Roch Kubatko

Young signing expected today

January 07, 2015, 3:58pm

Orioles

The Orioles are expected later today to announce the signing of outfielder Delmon Young to a one-year contract. Young agreed to terms Dec. 24 on a deal that guarantees him $2.25 million and includes a possible $750,000 in incentives. Who comes off the 40-man roster to make room? Stay tuned. Here's the roster again. Give me your prediction: Pitchers Tim Berry Brad Brach Zach Britton Dylan Bundy Wei-Yin Chen Oliver Drake Eddie Gamboa Jason Garcia Kevin Gausman Miguel Gonzalez Tommy...

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More on Hall of Fame voting and Delmon Young

January 06, 2015, 4:14pm

Orioles

More on Hall of Fame voting and Delmon Young

Yesterday's Hall of Fame announcement was followed by the usual kicking and screaming over how the voters got it wrong again by denying players accused of cheating. Or they got it right by excluding those players. Either way, lots and lots of kicking and screaming. Always a good time. What's worse, deserving players failing to receive the required number of votes, or Darin Erstad receiving one? I'm going with the latter. That's what makes a mockery of the process. Next time, just sell your...

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Biggio, Johnson, P. Martinez and Smoltz elected to Hall of Fame

January 06, 2015, 9:24am

Orioles

Biggio, Johnson, P. Martinez and Smoltz elected to Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., will open its doors to four inductees this summer, the largest class in 55 years. The Baseball Writers' Association of America has voted in second baseman Craig Biggio and pitchers Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz. Biggio fell short by two votes last year. Candidates must be named on 75 percent of ballots cast by BBWAA members with 10 or more consecutive years of Major League Baseball coverage to gain election. Johnson received 97.3...

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FanFest tickets on sale today

January 06, 2015, 6:26am

Orioles

The Orioles announced that tickets for their annual FanFest go on sale today. The event will be held Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center, with early entry for Orioles season plan members to begin at 10 a.m. as part of the Orange Carpet Program. Tickets are available online at www.orioles.com/fanfest, via phone at 1-888-848-BIRD, at the Camden Yards box office and at the official team store at the York Galleria in York, Pa. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for...

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This, that and the other

January 05, 2015, 2:56pm

Orioles

Two years ago, the Orioles signed veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson to a minor league deal after he threw at Camden Yards during their minicamp. He spent the entire season at Triple-A Norfolk. Hendrickson will take another shot at it next week. He's been invited to attend the minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, where he will throw for manager Buck Showalter, pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. Hendrickson, 40, hasn't pitched in the majors since making...

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More on Orioles' minicamp (note on Stu Miller)

January 05, 2015, 11:35am

Orioles

Third baseman Manny Machado, recovering from surgery on his right knee, will be in Sarasota on the final day of the Orioles' minicamp on Jan. 14 to allow manager Buck Showalter and various staff and medical personnel to check his health and watch him work out. Machado had surgery on Aug. 27 to repair a partially torn ligament. He underwent a similar procedure on his left knee in 2013. The Orioles expect Machado to be ready for opening day. He's been working out in Sarasota, but he took time...

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Who's up first?

January 04, 2015, 7:13pm

Orioles

The Orioles still want to add a left-handed hitting outfielder, reliever and catcher before opening day on April 6. Their shopping list is written out clearly. No smudges. What remains unclear to me is who's going to bat first in the lineup. Nick Markakis is gone, having signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the Braves. He was the Orioles' leadoff hitter in 148 games last season. Now what? I never received a clear answer when I asked executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager...

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Rasmus, Aoki and Ethier still among Orioles' outfield options

January 03, 2015, 5:18pm

Orioles

While the Orioles apparently still rate Colby Rasmus as their likeliest choice among available left-handed hitting outfielders, they haven't eliminated two others from the discussion. They maintain a lower level of interest in free agent Nori Aoki and have engaged in trade talks with the Dodgers regarding Andre Ethier, according to an industry source. Earlier this winter, the Orioles checked on Matt Kemp but decided against pursuing him due to his contract and health issues, and the Dodgers'...

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Young taking physical next week

January 03, 2015, 2:25pm

Orioles

Having reached agreement with Delmon Young on a one-year deal on Christmas Eve, the Orioles still need the outfielder to take his physical before they can make it official. The Orioles knew that the physical wouldn't get done before Jan. 1. I was told today that Young will take it on Wednesday in Baltimore. No rush, I suppose. Team officials are confident that Young's physical won't turn up anything that could nix the deal. It's pretty much a formality. Young is guaranteed $2.25 million and...

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"Mutual interest" in Tillman extension, and other notes

January 02, 2015, 6:44pm

Orioles

"Mutual interest" in Tillman extension, and other notes

With so much attention placed on the Orioles' attempts to craft their roster for the upcoming season, it's easy to forget that they need to give raises to their 11 arbitration-eligible players. Players can file for arbitration on Jan. 13, and the sides exchange salary figures three days later. Hearings take place between Feb. 1-21 if agreements aren't reached. Here's the list of the Orioles' 11 arbitration-eligible players with their salaries last season and MLBTradeRumors.com's...

