby, you meet each day with Orioles officials and you wait for agent Scott Boras to make an appearance. The Rule...

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Cruz and Jones receive votes for AL MVP

November 13, 2014, 1:33pm

Orioles

Angels outfielder Mike Trout ran away with the BBWAA's Most Valuable Player award in the American League, the announcement coming tonight on MLB Network. Trout is no longer a bridesmaid or baseball's version of Susan Lucci. It wasn't enough to be nominated. He finally won - the 10th player in baseball history to be a unanimous selection. Trout batted .287/.377/.561 with 39 doubles, nine triples, 36 home runs, 111 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 157 games. He did lead the AL in strikeouts with...

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A few afternoon notes

November 13, 2014, 9:03am

Orioles

More awards will be announced tonight on MLB Network with the unveiling of the Most Valuable Players in both leagues. The Angels' Mike Trout, the Tigers' Victor Martinez and the Indians' Michael Brantley are the American League finalists. Trout is expected to win handily. I'll check whether Orioles outfielders Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz received any votes. That's the assumption. Jones finished sixth in 2012 and 13th in 2013. Cruz hasn't crashed the MVP party, but 40 home runs should get...

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Update on Wieters' rehab

November 12, 2014, 4:37pm

Orioles

Matt Wieters had his right elbow examined earlier today by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, and the news remains positive as the Orioles catcher continues his rehabilitation. "It went well," Wieters said tonight. "He said everything looked good. Just keep progressing." Andrews examined Wieters in Pensacola, Fla. He also has an office in Birmingham, Ala. Wieters underwent surgery on June 17 to replace a ligament in his right elbow, shave down a bone spur and transpose a...

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Leftovers for breakfast

November 12, 2014, 2:32pm

Orioles

The general managers' meetings conclude today in Phoenix and it's doubtful that any team will trump the Tigers' signing of free agent Victor Martinez to a four-year, $68 million deal. Martinez turns 36 in December. Nelson Cruz turns 35 in July and he wants a five-year deal. Four years may not be out of the question, but it's not likely to come from the Orioles. They just aren't comfortable going beyond three years for Cruz. I won't bore you with all the reasons again. Executive vice...

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Orioles met with Markakis' agent at GM meetings

November 12, 2014, 1:08pm

Orioles

The Orioles re-opened contract talks with the agent for right fielder Nick Markakis this afternoon during the general managers' meetings in Phoenix. Executive vice president Dan Duquette met with Markakis' representative, Jamie Murphy, one day after sitting down with Diego Bentz, the agent for outfielder Nelson Cruz. Duquette didn't indicate that a deal with Markakis is close, but it's still expected to be completed after a lull in conversations that lasted more than a week. "We've...

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Duquette updates negotiations and more on MLB Network

November 12, 2014, 9:23am

Orioles

Duquette updates negotiations and more on MLB Network

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette remains hopeful that the Orioles can re-sign outfielders Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis, and he hasn't dismissed the possibility of retaining highly coveted left-hander Andrew Miller. Duquette met with Cruz and agent Diego Bentz yesterday at the general managers' meetings in Phoenix and could sit down with Markakis' representative, Jamie Murphy, later today. Nothing is scheduled at the moment, I've heard, but there are plenty of hours left before...

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Showalter's award, negotiations and more

November 11, 2014, 5:23pm

Orioles

Showalter's award, negotiations and more

As you're going to notice from my Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot, which I've posted below, I have no issues with the Orioles' Buck Showalter being named American League Manager of the Year. Count me among the 25 voters who placed him first. My issue was deciding which manager to omit among the Angels' Mike Scioscia, the Royals' Ned Yost and the Mariners' Lloyd McClendon. Keep in mind that ballots were turned in before the playoffs. After much deliberation, I decided to...

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Buck Showalter named AL Manager of the Year

November 11, 2014, 1:57pm

Orioles

Buck Showalter named AL Manager of the Year

Orioles manager Buck Showalter still feels twinges of anger and disappointment when reflecting back on the four-game sweep in the American League Championship Series, on how his season came to a screeching halt with more baseball left to play. Awards don't heal the wounds, but they bring recognition so richly deserved after a 96-win season and the organization's first division title in 17 years. Showalter has been named American League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers'...

