Roch Kubatko

Navarro: "I'm going to fight for a job"

November 28, 2014, 10:18am

Orioles

Infielder Rey Navarro had his pick of teams that wanted to sign him as a minor league free agent. His decision became much easier when the Orioles stepped up with a major league offer. A spot on a 40-man roster with a winning team? Get the contract ready. "I'm really excited about it," Navarro said Friday afternoon before getting ready for his next game with Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League. "I just feel like I've got a good chance to play there. They made me good offer and...

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Important season coming up for Urrutia

November 27, 2014, 4:12pm

Orioles

Here's hoping that everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving and no one bet the mortgage on the Cowboys. I'm heading out later today to buy a battery for my laptop. The power cord has a short in it, further complicating my efforts to post daily blog entries. Otherwise, it's a piece of cake. Or a slice of pumpkin pie, if that's your preference. I've written how the Orioles are focusing on their bullpen, especially left-handed relief with Andrew Miller set to depart as a free agent. The...

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Orioles thankful for left-handed relievers

November 26, 2014, 5:11pm

Orioles

The Orioles currently have 20 pitchers on their 40-man roster, including two left-handed relievers who are recent additions to the group. They claimed Pat McCoy off waivers from the Tigers on Oct. 31, and we're waiting to find out whether it's a trick or a treat. It was a fun-size transaction, small in comparison to other moves made by teams during the offseason. (I know it's a different holiday today. Stay with me here.) The Orioles acquired Scott Barnes from the Indians yesterday for...

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Orioles acquire left-hander Scott Barnes, sign infielder Rey Navarro (updated)

November 26, 2014, 8:33am

Orioles

The Orioles announced today that they acquired left-handed reliever Scott Barnes from the Indians for cash considerations and officially signed infielder Rey Navarro to a major league deal. The moves leave the Orioles with 39 players on their 40-man roster. Barnes, 27, appeared in 25 games (one start) with Triple-A Columbus in 2014, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA (31 2/3 innings, 13 earned runs). In two major league seasons in the Cleveland organization, Barnes went 0-1 with a 5.20 ERA (27 2/3...

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Leftovers for breakfast

November 25, 2014, 6:09pm

Orioles

Too soon for leftovers? There will be lots of cold turkey and stuffing in the coming days. And if you're like me, you'll prefer the cranberry sauce that jiggles out of the can. In the meantime, I've got some leftover Orioles notes and quotes to pass down the table. Try not to spill them on the white tablecloth. As the Orioles began compiling a list of candidates to interview for the job of hitting coach, they briefly considered Melvin Mora before deciding against it. Mora was a career...

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Dave Martinez could emerge as hitting coach candidate in Baltimore

November 25, 2014, 11:34am

Orioles

Dave Martinez could emerge as hitting coach candidate in Baltimore

Now that Dave Martinez has informed the Rays that he's leaving the organization, the Orioles may add him to their list of candidates for the job of hitting coach. I was given a "maybe" by someone in the organization this afternoon when I asked about Martinez. The idea wasn't shot down, so Martinez at least will get consideration for an interview. No more interviews are scheduled before the Thanksgiving holiday, but the Orioles want to have Jim Presley's replacement in the fold before the...

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Manto: "I would love to have this job" (updated)

November 24, 2014, 3:52pm

Orioles

Manto: "I would love to have this job" (updated)

Former Oriole Jeff Manto drove to Baltimore today and spent about two hours interviewing for the vacant job of hitting coach. Manager Buck Showalter, executive vice president Dan Duquette and vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson were in the room. Manto, the minor league hitting coordinator since November 2013, found out this morning that Jim Presley had been reassigned. The Orioles gave him the choice of interviewing later in the day or Tuesday, and he wasn't taking any...

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Navarro in Baltimore, more on free agents and hitting coach situation

November 24, 2014, 2:39pm

Orioles

Navarro in Baltimore, more on free agents and hitting coach situation

Infielder Rey Navarro, who agreed to a major league contract over the weekend, flew into Baltimore last night and will take his physical this morning. The Orioles will announce his signing and addition to the 40-man roster once they receive the results. The Orioles will have two open spots on their 40-man. One is reserved for the Rule 5 draft. Keep in mind that the Orioles can create more room at any time. I keep noting how infielder Steve Lombardozzi is likely to be removed. It just hasn't...

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Orioles interviewing Manto for hitting coach job

November 24, 2014, 12:26pm

Orioles

The Orioles began the process of interviewing hitting coaches today by meeting with Jeff Manto. No sense waiting until after the Thanksgiving holiday. The Orioles hired Manto as minor league hitting coordinator in November 2013, replacing Mike Boulanger in the role. He previously served as hitting coach with the Pirates in 2006-07 and the White Sox in 2012-13. The White Sox fired him following a 99-loss season. Manto was inducted into the International League Hall of Fame over the...

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Breaking down Orioles' playoff shares

November 24, 2014, 9:16am

Orioles

The Orioles fell short in their run to the World Series this season. However, it turned out to be a profitable pursuit. Major League Baseball announced that the Orioles' postseason share totaled $7,443,175.42, with the value of each full share being $125,288.04. The Orioles issued 52 full shares, a total of 6.25 partial shares and 36 cash awards. Players vote on the distribution of playoff money, including the amount and the recipients. For example, they awarded a share in 2012 to Triple-A...