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What's next for the Orioles?

January 01, 2015, 11:29am

Orioles

Now that we've made it past the holidays, the Orioles could make a flurry of moves before opening day. Not a blizzard. The plow won't be driving through your neighborhood. But the baseball forecast in Baltimore is calling for flurries. The Delmon Young signing is just one of the moves. The Orioles will add at least one left-handed bat for the outfield, with Colby Rasmus the current favorite if manager Buck Showalter is satisfied with their meeting. A catcher and right-handed reliever also...

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A new year brings a new set of Orioles notes

December 31, 2014, 8:14pm

Orioles

Welcome to the first day of 2015. I hope you're not spending it in a holding cell. The ball dropped in Times Square, but I fully expected Adam Jones to run it down. Maybe his range is diminishing. As the Orioles continue their search for another left-handed bat, a source confirmed yesterday that they're interested in outfielder/first baseman Chris Parmelee, who became a free agent this week after declining his outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester. The Twins designated Parmelee for...

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Showalter meeting with Rasmus this week

December 31, 2014, 12:21pm

Orioles

If the Orioles are going to sign free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus, he's got to pass the eye test of manager Buck Showalter. Showalter is planning to meet with Rasmus this week at the outfielder's Georgia home, according to a source. An agreement could be reached soon after on a one-year deal. The Orioles believe they can get Rasmus in the range of $5 million to $8 million. He wants to come to Baltimore, according to a source, and use a one-year deal as a platform for a bigger payday. Rasmus...

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A few thoughts on 25-man and 40-man rosters

December 30, 2014, 11:38am

Orioles

A few thoughts on 25-man and 40-man rosters

The Mariners reportedly have acquired Seth Smith from the Padres, removing another outfielder from the Orioles' list of possible winter acquisitions. The Orioles have been in discussions with the Padres while continuing their search for a left-handed hitting outfielder who also can rotate into the designated hitter slot. I'm not close to the Padres, but I assume that they'll hold onto Will Venable, who also has drawn interest from the Orioles. They can't have a roster filled with...

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Orioles have real interest in Rasmus

December 29, 2014, 12:18pm

Orioles

I'm still hearing that the Orioles don't have serious interest in free agent Ichiro Suzuki. However, they do hold legitimate interest in another left-handed hitting outfielder, Colby Rasmus, and have maintained a dialogue with agent Casey Close since the Winter Meetings in San Diego. This is more than just rumor or speculation. The Orioles need a left-handed hitting outfielder who can rotate into the designated hitter slot in the lineup, which is why they've also been linked to Nori Aoki. I...

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Random Orioles notes

December 28, 2014, 7:05pm

Orioles

The Orioles have been viewed as the favorites to host the 2016 All-Star Game, but I'm told that it's not going to happen. The club hasn't been officially notified, but a source says it won't be played at Camden Yards. The Orioles last hosted the All-Star Game in 1993, one year after the ballpark opened. The 2015 All-Star Game will be played in Cincinnati, and the Nationals are expected to host it in 2017. The leagues traditionally alternate hosting it and Baltimore was deemed the most...

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Is Pearce poised to become prized free agent?

December 27, 2014, 7:38pm

Orioles

Is Pearce poised to become prized free agent?

Throughout the Winter Meetings and the days that followed, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette stated that the club was more likely to sign a free agent than make a trade. The Orioles reached agreement with left-hander Wesley Wright and outfielder Delmon Young on one-year deals, taking two free agents off the market, but their next move could come via trade. How else are they going to get that left-handed outfielder/designated hitter unless their interest in Nori Aoki...

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Hardy signing still a bargain

December 26, 2014, 7:17pm

Orioles

The Orioles have been quiet since reaching agreement Wednesday with outfielder Delmon Young on a one-year deal. The warehouse is closed, though executive vice president Dan Duquette remains open for business if anyone wants to talk. The wrapping paper is still scattered under the tree, but the Orioles received an early present on Oct. 9 when shortstop J.J. Hardy signed a three-year, $40 million extension with a club option for 2018. Hardy could have gotten a bigger deal on the free agent...

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Lavarnway acquisition further clouds Clevenger's future

December 25, 2014, 8:42am

Orioles

Lavarnway acquisition further clouds Clevenger's future

The Orioles have proceeded through winters past with one or two catchers on their 40-man roster. After claiming Ryan Lavarnway off waivers this week, the club seems to be collecting them like ornaments. Lavarnway is the fifth catcher added to the 40-man, leaving more doubts about whether Steve Clevenger has a future in the organization. Matt Wieters might not be ready on opening day, but Clevenger is being squeezed by Lavarnway and Caleb Joseph. Prospect Michael Ohlman also is on the 40-man...

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Bundy: "This is a big year for me"

December 24, 2014, 8:55am

Orioles

I want to start out by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday or whatever works for you on this day. Enjoy it with family and friends. Any list of Orioles pitching prospects always includes Dylan Bundy in the top spot. Ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow didn't change the order. The strained right latissimus dorsi that ended his 2014 season is a distant memory after only four months. Teams continue to inquire about his availability - Bundy and Kevin Gausman come...