Roch Kubatko

Jones is glad that Showalter is staying around

January 11, 2013, 7:48pm

Orioles

Jones is glad that Showalter is staying around

While we wait for the Orioles to announce Buck Showalter's contract extension, center fielder Adam Jones is just grateful that his manager will be staying around for a while. As you may recall, Jones walked into Showalter's office before signing his own extension last summer and asked about his manager's commitment to the organization. He didn't doubt Showalter's passion for winning. Jones just wanted to make sure that Showalter, startled by the question, wasn't going to abruptly...

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Orioles agree to terms with Reimold (updated)

January 11, 2013, 2:18pm

Orioles

The Orioles can remove one name from their list of arbitration-eligible players. The club agreed to terms today with outfielder Nolan Reimold on a one-year contract. Update: Reimold will be paid $1 million in 2013 after making $490,500 last season. Reimold, 29, was limited to 16 games last year because of a herniated disc in his neck that required surgery. He batted .313/.333/.627 with six doubles, five homers and 10 RBIs in April. Reimold will compete with Nate McLouth in spring training...

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Adam Jones talks about the WBC

January 11, 2013, 11:44am

Orioles

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is back in San Diego after putting in a bid on a house in Baltimore County. He will fly to Denver later tonight and attend Saturday's playoff game between the Ravens and Broncos, going from ideal weather to frigid conditions. "I've got tickets on the club level, so I can either sit outside or inside," he said. "I'll split up my time. I've got to see my boys and support them." Jones will continue to divide his time during spring training, leaving the...

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A few afternoon Orioles notes (updated)

January 11, 2013, 9:24am

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to work toward reaching contract agreements with his arbitration-eligible players before figures are exchanged this month and possible hearings are scheduled in February. The Orioles will try to avoid hearings with Chris Davis, Jason Hammel, Tommy Hunter, Jim Johnson, Brian Matusz, Darren O'Day, Troy Patton, Nolan Reimold and Matt Wieters. Each player was tendered a contract before the midnight deadline on Nov. 30. "We're working on...

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Markakis: "I'm good to go"

January 10, 2013, 5:57pm

Orioles

I can't imagine that too many players were happier to see the ball drop on New Year's Eve than Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis, who needed a fresh start after 2012. And his luck must be changing because it didn't smash his toe. The Orioles finally posted a winning record and made the playoffs, which brought great joy to Markakis. But he underwent three surgeries - the first in January, the last in September - which was quite an oddity for a guy who played in 161, 157, 161, 160 and 160...

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Looking ahead to the 2014 Hall of Fame controversy

January 09, 2013, 3:41pm

Orioles

Looking ahead to the 2014 Hall of Fame controversy

Now that most of the smoke has cleared from yesterday's Hall of Fame voting - if not the stench from the steroid scandal - we can look ahead to the 2014 ballot and the inclusion of a former Orioles pitcher who was inducted into their Hall of Fame over the summer. Yes, Mike Mussina will be eligible for induction in Cooperstown. Put your bitterness aside and tell me whether he's deserving based on his numbers. Mussina was 270-153 with a 3.68 ERA in 537 games. He struck out 2,813 batters in...

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MASN will air six Orioles exhibition games (with notes attached)

January 09, 2013, 2:25pm

Orioles

With Orioles pitchers and catchers set to report Feb. 12, it's time to reveal which spring training games can be viewed from the comfort of your home or favorite watering hole. Perhaps you're lucky enough to have a television at work and an understanding boss. MASN HD will televise six exhibition games, all from Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, beginning with the Monday, Feb. 25 clash with the New York Yankees at 1 p.m. Yes, it's a rematch of the American League Division Series. The gloves...

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No one is elected into Hall of Fame this year

January 09, 2013, 9:30am

Orioles

No one is elected into Hall of Fame this year

The Hall of Fame pitched a shutout this year. For only the eighth time since voting began in 1936, a winning candidate did not emerge from the balloting conducted by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. There were 569 ballots cast, the third-highest total in the history of the voting, but none of the 37 candidates received the necessary 75 percent for election. Former Houston Astros second baseman Craig Biggio led the way with 68.2 percent of the votes, followed by Jack...

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A few minutes with Gonzalez and McLouth

January 08, 2013, 5:43pm

Orioles

Major League Baseball and T-Mobile have a deal in place that will give managers the option of using cell phones to contact the bullpen instead of the old dugout phones. I can't wait for Orioles manager Buck Showalter to start texting bullpen coach Bill Castro. Castro probably would have expected an "LOL" last season when Showalter wanted Chris Davis to warm up in the 16th inning at Fenway Park. Jumping topics here, did you know that Miguel Gonzalez didn't lose back-to-back games with...

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Orioles sign Tim Smith to minor league deal

January 08, 2013, 2:48pm

Orioles

While the speculation mounts over the Orioles' pursuit of Nationals first baseman Michael Morse, they continue to focus on improving the depth in their minor league system. The Orioles have signed outfielder Tim Smith, 26, to a minor league deal. He hasn't received an invitation to spring training. Smith tweeted the news earlier tonight, and a club official confirmed the signing. Smith batted .288/.372/.386 in 70 games with Single-A Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi of the Atlanta Braves...

