Roch Kubatko

Seven Orioles included on list of current free agents

October 30, 2014, 8:40am

Orioles

Free agency officially began this morning with 121 players becoming eligible to hit the market. They may negotiate with other teams beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 4. This is only a partial list. Another 32 players may be eligible for free agency pending the option provisions in their contracts. For example, the Royals aren't expected to pick up the $12.5 million option on Billy Butler's contract. If you don't mind a full-time designated hitter, he's your guy. The Orioles currently have...

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Time to stock the shelves in the free agent market

October 29, 2014, 1:51pm

Orioles

Time to stock the shelves in the free agent market

The World Series has finally come to an end, with Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner flushing the Royals in Game 7 while carrying an entire team on his back. Don't try it at home. My rooting interest was having seven close games with lots of late-inning drama. Most of them were blowouts, but not last night's finale. A World Series Game 7 has got to be the finest event in sports. As long as the Orioles aren't playing the Pirates, of course. Too soon. And I'm still talking about...

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Orioles outright Meek

October 29, 2014, 9:40am

Orioles

The Orioles cleared another spot on their 40-man roster this afternoon by outrighting reliever Evan Meek to Triple-A Norfolk. Meek, who signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in February following a tryout at Camden Yards during FanFest, cleared waivers before coming off the roster. He can refuse the assignment and become a free agent. Meek, 31, went 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 23 1/3 innings over 23 games with the Orioles and 2-0 with a 1.94 ERA and 16 saves in 41 2/3 innings over 39 games...

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Will Young be too restless to remain with Orioles?

October 28, 2014, 4:42pm

Orioles

If the Orioles want to hold onto pending free agent Delmon Young, they need to hope that another team doesn't promise him regular playing time. Or they could try to find it for him. Either way, Young isn't looking for another part-time role where his greatest contribution comes off the bench. He's not interested in repeating as one of baseball's better bargains. "I'm sure Delmon would love to play every day and we hope we can find that opportunity for him," said Young's representative,...

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Taking a look at three possible reunions

October 27, 2014, 4:42pm

Orioles

Taking a look at three possible reunions

While the Orioles continue negotiations to sign right fielder Nick Markakis to an extension and discuss which arbitration-eligible players may be non-tendered at the deadline, they also must figure out whether to bring back three former players who gladly would take part in a reunion. Outfielder Nolan Reimold already elected free agency earlier this month after appearing in seven games with the Diamondbacks, his third organization in 2014, and relievers Koji Uehara and Jim Johnson will hit the...

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Two Orioles prospects named to AFL showcase game

October 27, 2014, 10:28am

Orioles

Right-hander Parker Bridwell and catcher Michael Ohlman have been chosen to the Arizona Fall League's Fall Stars Game, to be played Nov. 1 in Scottsdale. Bridwell and Ohlman will play for the West Division team. Triple-A Norfolk's Mike Griffin will be the club's co-pitching coach. The game will air on MLB Network at 8:08 p.m. Eastern time. The Orioles must decide whether to protect Bridwell, 23, in the Rule 5 draft after he went 7-10 with a 4.45 ERA in 26 starts at Single-A Frederick....

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This and that

October 26, 2014, 8:09pm

Orioles

The Giants had must-win games in the World Series the past two nights, and they won. Going back to Kansas City doesn't seem quite as daunting when you're up 3-2. And imagine if they could squeeze another start out of Madison Bumgarner. I'd find a way. Bumgarner is an absolute stud, one who's truly worthy of the "Big Game" moniker. He certainly was worth the 10th overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. The nine players chosen before him? David Price (Rays), Mike Moustakas...

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Showalter: "I don't want anybody to be satisfied"

October 25, 2014, 3:28pm

Orioles

Showalter: "I don't want anybody to be satisfied"

If you're still hurting over the Orioles being swept by the Royals in the American League Championship Series, manager Buck Showalter feels your pain. It's fine to appreciate what the Orioles accomplished in 2014 - the American League East title, the sweep in the Division Series - but the bar finally has been raised in Baltimore. "I don't want anybody to be satisfied," Showalter said yesterday after calling into "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN. "I want everybody to hold us to a high...

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Orioles working on their 40-man moves

October 24, 2014, 8:51pm

Orioles

The Orioles began the process of clearing room on their 40-man roster yesterday by outrighting pitcher Steve Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk. Johnson will become a free agent after the World Series and must decide whether to sign a minor league deal or change organizations. Don't jump to the conclusion that the Orioles are about to make a bold move to fill the spot. This is routine roster maintenance in the offseason. The Orioles need to protect some minor leaguers in the Rule 5 draft,...

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Steve Johnson on being outrighted: "Obviously, it's a business move"

October 24, 2014, 11:06am

Orioles

Steve Johnson on being outrighted: "Obviously, it's a business move"

Steve Johnson said he's going to speak with his agent and weigh his options before deciding whether to re-sign with the Orioles, who outrighted him today to Triple-A Norfolk after he cleared waivers. Johnson can refuse the assignment because he's been outrighted previously, but it's a moot point. He's eligible for free agency after the World Series due to his service time. "Either way, it doesn't matter," said Johnson, who is recovering from surgery last month to shave down a bone spur...

