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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The Blue Jays' announcement yesterday that Paul Beeston would return in 2015 as president and CEO shouldn't be viewed as breaking news. We heard about it as far back as the Winter Meetings. The team simply was offering confirmation.
I'm not ready to close the door on the Dan Duquette saga. The Jays will need a replacement for Beeston in 2016 and beyond.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter was the first call-in guest last night on "The Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 Tjhe Fan. He wasn't going to...
The Orioles reached agreement with pitcher Bud Norris on a deal for 2015, leaving four arbitration-eligible players without contracts for the upcoming season.
Norris will make a guaranteed $8.8 million this year. He submitted $10.25 million on the day that sides exchanged salary figures, and the Orioles countered at $7.5 million.
The deal includes a possible $25,000 for reaching 180 innings and another $25,000 for reaching 200 innings. Norris could receive $50,000 for making the All-Star...
The Orioles found a left-handed hitting outfielder today, signing former first-round pick Chris Parmelee to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
The club also announced that it signed right-hander Dane De La Rosa to a minor league deal, and it confirmed the Steve Johnson signing that was reported a few days ago. They also receive invitations to spring training.
Parmelee has been on the Orioles' radar for more than a month. He declined an outright assignment to...
Orioles manager Buck Showalter compared the Blue Jays' interest in executive vice president Dan Duquette to teams pursuing free agents on the roster during his call-in segment this morning on 105.7 The Fan.
Showalter didn't go into any detail regarding the Blue Jays' attempts to make Duquette their president and CEO. A report out of Toronto yesterday stated that negotiations have ended and Toronto will move in another direction. I've been told that the Orioles aren't aware of the Blue...
Another lazy and uneventful Sunday? Not this one.
The Orioles settled on a 2015 contract with infielder Ryan Flaherty and the Blue Jays may have decided again that they were done negotiating to acquire executive vice president Dan Duquette.
I'll pause to let you catch your breath.
The Orioles have settled with six of their 11 arbitration-eligible players. In case you missed it last night, here are the remaining five and the figures that were exchanged:
* Alejandro De Aza submitted $5.65...
The Orioles are down to five arbitration-eligible players without contracts for 2015.
Infielder Ryan Flaherty has settled tonight at $1.075 million to avoid a potential hearing next month. His contract includes an additional $25,000 for 400 plate appearances.
Flaherty, 28, submitted $1.5 million and the Orioles countered at $900,000. He made $513,000 last season while batting .221/.288/.356 with 15 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 32 RBIs in 102 games and 312 plate appearances.
"Glad...
Has the story of the Blue Jays pursuing Dan Duquette for the position of president and CEO finally reached its conclusion?
Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, reported today that the Blue Jays have ended negotiations to acquire Duquette due to the Orioles' insistence on receiving three top prospects.
I'm told that the Orioles have no knowledge of the Blue Jays' current intentions regarding Duquette. One person close to the situation said there were no real negotiations because the Orioles rejected...
What are the chances that Major League Baseball honors Hall of Famer Ernie Banks by instructing every team to play one single-admission doubleheader?
Slim and none, I'm sure, but what a gesture.
Let's all vow to set aside a day and play two. It doesn't have to be baseball, either. Get as creative as you want.
Who am I to judge?
Former Orioles executive Jim Duquette, now a baseball analyst on MLB Network Radio, tackled more questions yesterday about his cousin Dan Duquette on "Wall to...
What I am about to write is in no way intended to diminish Dan Duquette's impact on the Orioles since they hired him in November 2011 as executive vice president of baseball operations.
Duquette has played a significant role in the club's three consecutive winning seasons and two playoff berths. He's become the master of the depth move and has a knack for plugging holes. His commitment to the international market, though tamed by the franchise's reluctance to spend on big-ticket items, is...
The Orioles made a minor deal tonight, acquiring left-hander Daniel Rodriguez from the Braves for cash considerations.
Executive vice president Dan Duquette said Rodriguez will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk's roster. He won't receive an invitation to spring training, "but we'll probably take a look at him," Duquette said.
Rodriguez, 30, was 6-13 with a 5.04 ERA and 1.464 WHIP in 29 appearances (21 starts) last season for Triple-A Gwinnett. Left-handed hitters posted a .241/.308/.345...