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With LaRoche returning to Nationals, is Morse back in play for Orioles?

January 08, 2013, 8:11am

Orioles

The Orioles expressed mild interest in Nationals first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse during the Winter Meetings, according to industry sources. They weren't in serious pursuit of a trade, but they hung on the peripheral, waiting on whether their beltway rivals re-signed free-agent first baseman Adam LaRoche. Well, LaRoche is staying with the Nationals, according to various reports. He's agreed to a two-year deal that's been on the table all winter, his market severely impacted by the...

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Sifting through more rumors

January 07, 2013, 6:24pm

Orioles

If it brings any comfort at all, executive vice president Dan Duquette hasn't stopped trying to add a starting pitcher or a hitter for the middle of the lineup. The effort is there. It's the results that are lacking. Again, the Orioles aren't choosing to stand pat. They just haven't made a deal yet as we move into the second week of January. There's a difference. I heard last night that the Tigers and Cubs are discussing a potential trade involving pitcher Rick Porcello, who also...

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Quick Showalter contract update

January 07, 2013, 5:10pm

Orioles

Since I've been asked about it many times over the past few days, I just wanted to pass along that the Orioles aren't expected to announce manager Buck Showalter's contract extension before next week. The original plan called for the Orioles to confirm the new deal early this week, but busy schedules on both sides have caused a slight delay. There hasn't been a glitch or a setback. It's still going to get done. It's just not likely to happen as quickly as anticipated. Showalter...

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Bordick talks about three Orioles infielders

January 06, 2013, 6:06pm

Orioles

Former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick, now a MASN analyst who also works with infielders at the major and minor league levels, offered his opinions on Ryan Flaherty, Brian Roberts and Manny Machado during Saturday's "Hot Stove Baseball" show on WBAL Radio. "I loved Ryan Flaherty," Bordick said. "I think he's so versatile and he played above-average at every position they put him in. Buck (Showalter) wasn't scared to start him in the outfield or start him at second base. He played in...

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Random notes, quotes and thoughts

January 06, 2013, 4:19am

Orioles

Pitcher Miguel Gonzalez and his wife are expecting their second child in June. It's never too soon to start wondering about his paternity leave and whether he could miss a key start. Go ahead and check the schedule. Gonzalez, in a phone interview yesterday on WBAL Radio's "Hot Stove Baseball" show, said his goal in 2013 is to pitch 200 innings. He totaled 105 1/3 with the Orioles last season, and another 44 2/3 with Triple-A Norfolk. He also pitched in Mexico over the winter, which is...

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Notes on Berkman and FanFest

January 05, 2013, 11:03am

Orioles

Lance Berkman, a free agent first baseman/designated hitter who drew mild interest from the Orioles, has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers, according to FOXSports.com. Berkman reportedly will receive $11 million guaranteed, including a $1 million buyout, and his contract includes a vesting option for 2014. The Orioles kicked the tires on Berkman, but he figured to sign with the Rangers if he decided to put off retirement. He lives in Houston and preferred to stay...

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Orioles notes on Berkman, Vazquez and more (plus FanFest autograph lineup)

January 04, 2013, 10:26am

Orioles

The Orioles have reached out "informally" to free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Lance Berkman, according to a team official, but there are still doubts whether he's going to play in 2013. This may be another case of kicking the tires, a phrase that never gets old. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported earlier today that the Orioles were one of the teams expressing interest in Berkman, who told the paper that any club pursuing him would have to talk him out of retirement. "I know...

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Orioles claim catcher Luis Martinez off waivers

January 04, 2013, 9:34am

Orioles

The Orioles have added a fourth catcher to their 40-man roster, claiming Luis Martinez off waivers today from the Texas Rangers. Martinez, a 12th-round pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, joins Matt Wieters, Taylor Teagarden and Luis Exposito on the Orioles' 40-man roster. Martinez, 27, is a career .272/.362/.364 hitter in six minor league seasons in the Padres (2007-11) and Rangers (2012) systems. In 2012, he batted .270/.350/.386 in 65 games with Triple-A...

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Showalter nearing agreement on contract extension

January 03, 2013, 10:35pm

Orioles

Showalter nearing agreement on contract extension

Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos and Buck Showalter are meeting again today to discuss the manager's contract extension, and an announcement could be made early next week, according to an industry source. Showalter is flying into Baltimore today after spending the holidays at his home in Dallas. He met several times with Angelos last month, and it's been anticipated that he would sign a new contract in January. The deal, covering multiple years, should be in place within a few days if...

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The holdup on Saunders

January 03, 2013, 5:12pm

Orioles

Before I tackle the blog topic of the day, I wanted to pass along that I heard late last night that manager Buck Showalter's contract extension will cover three years, extending his commitment to the Orioles through the 2016 season. No real surprise here. I think three years was the expected length. The announcement is still likely to come early next week. And then we can get on with our lives. Meanwhile, the Orioles are looking for another veteran starting pitcher and Joe Saunders is...