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Steve Johnson outrighted to Norfolk (updated)

October 24, 2014, 10:16am

Orioles

Steve Johnson outrighted to Norfolk (updated)

The Orioles have outrighted pitcher Steve Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk, removing him from the 40-man roster. Johnson, 26, was 0-3 with a 6.23 ERA in 17 starts between Norfolk (13 starts), short-season Single-A Aberdeen (three) and the Gulf Coast Orioles (one). He went on the disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder and underwent surgery on Sept. 24 to shave down a bone spur behind the shoulder. The spur affected his control, as he averaged 7.2 walks per nine innings in the...

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Does Schoop stay on second base?

October 23, 2014, 6:19pm

Orioles

I was going to start this entry by giving my Gold Glove predictions, but I honestly have no idea whether the Orioles will take home any hardware. I'm constantly surprised by the results. Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain wasn't nominated and I'm pretty sure he catches every ball hit in every ballpark. Maybe he's being punished for moving to right. It's a tribute to his defensive skills, but perhaps it hurt his chances in the balloting. I don't know. All three Orioles - J.J. Hardy, Adam...

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Three Orioles named Gold Glove finalists (updated)

October 23, 2014, 9:32am

Orioles

Shortstop J.J. Hardy, center fielder Adam Jones and right fielder Nick Markakis have been nominated for the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards. The winners will be announced on Nov. 4 on ESPN2 beginning at 7 p.m. The ceremonies will be held on Nov. 7 in New York. The Orioles had six nominees last year, but they have to settle for half that total in 2014. The selection process is approximately 75 percent votes submitted by managers and coaches - up to seven total votes per team - and 25 percent...

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Stinson signs with Pirates

October 23, 2014, 7:11am

Orioles

Former Orioles reliever Josh Stinson has signed a minor league deal with the Pirates that includes an invitation to spring training. Stinson became a minor league free agent earlier this month after going 5-5 with a 5.48 ERA in 22 games (13 starts) at Triple-A Norfolk. Stinson made the Orioles' opening day roster after allowing two unearned runs and striking out 13 in nine exhibition innings. However, he surrendered nine runs and 16 hits in 13 innings over eight appearances for a 6.23 ERA...

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Showalter on Duquette hiring: "The timing was right with everybody"

October 22, 2014, 2:49pm

Orioles

Showalter on Duquette hiring: "The timing was right with everybody"

The Orioles aren't feeling the love from opposing managers and executives in the American League. Buck Showalter finished second in Manager of the Year voting in the Sporting News and none of the Orioles were chosen as All-Stars. Don't shoot the messenger. The Sporting News staff isn't doing the voting, just tabulating the results and passing them along. Besides, the Orioles honestly don't care about that stuff. Given the choice, they prefer to fly so far under the radar that their...

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Angelos: "It's been a long time coming and thankfully I believe it's here"

October 22, 2014, 2:20pm

Orioles

Angelos: "It's been a long time coming and thankfully I believe it's here"

Now that the Orioles have strung together three consecutive winning seasons and won their first division title in 17 years, they're determined to bring the city it's first championship since 1983. Owner Peter Angelos likes the direction that the club is headed and believes that it can reach its goal. The Orioles signed shortstop J.J. Hardy to a three-year extension during the playoffs and seem determined to get a deal done with right fielder Nick Markakis. Nelson Cruz won't receive a...

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Orioles excluded from Sporting News All-Star team

October 22, 2014, 8:20am

Orioles

The Orioles aren't playing in the World Series and they still haven't received a Sporting News postseason award. Tough week. Baseball executives excluded the Orioles while choosing the American League All-Star team, which was announced this morning. Shortstop J.J. Hardy, outfielder Adam Jones and designated hitter Nelson Cruz received votes. Cruz batted .271/333/.525 with 32 doubles and 108 RBIs and he led the majors with 40 home runs, but executives selected the Tigers' Victor Martinez,...

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World Series thoughts and the next award

October 21, 2014, 7:08pm

Orioles

World Series thoughts and the next award

At what point is James Shields required to hand over his nickname of "Big Game?" At what point will sportswriters refer to it only in jest? Shields was charged with five runs in three-plus innings last night in Game 1 of the World Series, leaving his career postseason ERA at 5.74 in 10 starts. "Big Game" may work if he's hunting in Africa. Otherwise ... Shields reportedly passed a kidney stone after the American League Championship Series. I wonder what was more painful. Shields is...

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Showalter runner-up for Sporting News award

October 21, 2014, 7:46am

Orioles

Showalter runner-up for Sporting News award

Orioles manager Buck Showalter finished second in voting for the Sporting News American League Manager of the Year award. The Angels' Mike Scioscia received six votes to edge out Showalter, who was runner-up with five. The Mariners' Lloyd McClendon placed third with three votes. The Nationals' Matt Williams was named National League Manager of the Year after receiving four votes. The Cardinals' Mike Matheny received two votes and the Marlins' Mike Redmond one. Ballots were submitted by...

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Notes on Cruz, Roberts, Davis and more

October 20, 2014, 4:34pm

Orioles

I've decided to begin the morning by addressing one rumor and squelching speculation about a former Oriole. I received a tweet about a Facebook status - yeah, so far it's rock solid - claiming that Nelson Cruz was buying a television in Baltimore for his mother because he received a new contract from the Orioles. Stop laughing. I have no idea whether Cruz purchased a TV, but I've been told by three people in the industry that he doesn't have a contract with the Orioles. He can become a free...