Roch Kubatko

Leftovers for breakfast

November 11, 2013, 3:28pm

Orioles

I've got lots of choices after my mother filled my cooler again for the trip home. Soft-shell crabs for breakfast? Why not? A breaded pork chop on the side? What's stopping me? I've been told multiple times over the past week that I'm really going to enjoy being around new pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. Two men with opposite personalities who are great friends and work extremely well together. Add talkative first base coach Wayne Kirby to the mix, and I may...

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Chiti: "It's a great group of guys that are ... very good at what they do"

November 11, 2013, 2:10pm

Orioles

Chiti: "It's a great group of guys that are ... very good at what they do"

Dom Chiti flew back from the Dominican Republic tonight, where he was doing a little scouting for his new team. He's the Orioles' bullpen coach, but he's so much more. Showalter regards Chiti as one of the top five scouts in baseball, and those skills will be utilized here. "The last couple of years, and moreso this year than the year before, I've been very involved with the minor league pitching with Dave Wallace," said Chiti, formerly a special assistant with the Braves. "We worked...

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Showalter on Chiti, Castro and FSL honor

November 11, 2013, 1:33pm

Orioles

Showalter on Chiti, Castro and FSL honor

Orioles manager Buck Showalter believes his 2014 coaching staff is as good as any that he's worked with in all of his years in baseball. The staff was completed earlier today with the official hiring of Dom Chiti as bullpen coach, following the addition of Dave Wallace as pitching coach. "I like our coaching staff and I liked our staff last year," Showalter said. "We were going to have to hire somebody. We wanted Dave to have somebody he felt comfortable with, and I think Dave and Dom are...

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Duquette on Chiti, Castro and GM meetings (and AFL note)

November 11, 2013, 11:56am

Orioles

Duquette on Chiti, Castro and GM meetings (and AFL note)

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette took a short break from the GM meetings in Orlando to talk about the hiring of former Braves special assistant Dom Chiti as bullpen coach. "Dom Chiti is a real pro," Duquette said. "He grew up around the Orioles organization and started his coaching career here. He's very good with pitching evaluation and he's done the bullpen job before. And he worked with Buck (Showalter) in Texas." Chiti joins new pitching coach Dave Wallace, formerly the...

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Orioles make Chiti hiring official, Castro won't return to organization

November 11, 2013, 11:00am

Orioles

The Orioles confirmed today that former Braves special assistant Dom Chiti has been hired as bullpen coach. Chiti joins new pitching coach Dave Wallace, who previously served as Atlanta's minor league pitching coordinator. Bill Castro and Scott McGregor were offered positions in the organization. However, Castro said he will pursue other opportunities. McGregor will return to his former role of pitching rehab coordinator in Sarasota. Prior to working in Atlanta, Chiti was part of the Rangers...

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Since you asked about Hudson and Kazmir ...

November 10, 2013, 5:43pm

Orioles

Since you asked about Hudson and Kazmir ...

Another day brings the latest set of important events in baseball. The GM/owners meetings begin today in Orlando. There won't be a flood of trades and signings during these three days, but the groundwork is often laid for further discussions at next month's Winter Meetings in Orlando. Players tendered qualifying offers must decide today whether to accept or decline. The Orioles aren't impacted here, since none of their eligible free agents were given offers. The Sporting News Executive of...

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This, that and the other

November 09, 2013, 6:16pm

Orioles

In case you missed my update last night, the Orioles want to keep former bullpen coach Bill Castro in the organization. I'm not sure in what capacity, but there's apparently a spot for him. Dom Chiti has been hired as Castro's replacement, and he's valued by the Orioles almost as much for his scouting abilities as his work with pitchers. The Orioles will tap that resource. Chiti must have really wanted to get back in uniform, and back in a teaching mode, to leave a front office position...

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What's next for McGregor and Castro? (updated)

November 09, 2013, 10:18am

Orioles

What's next for McGregor and Castro? (updated)

Now that the Orioles have settled on a new bullpen coach, with the hiring of Dom Chiti expected to be announced Monday, the focus shifts to the two supposed in-house candidates. Scott McGregor and Bill Castro weren't contacted about the pitching and bullpen coach openings. The Orioles chose Braves minor league pitching coordinator Dave Wallace for the former job, and he had a strong voice in the decision to hire Chiti, a Braves special assistant. McGregor will return to his former role as...

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Hendrickson not ready to retire

November 08, 2013, 7:35pm

Orioles

While wondering whether Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson presenting Manny Machado with his Gold Glove last night was also a passing of the torch ... The list of minor league free agents includes a 39-year-old pitcher who spent the entire 2013 season at the Triple-A level and isn't ready to quit. Left-hander Mark Hendrickson is putting retirement on hold and will attempt to latch on with a club before spring training. He transitioned into a sidearmer at the advice of Orioles manager Buck...

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Machado wins Platinum Glove (updated)

November 08, 2013, 5:57pm

Orioles

Since the conclusion of the 2013 season, third baseman Manny Machado won a Rawlings Gold Glove and a Fielding Bible Award, and last night was named the Orioles' 2013 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year. Now comes another honor. Machado received the Rawlings Platinum Glove tonight as the best defensive player in the American League, the announcement coming at the annual Gold Glove Awards dinner in New York City. The Platinum Glove was been handed out for the past three seasons. Rangers third...