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Orioles reassign hitting coach Jim Presley

November 24, 2014, 7:19am

Orioles

So much for the Orioles returning all of their coaches in 2015. Though the entire staff is under contract, the Orioles have reassigned hitting coach Jim Presley within the organization at his request and will begin interviewing candidates this week, according to multiple sources. Presley's reassignment is due to personal reasons, according to sources, and not related to the club's performance. He could get involved in scouting. The Orioles hired Presley, 53, as hitting coach in 2011 after he...

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BBWAA announces Hall of Fame ballot

November 24, 2014, 6:12am

Orioles

Five former Orioles are included on the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot, which was released today by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The ballot contains 17 newcomers and 17 holdovers, and is being mailed this week to more than 575 voting members of the BBWAA. The former Orioles are pitchers Mike Mussina, Curt Schilling and Lee Smith, and outfielders Tim Raines and Sammy Sosa. The list of newcomers to the ballot includes pitchers Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz, infielder...

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Melky Cabrera a "fallback option" for the Orioles

November 23, 2014, 5:11pm

Orioles

So how do you feel about Melky Cabrera? I'm just curious, since I've heard from multiple people that he's a "fallback option" for the Orioles if they can't re-sign Nick Markakis. His name has been discussed. He's on the radar, as the kids say. Cabrera's 50-game suspension after testing positive for testosterone occurred two years ago, one month after he was named Most Valuable Player in the All-Star Game. If the Orioles were able to overlook Nelson Cruz's suspension, signing him to a...

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Thoughts on Wieters and Davis

November 22, 2014, 8:48pm

Orioles

One of the more popular questions that I receive in television and radio interviews centers on the Orioles' intentions with catcher Matt Wieters and first baseman Chris Davis, both pending free agents following the 2015 season. Rather than being asked about possible contract extensions, the inquiries are aimed at whether the Orioles will consider trading Wieters and Davis over the winter or during the season. They're both represented by Scott Boras, who usually wants his clients to test the...

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Buck Britton signs with Dodgers (updated)

November 22, 2014, 5:40am

Orioles

Buck Britton signs with Dodgers (updated)

The Orioles wanted to re-sign infielder Buck Britton, who spent seven years in their organization before becoming a minor league free agent. However, they sensed that he had a better offer waiting for him and figured they were going to lose him. Sure enough, the Dodgers signed Britton to a minor league contract today that most likely includes an invitation to spring training. Update: Britton did receive a spring invite, and his contract includes an opt-out clause. Britton, 28, tweeted the...

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Machado has green light to move over to shortstop if needed

November 21, 2014, 6:42pm

Orioles

Machado has green light to move over to shortstop if needed

Once the ink dried on J.J. Hardy's three-year contract extension on Oct. 10, the talk of possibly moving Manny Machado from third base to shortstop on a regular basis was silenced. The Orioles didn't give Hardy $40 million so he could change positions. He's the shortstop. While there's no disputing Hardy's placement in the infield, what happens if he's lost to injury for an extended period? For the first time, Orioles manager Buck Showalter is willing to move Machado to...

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Orioles sign Janish to minor league deal (updated with two more signings)

November 21, 2014, 10:09am

Orioles

The Orioles have been negotiating with the agents for free agent infielders Paul Janish and Rey Navarro with the intent of signing both players. A club official has confirmed that they reached agreement today with Janish. One down, one to go. Janish signed a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training. Janish, 32, hit a combined .268/.323/.359 this year in 113 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs and Triple-A Omaha. Selected by the Reds in the fifth round of the 2004...

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A few afternoon notes

November 21, 2014, 9:15am

Orioles

The Orioles are continuing with their attempts to sign minor league free-agent shortstop Rey Navarro and talks are progressing, according to sources. They're making a strong push for him. Keep in mind that the Orioles have 37 players on their 40-man roster after yesterday's maneuvering. Navarro, 24, batted a combined .282/.343/.435 this season with 34 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs and 57 RBIs in 132 games at Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Louisville in the Reds organization. He's a...

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Orioles sign Rey Navarro to major league deal

November 21, 2014, 5:15am

Orioles

The Orioles left three spots open on their 40-man roster Thursday as the midnight deadline approached to set it before the Rule 5 draft. They intended to add another player to it. They just needed infielder Rey Navarro to accept their major league offer. It's a done deal. Navarro, 24, has agreed to terms with the Orioles after becoming a minor league free agent, according to an industry source. They gave him a major league contract, pending a physical, in order to secure him. Plenty of teams...

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Orioles not interested in Jimenez-Swisher trade

November 20, 2014, 12:31pm

Orioles

Back at the 2012 Winter Meetings in Nashville, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette sat down with agent Dan Lozano to gauge whether his club might be a match for free agent outfielder Nick Swisher. The Orioles were among four teams to meet with Lozano that day. Duquette viewed Swisher as a possible replacement for free agent left fielder Nate McLouth, as well as a player who could shift to first base or serve as the designated hitter - all areas of need. On that same day, Duquette...