Roch Kubatko

Hunter's closing argument

December 23, 2013, 12:19pm

Orioles

Tommy Hunter responded to my text message yesterday with a phone call, asked how I was doing and said he would be sitting in a tree later in the afternoon. I imagined him placing the star on top - the final touch to his holiday decorating - until I figured out that he meant a tree stand. He's a hunter in more ways than one. Why did I contact Tommy Hunter? Because I'm lonely and it's the holidays and I tend to get bluesy. But seriously ... I wanted to gauge his interest in becoming the...

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Orioles claim Hendriks off waivers

December 23, 2013, 9:34am

Orioles

The Orioles must have been determined to sign an Australian-born player this winter. The club announced today that it claimed pitcher Liam Hendriks, 24, off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs actually claimed Hendriks off waivers from the Twins on Dec. 13 after he went 1-3 with a 6.85 ERA in 10 games, including eight starts, over 47 1/3 innings. Hendriks also made 16 starts for Triple-A Rochester, going 4-8 with a 4.67 ERA in 98 1/3 innings. He allowed 115 hits, walked 15 and struck out...

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Monday morning musings

December 22, 2013, 6:42pm

Orioles

Has former Orioles reliever Francisco Rodriguez been linked to any teams looking for a closer this winter? He's still a free agent, and he's largely gone ignored. The Orioles don't appear to have any interest in bringing him back despite giving up minor league infielder Nick Delmonico in a July 23 trade. His name was floated in the warehouse, but it must have gone right out the window. Rodriguez posted a 1.09 ERA in 25 games with the Brewers, and a 4.50 ERA in 23 games with the Orioles....

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Unable to walk away from Balfour controversy

December 22, 2013, 7:28am

Orioles

Unable to walk away from Balfour controversy

Reliever Grant Balfour told MLB Network Radio's Jim Duquette and Jim Bowden today that four teams are "excited to have me on board," and he's got at least one offer on the table. Duquette, the former Orioles executive, shared some of Balfour's comments on Twitter. And guess what? Reds physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek chimed in again. More on that later. In case you've been living in a cave, the Orioles reached agreement with Balfour last week on a two-year, $15 million contract, but they...

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A few random thoughts

December 21, 2013, 8:12pm

Orioles

I've had a few fans ask whether this is the craziest offseason that I've experienced since joining the Orioles beat full-time in 1997. Sidney Ponson once punched a judge on a beach in Aruba. That alone probably makes everything else take a backseat. Leave it to Sir Sidney to keep me busy. And try covering that story from home. Not easy. I'll never forget getting a call from my editor at The Sun shortly after Christmas as I sat down to eat dinner. "Did you see what AP is reporting about...

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Orioles may not look far to fill two spots

December 21, 2013, 11:14am

Orioles

Unless Fernando Rodney lowers his price, the Orioles apparently will stay in-house for their next closer. With Brian Roberts no longer on the market, the Orioles apparently will stay in-house for their next second baseman. Everything is subject to change, but they seem to be pointed in that direction. Tommy Hunter is the clear favorite to replace Jim Johnson if the Orioles don't sign Rodney. He made a career-high 68 appearances this season and notched his first four saves. His upper-90s...

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Reopening the closer controversy in Baltimore

December 20, 2013, 4:49pm

Orioles

Reopening the closer controversy in Baltimore

The Orioles' decision to back away from their two-year agreement with Grant Balfour may not hurt them on the field. They could sign Fernando Rodney, who's totaled 85 saves over the past two seasons and posted a 0.60 ERA in 2012, and not skip a beat. But what are the potential ramifications off the field? Balfour could decide to file a grievance with the players association. Some free agents down the road may be leery of agreeing to terms with the Orioles, especially ones with a checkered...

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Closing thoughts on closer situation

December 20, 2013, 4:01pm

Orioles

At least until Saturday morning. The Orioles have turned their attention to free agent closer Fernando Rodney, reaching out to his agent again today. He's their No. 1 target now, but not at the money he desires. At last check, Rodney was searching for a multi-year deal worth $10 million or more per season. Considering that the Orioles didn't want to pay Jim Johnson $10-$11 million in arbitration, that's not going to work for them. As one person told me, a deal could get done if Rodney...

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More from Duquette on Balfour situation (with agent statement)

December 20, 2013, 11:34am

Orioles

More from Duquette on Balfour situation (with agent statement)

I wanted to pass along more quotes from Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, who confirmed this afternoon that the club would not sign closer Grant Balfour. The two sides had reached agreement earlier this week on a two-year, $15 million contract, but the Orioles weren't comfortable with the results of his physical. "Our scouts evaluate a player's skill and ability and capability to help the team, but our medical staff's evaluation also is a vital part of the process, especially...

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Balfour deal off

December 20, 2013, 10:29am

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette just confirmed to reporters that the deal with Grant Balfour is off, and the club will attempt to find another closer. Duquette indicated that the Orioles could sign a closer, trade for one or choose an internal candidate. "The Orioles were disappointed that we couldn't complete a contract with Grant Balfour," Duquette said. "The reason is the club's not satisfied with the results of the physical exam. "We would never say never or close the...

