Roch Kubatko

Leftovers from O'Day at FanFest

February 02, 2015, 9:01am

Orioles

I'm a huge fan of sarcasm unless it's coming from my doctor, and Orioles reliever Darren O'Day brought it strong at Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. Meeting with the media behind the main stage, O'Day was asked what ran through his mind during the week that the Orioles lost free agents Nelson Cruz, Nick Markakis and Andrew Miller to free agency and reports surfaced in early December that the Blue Jays were courting executive vice president Dan Duquette. "How are we...

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More from Davis at FanFest

February 01, 2015, 8:04am

Orioles

One of the lasting images for me at FanFest on Saturday was first baseman Chris Davis sporting his usual winter beard and a smile that hadn't been seen by reporters in almost five months. We also hadn't heard from him since the Game 4 loss to the Royals in the American League Championship Series, when he politely declined comment. He sat silently on a couch as we filed in, staring at one of the televisions, and later hugged a few teammates before heading for the exit. That was it. Davis was...

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Britton on his contract, last season and 2015

January 31, 2015, 5:04pm

Orioles

Britton on his contract, last season and 2015

We've flipped the page on the calendar and the Orioles need to pick up the pace and get closer Zach Britton signed for the 2015 season. A hearing will take place later this month if the sides don't reach agreement. Britton submitted at $4.2 million and the Orioles countered at $2.2 million. He made $521,500 last season. Asked at FanFest if he had any updates, Britton replied, "No. We're still in the negotiation process. We have some time up until the hearing. We're just in the process. Not...

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Hearing from Wieters and Young as another FanFest ends

January 31, 2015, 1:01pm

Orioles

Hearing from Wieters and Young as another FanFest ends

Fans are filing out of the Baltimore Convention Center, marking the end of another FanFest. The attendance exceeded 16,000 despite all the griping about how the Orioles aren't trying to improve following their division title and that they're likely to finish in last place. Maybe folks were just trying to get warm. Orioles catcher Matt Wieters remains optimistic that he'll be ready on opening day. So far so good. However, he won't really know until he starts playing in exhibition...

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Jones: "I still think we're going to have a very, very strong and formidable team"

January 31, 2015, 11:43am

Orioles

Jones: "I still think we're going to have a very, very strong and formidable team"

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones talked to reporters for about six minutes today, enough time to comment on predictions that the club will finish in last place, free agent losses and the Dan Duquette saga. Here's a sampling: On being picked to finish last: "Cool. Weren't we supposed to finish last the last 4-5 years? Keep it that way. I think we like that. It's not bothering me. I know we've had a slow offseason due to (Nick) Markakis' departure, (Nelson) Cruz's departure, (Andrew)...

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Jimenez on last season and looking ahead to 2015

January 31, 2015, 10:16am

Orioles

Jimenez on last season and looking ahead to 2015

The Orioles announced that today's FanFest event has attracted more than 16,000 fans. The record is 18,000 in 2013. Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that left-hander Mark Hendrickson will receive an invitation to major league camp. Hendrickson threw at the minicamp earlier this month. Ubaldo Jimenez already is set to report with the pitchers and catchers. He's hoping that a mechanical adjustment in September will bring better results after going 6-9 with a 4.81 ERA and 1.516...

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Hearing from Davis, Norris and Wright

January 31, 2015, 8:27am

Orioles

The Baltimore Convention Center is packed today with fans attending the annual FanFest event. Enthusiasm is running high despite the free agent losses and national projections that the team won't return to the playoffs. "They're picking us last again, which is beautiful," said manager Buck Showalter. First baseman Chris Davis confirmed that he received an exemption to take Adderall after being denied in 2013. He's annoyed by the perception that his 53 home runs in 2012 were fueled by...

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Duquette and Davis at FanFest

January 31, 2015, 6:50am

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette received a nice ovation today, with many fans rising to their feet as he was introduced at FanFest for the Q&A forum for season ticket holders. Manager Buck Showalter received a prolonged standing ovation, as expected. The reception for Duquette was the real curiosity following reports all winter that he might leave for Toronto. "Sometimes there is substance to them and sometimes there isn't," Duquette said. "There was substance to it, but I...

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Now and then

January 30, 2015, 7:21pm

Orioles

The Orioles are holding their annual FanFest today at the Baltimore Convention Center, which figures to keep me busy for approximately 12 hours. I tend to arrive early and stay late. Players, former players, executives and coaches will meet with reporters throughout the day behind the main stage, giving us 10-15 minutes to interview each one. We may need more time with Chris Davis, who joins Manny Machado, Tommy Hunter and Chris Tillman in the first wave around 11 a.m. I talked to Machado,...

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Orioles sign Steve Pearce, minor leaguer Austin Anderson suspended

January 30, 2015, 11:24am

Orioles

The Orioles are down to three unsigned arbitration players after agreeing to terms today with Steve Pearce on a contract for the 2015 season. Pearce will receive $3.7 million, exactly at the midpoint after the sides exchanged figures. Pearce submitted $5.4 million and the Orioles countered at $2 million. He made $850,000 last season. It was a breakout year for Pearce after the Orioles released him on April 25 and re-signed him four days later. He set career highs in games (102), plate...