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Duquette named Sporting News Executive of the Year

November 10, 2014, 6:11pm

Orioles

Duquette named Sporting News Executive of the Year

The Orioles' first division title in 17 years has brought more recognition to executive vice president Dan Duquette. Duquette has been named 2014 Major League Baseball Executive of the Year by the Sporting News, the announcement coming tonight during the annual general managers' meetings in Phoenix. Duquette received his award, which has existed since 1936, after being chosen by a panel of 33 major league executives. Voting concluded before the postseason. This is the second Sporting News...

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"Because You Asked - Money Never Sleeps"

November 10, 2014, 4:13pm

Orioles

"Because You Asked - Money Never Sleeps"

The Orioles didn't factor into the Baseball Writers' Association of America Rookie of the Year voting, the results revealed last night on MLB Network. The White Sox's Jose Abreu was a unanimous choice in the American League, and none of the Orioles received a vote. The tide turns tonight. Buck Showalter is expected to be named AL Manager of the Year for the third time after being runner-up to the Angels' Mike Scioscia in the Sporting News voting. Showalter, Scioscia and the Royals' Ned...

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Cruz rejects qualifying offer

November 10, 2014, 7:19am

Orioles

With the deadline passing for players to make decisions on qualifying offers, outfielder Nelson Cruz has rejected the one extended to him last week. Cruz was assured of turning down the Orioles' $15.3 million offer. It just became official this afternoon. The Orioles will receive a compensatory draft pick if Cruz signs with another team. Teams have made 34 qualifying offers over three seasons, including 12 in 2014. None have been accepted. Cruz continues to seek a minimum four-year deal...

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Duquette set for start of GM meetings

November 09, 2014, 5:19pm

Orioles

Nelson Cruz still hasn't officially declined the Orioles' $15.3 million qualifying offer. The announcement will come later today. Meanwhile, the Orioles are trying to reach agreement with Cruz and Nick Markakis on multi-year deals. "We're still working on it," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. A deal with Markakis remains the most likely outcome. Cruz will have to come down from four years. The general managers' meetings begin today in Phoenix. Too bad they can't take the place...

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Orioles and Blue Jays discussed Adam Lind trade

November 08, 2014, 4:48pm

Orioles

The Orioles will explore trade options as well as check the free agent market while attempting to upgrade their roster. In that regard, it's going to be a typical winter. According to multiple sources, they spoke to the Blue Jays about first baseman Adam Lind and were unable to agree on a return before he was traded to the Brewers last weekend for pitcher Marco Estrada. The Jays wanted first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce, according to sources, but the Orioles weren't willing to part...

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Jones on Markakis, Showalter and his latest charitable endeavor

November 08, 2014, 11:16am

Orioles

Jones on Markakis, Showalter and his latest charitable endeavor

Adam Jones returned from last night's Rawlings Gold Glove Award ceremony in New York with continued confidence that the Orioles will re-sign Nick Markakis, whose agent remains in negotiations with the club. Jones, Markakis and shortstop J.J. Hardy received their awards last night. "I've been speaking with him a lot," Jones said following today's dedication ceremony at the Westport Boys and Girls Club in Baltimore. "We've been friends for the last seven years. Man, time's flying. "I...

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Notes on Hunter and Russell

November 07, 2014, 8:00pm

Orioles

Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter is entering his final winter of arbitration eligibility before he can test free agency. He's not losing sleep over it. Or his sense of humor. "I had a good second half for that," said Hunter, who posted a 1.77 ERA in his last 43 appearances. "It's a roller coaster, baseball is, and you try to ride those upward climbs as long as you can. Hopefully, it continues in Japan and continues next spring training, and hopefully I start off the way I ended this year and...

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Roster for Japan All-Star Series, list of minor league free agents

November 07, 2014, 6:41am

Orioles

Roster for Japan All-Star Series, list of minor league free agents

Major League Baseball released its roster today for the "Japan All-Star Series 2014," and Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter is joined by 28 other players who will compete against Samurai Japan. The pitching staff includes Jeff Beliveau (Rays), Jerry Blevins (Nationals), Chris Capuano (Yankees), Randy Choate (Cardinals), Jeremy Guthrie (Royals), Hisashi Iwakuma (Mariners), Mark Melancon (Pirates), Franklin Morales (Rockies), Hector Santiago (Angels), Matt Shoemaker (Angels), Jose Veras (Astros),...