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Patton suspended 25 games for drug violation (updated)

December 20, 2013, 9:12am

Orioles

Patton suspended 25 games for drug violation (updated)

The Orioles' offseason took another nasty turn this afternoon. The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that orioles left-hander Troy Patton has received a 25-game suspension without pay after testing positive for an amphetamine in violation of Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension of Patton will be effective at the start of the 2014 regular season. Patton couldn't be reached for comment. Executive vice president Dan Duquette...

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Brief Balfour update (and a little more)

December 20, 2013, 6:46am

Orioles

Brief Balfour update (and a little more)

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette will provide an update on closer Grant Balfour later this afternoon, and I'll pass along his comments as soon as he's done. Team officials are meeting this morning to discuss Balfour, who was supposed to sign his two-year, $15 million contract yesterday. Concerns arose over the results of his physical, and the deal appears to be falling apart. The Orioles could choose to void it and attempt to sign another closer. They could negotiate a new deal...

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Lough: "I'm excited, ecstatic, to be with this team"

December 19, 2013, 5:51pm

Orioles

Lough: "I'm excited, ecstatic, to be with this team"

David Lough was warned at the Winter Meetings that he might be traded. It came from his agent, who informed the outfielder that a few clubs were showing interest. The Royals had acquired outfielder Norichika Aoki from the Brewers a few days earlier, making Lough expendable following his rookie season. On Wednesday, they dealt him to the Orioles for infielder Danny Valencia. My introduction to Lough came yesterday afternoon via a phone call. He's an extremely pleasant, friendly guy who's...

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Orioles' deal with Balfour in serious jeopardy (updated)

December 19, 2013, 2:17pm

Orioles

The Orioles were expected to announce the signing today of closer Grant Balfour to a two-year contract, but an issue has arisen concerning his physical, according to multiple industry sources. Balfour agreed Tuesday to a two-year, $15 million contract that included $500,000 deferred over each of the next two seasons, and the Orioles were expected to introduce him Friday morning at a press conference at Camden Yards. However, there's been an undisclosed glitch related to his physical and the...

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Orioles sign Xavier Paul to minor league deal (more signings announced)

December 19, 2013, 9:59am

Orioles

The Orioles have signed outfielder Xavier Paul to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to a team official. Paul, 28, batted .244/.339/.402 with 12 doubles, seven homers and 32 RBIs in 97 games with the Reds. He hit .253/.349/.426 with all of his extra-base hits and RBIs against right-handers. He was 3-for-19 against lefties. The Reds non-tendered Paul, a career .254/.316/.376 hitter in parts of five major league seasons with the Dodgers, Pirates and...

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The Lough-down on yesterday's trade and lots of questions

December 18, 2013, 6:53pm

Orioles

The Lough-down on yesterday's trade and lots of questions

In the last two days, the Orioles have reached agreement with closer Grant Balfour and traded for outfielder David Lough. What will today bring? Still waiting for another batch of confirmed minor league signings. And yes, the Orioles still want to add a starting pitcher and perhaps another left-handed bat. I've been wrong about second base all winter, so take this next observation with a grain of salt. It seems more likely that the Orioles will stay in-house and let Ryan Flaherty and Jemile...

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Orioles trade Valencia to Royals for Lough

December 18, 2013, 12:00pm

Orioles

The Orioles have filled two holes on their roster in the last two days. After reaching agreement with closer Grant Balfour yesterday on a two-year, $15 million deal, the Orioles have traded infielder Danny Valencia to the Royals for outfielder David Lough. Lough, 27, batted .286/.311/.413 in 96 games for the Royals this season and played all three outfield positions. He finished eighth in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting, leading the group in Wins Above Replacement (WAR)...

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Orioles believe bullpen is better

December 17, 2013, 6:31pm

Orioles

The Orioles were working last night to set up closer Grant Balfour's physical for today in Baltimore. Two seasons ago, the Orioles bullpen was the strength of a team that snapped a string of 14 straight losing campaigns. The club finally made the playoffs, and most of the credit could be found beyond the outfield fences - spitting sunflower shells, chewing bubble gum and waiting for the phone to ring. The group wasn't quite as dependable in 2013, though abbreviated starts from the rotation...

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Orioles nearing agreement with Balfour (deal done)

December 17, 2013, 8:59am

Orioles

The Orioles are on the verge of making their first impact move of the offseason. According to industry sources, the Orioles are nearing an agreement with free-agent closer Grant Balfour on a two-year deal. One source says Balfour will receive $14 million over two years, plus $500,000 deferred each year. The agreement will become official later today. Balfour reportedly had a higher-paying offer from another club - believed to be two years with a vesting option - but clearly preferred to...

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My two cents on Roberts' $2 million deal with Yankees

December 17, 2013, 6:04am

Orioles

My two cents on Roberts' $2 million deal with Yankees

In case you hadn't noticed, I've failed to get a proper handle on the Orioles' plans at second base. The errors are accumulating at an alarming rate, ruining my chances of winning a hot stove Gold Glove. I bobbled Brian Roberts. I booted Mark Ellis. I'm all-hit, no-field. All indications pointed to the Orioles re-signing Roberts over the winter. Plenty of folks in the organization anticipated it, including manager Buck Showalter. Executive vice president Dan Duquette reached out to...