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Orioles to name Chiti bullpen coach (updated)

November 08, 2013, 4:36pm

Orioles

The Orioles are prepared to name Braves special assistant Dom Chiti as their new bullpen coach, according to industry sources. An announcement could come on Monday. Chiti, 54, pitched, coached and scouted in the Orioles system, and served as manager Buck Showalter's bullpen coach with the Texas Rangers in 2006. Chiti last pitched professionally with Single-A Hagerstown, an Orioles affiliate, back in 1981. Chiti started his coaching career with the Rangers in 1982 before joining the Orioles....

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Orioles getting closer to naming bullpen coach

November 08, 2013, 10:57am

Orioles

The Orioles still haven't announced who will serve as their bullpen coach next season, but I'm told that they could make the hire on Monday. Bill Castro, who moved from bullpen coach to pitching coach on Aug. 15 after Rick Adair took a personal leave of absence, hasn't been contacted by the club. Neither has Scott McGregor, who replaced Castro in the bullpen. Castro was hired as bullpen coach prior to the 2012 season after spending 37 years in the Milwaukee Brewers organization as a...

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Designating someone to handle the DH role

November 07, 2013, 6:45pm

Orioles

Designating someone to handle the DH role

If you're actually concerned that an entire day and night will pass without more baseball awards being distributed, you can stop rocking back and forth and scratching your arms. The Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners will be unveiled during the Gold Glove Award ceremony at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. This is the third year that Rawlings is handing out platinum winners in each league. Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre won the first two in the American League, and Cardinals...

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Machado honored with defensive award (updated)

November 07, 2013, 1:20pm

Orioles

Machado honored with defensive award (updated)

Another day brings another awards show on MLB Network, and more recognition for Manny Machado's defensive excellence at third base. Machado was just named the Orioles' 2013 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year. Every team has one recipient. Last week, Machado became the first Orioles third baseman since Brooks Robinson in 1975 to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award. He also was the only Oriole to win a Fielding Bible Award. Machado committed 13 errors in 484 chances this season. He registered...

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Walking down a few aisles in the free agent market

November 06, 2013, 4:44pm

Orioles

Walking down a few aisles in the free agent market

It wouldn't be the hot stove season without names of free agents being thrown against a wall to see which ones stick. It's speculation city, baby. Population: Everyone. I've started a drinking game. I'm doing a shot every time I read that the Orioles "may," "could" or "should" sign a player. I'd stay sober if it only required "will." But it's that time of the year. Enjoy it. Just don't try to walk a straight line. The Orioles have certain needs, which have been...

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Chris Davis wins Silver Slugger Award (Jones and Hardy also win)

November 06, 2013, 1:15pm

Orioles

Chris Davis wins Silver Slugger Award (Jones and Hardy also win)

The Orioles have their first Silver Slugger Award winner in five years. Chris Davis was chosen among American League first basemen, the announcement coming tonight on MLB Network. Davis led the majors with 53 home runs and 138 RBIs. He ranked fourth among first basemen in the AL with a .286 average, tied for first with a .370 on-base percentage, and ranked first with a .634 slugging percentage and 1.004 OPS. He also tied for third with 42 doubles and third with 167 hits. No Oriole had won a...

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More on the Silver Slugger Awards

November 06, 2013, 7:35am

Orioles

We already know that Chris Davis is a slam-dunk to win his first Silver Slugger Award, with the results announced tonight at 6 p.m. on MLB Network. Could the Orioles have multiple winners in the same season for only the fifth time since the award was created in 1980? First baseman Eddie Murray and shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. won it in 1983 and 1984. Ripken and catcher Mickey Tettleton won it in 1989, and shortstop Miguel Tejada and third baseman Melvin Mora won it in 2004. No Oriole has won a...

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Chris Davis, more Manto and award predictions

November 05, 2013, 6:04pm

Orioles

Chris Davis, more Manto and award predictions

While Orioles first baseman Chris Davis waits to find out where he'll place in voting for the American League's Most Valuable Player Award, he can prepare to accept his first Silver Slugger Award. Is there another first baseman strong enough to pry it out of his hands? The voting is done by managers and coaches, and they take into account several offensive categories, including batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. They're not allowed to vote for players on their own...

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Davis named finalist for AL MVP

November 05, 2013, 1:49pm

Orioles

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hit a home run with the Baseball Writers' Association of America, too. The BBWAA has named Davis as a finalist for the American League's Most Valuable Player Award. The announcement came tonight on MLB Network. Davis is joined by Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera and Angels outfielder Mike Trout. The winner will be revealed on Nov. 14 on MLB Network. Cabrera topped Davis in two Players Choice Awards categories last night - AL Outstanding Player and...

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Orioles hire Manto as minor league hitting coordinator (and Martin note)

November 05, 2013, 10:18am

Orioles

Former Orioles third baseman Jeff Manto is back in the organization. The Orioles have hired Manto as minor league hitting coordinator. He replaces Mike Boulanger, who will move into an amateur and professional scouting role in 2014. Manto served as the hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox from 2012-13. He was fired on Sept. 28 following a 99-loss season. Boulanger will scout in the Midwest and handle some professional coverage. Manto has strong ties to Orioles director of player...