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Snider on his past failings and new opportunity with the Orioles

January 30, 2015, 7:42am

Orioles

The Orioles made newly acquired outfielder Travis Snider available to the media this morning on a conference call that lasted about 15 minutes and also included executive vice president Dan Duquette. Here's a sampling of quotes from Snider: On his reaction to the trade: "It's always a little bit of a surprise just the way things transpired. Going into the offseason, my wife and I had conversations, and family members, about the possibility of finding a different organization, and at that...

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Leftovers for breakfast

January 29, 2015, 6:37pm

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette fielded questions for about an hour last night at the Aberdeen IronBirds' annual Hot Stove Banquet, which drew a crowd of roughly 100 fans at Ripken Stadium. Duquette's interest in the Blue Jays' job was barely mentioned, and he responded by noting the lack of activity last winter before the Orioles reported to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in February. He joked that the club actually is "ahead of schedule" this year. End of topic. Duquette...

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Duquette: "I've been focused on helping the Orioles all winter"

January 29, 2015, 2:07pm

Orioles

ABERDEEN, Md. - Relaxing on a leather sofa in one of the suites at Ripken Stadium, dinner and a Q&A session with fans coming later in the evening, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette was asked to describe an offseason that kept him in the news for reasons beyond making trades and signing free agents. "Interesting," he said with a chuckle. "It's been interesting. I'm not used to being a trade rumor." Before arriving at the ballpark for the IronBirds' annual Hot Stove...

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This, that and the other

January 28, 2015, 7:16pm

Orioles

The Orioles still haven't released their camp roster for spring training, including the invites, because they're continuing to work on it. More decisions were made yesterday. We must remain patient. It sounds as though the Orioles are leaning toward inviting veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson, who had a tryout earlier this month at the minicamp in Sarasota. Hendrickson has lowered his arm slot to the point where he's more of a submarine stylist. Factor in his 6-foot-9 frame and it's quite...

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MASN to air seven Orioles games this spring

January 28, 2015, 5:29pm

Orioles

Seven of the Orioles' spring training games this year will air on MASN HD, beginning with the March 5 game against the Blue Jays in Sarasota. The Blue Jays have been attached to the Orioles all winter. May as well keep it going in the spring. All seven games will be played at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The four afternoon games will be replayed the same day in prime time on MASN HD. No need to quit your jobs just so you can stay home. The complete MASN HD spring training schedule for the...

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Waiting on the PTBNL in the Snider trade (with another note)

January 28, 2015, 8:51am

Orioles

Waiting on the PTBNL in the Snider trade (with another note)

I'm told that the player to be named later in last night's Travis Snider trade with the Pirates won't be determined until spring training. That leaves plenty of time for fans to ask about the PTBNL in the Travis Snider trade. Let me remind everyone that there was no PTBNL in the Chad Bradford deal on Aug. 7, 2008. It was a cash transaction. But it's still fun to bring it up. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington told reporters in Pittsburgh that the PTBNL will be similar to left-hander...

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More on the trade, Ohlman and Wieters

January 27, 2015, 5:39pm

Orioles

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Pirates for not asking the Orioles about the availability of Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. See, that's how you get a deal done. You can't judge this deal until finding out whether pitcher Stephen Tarpley reaches the majors and makes an impact with the Pirates. Until learning the identity of the player to be named later and how he progresses. Until finding out whether Travis Snider can fill a chunk of the void left by the departure of right fielder Nick...

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Orioles acquire Travis Snider from Pirates

January 27, 2015, 3:49pm

Orioles

The deal is done. The Orioles have acquired outfielder Travis Snider from the Pirates for minor league left-hander Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later. To make room for Snider on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated catcher Michael Ohlman for assignment. "Snider is a solid, dependable power-hitting outfielder and is an excellent fit for Camden Yards," executive vice president Dan Duquette wrote in a text message. "Should be a good addition to the club at bat and in...

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Orioles trying again to acquire Snider from Pirates

January 27, 2015, 1:20pm

Orioles

The Orioles are getting closer to acquiring outfielder Travis Snider from the Pirates, according to multiple sources. One source said the sides rekindled talks a few weeks ago. Another source indicated that the Orioles are trying to limit the return to one minor leaguer. The player going to the Pirates at this stage wouldn't be on the 40-man roster and most likely would be a lower-level pitcher. The Orioles discussed Snider with the Pirates at the Winter Meetings in San Diego and...

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Orioles won't raise ticket prices in 2015 (updated)

January 27, 2015, 8:22am

Orioles

Despite the delay in releasing price information, the Orioles won't increase the cost of their season and single-game tickets in 2015, according to a source. The Orioles notified their season ticket holders that they will receive plan information via email on Feb. 2. In previous years this information has been available in December, which led to speculation that the Orioles might raise prices. Last year's increase in season ticket prices, which averaged about five percent, was the first...