Roch Kubatko

Hearing from Steve Johnson and LJ Hoes (McLouth update)

December 11, 2012, 3:02pm

Orioles

Hearing from Steve Johnson and LJ Hoes (McLouth update)

The Orioles could announce outfielder Nate McLouth's signing later today. He's scheduled to take his physical and it depends when the club gets the results. McLouth agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal at the Winter Meetings that includes a possible $500,000 in bonuses. "I think he deserves it," said Nick Markakis. "What he did for us in the second half ever since he got here. He did what he was supposed to do. A guy like that, a guy with his talent, is always good to have." Markakis...

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Markakis: "The whole country knows what the Baltimore Orioles are about now"

December 11, 2012, 8:41am

Orioles

The Orioles hosted 80 first- through fifth-grade students from Morrell Park Elementary School in Baltimore today as part of the 34th Annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party for Kids at Dave & Busters at Arundel Mills Mall. Manager Buck Showalter, shortstop J.J. Hardy, outfielders Nick Markakis and LJ Hoes, and pitcher Steve Johnson served lunch to the kids, played games and signed autographs. They were joined by former Orioles Al Bumbry, Chris Hoiles, Dave Johnson and Scott McGregor. The Right Side...

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Hardy disappointed that Reynolds is leaving

December 11, 2012, 7:10am

Orioles

Hardy disappointed that Reynolds is leaving

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy lost one of his favorite teammates and card players. Hardy was hoping that the Orioles would re-sign Mark Reynolds, who agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, "I've still got (Matt) Wieters next to me, but he only played because Reynolds forced us to play, and then (Nick) Markakis was also in there," Hardy said earlier today at the annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party at Dave & Busters at Arundel Mills Mall. "I don't know. We'll...

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Markakis, Reimold not among first choices at first base

December 11, 2012, 3:17am

Orioles

Markakis, Reimold not among first choices at first base

If the Orioles don't acquire another first baseman, Chris Davis will be playing the not-so-hot corner on opening day at Tropicana Field. Manager Buck Showalter is prepared to give Davis the job, with the full support of executive vice president Dan Duquette. As the roster is currently constructed, Wilson Betemit would back up Davis as one of Showalter's four reserves. In the meantime, Duquette continues to search for another bat, whether it's for first base or as designated hitter or a...

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Orioles continue to raid the independent leagues

December 10, 2012, 6:38pm

Orioles

The Orioles have tapped into the independent league market again to find another pitcher. They're leaving no independent stone unturned. The Orioles signed right-hander Kyle Mertins, according to a tweet from his former team, the Sioux Falls Pheasants of the American Association. Mertins, 24, is a former 28th-round pick of the Atlanta Braves in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Cal-State Fullerton. He went 4-1 with a 1.00 ERA in 45 relief appearances, with 36 hits allowed, 14 walks...

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This, that and the other (and more)

December 09, 2012, 4:56pm

Orioles

So what should we read into the Orioles' total lack of interest in bringing back first baseman Mark Reynolds, who has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Cleveland Indians? Several people at the Winter Meetings suggested that money wasn't the issue. The Orioles simply felt that they could upgrade at first base. Reynolds' contract with the Indians is for a guaranteed $6 million. He reportedly can make another $1.5 million in bonuses based on plate appearances. He made $7.5 million...

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Showalter on McLouth and the leadoff spot (Reynolds update)

December 08, 2012, 2:22pm

Orioles

Showalter on McLouth and the leadoff spot (Reynolds update)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has a pretty good idea of which player will bat leadoff next season if all the candidates are healthy, but he'll allow the process to play itself out in spring training. Showalter doesn't think he can go wrong with Brian Roberts, Nate McLouth or Nick Markakis sitting atop the order. "I feel comfortable that we have people who are capable of doing it," he said. "One guy (Roberts) has a great track record if he's healthy. I hope all three do well and are...

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What are the Orioles doing atop the order?

December 08, 2012, 3:47am

Orioles

Re-signing Nate McLouth brought more questions for the Orioles. Is he the everyday left fielder? Will he bat leadoff? Let's tackle the second one. Asked whether McLouth would remain at the top of the order, executive vice president Dan Duquette replied, "Let's see how it plays out." It's tough to project the lineup without knowing whether Duquette is signing or trading for another player, but the Orioles clearly have three leadoff candidates on the roster: McLouth, Brian Roberts and...

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What are the Orioles doing at DH?

December 07, 2012, 4:09am

Orioles

Did the Yankees do anything at the Winter Meetings this year? I may have missed it. I wonder how their fans reacted to the lack of news. I also wonder if Rays fans are particularly excited about James Loney and Yunel Escobar. I'm proud to announce that I pulled off the best trade of the Winter Meetings. I swapped my 7 p.m. flight out of Nashville last night for a 3:35 p.m. flight, arriving at the airport at the exact same time as executive vice president Dan Duquette. Duquette will resume...

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Duquette recaps the Winter Meetings (video added and notes)

December 06, 2012, 6:38am

Orioles

Duquette recaps the Winter Meetings (video added and notes)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Rule 5 draft is over and teams are checking out of the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center and Resort. Any trades or free agent signings will have to be done at home. It's never easy to say goodbye. Don't look back. Well, executive vice president Dan Duquette looked back at his four days here while meeting with reporters for the final time before boarding his flight. The Orioles reached agreement with left fielder Nate McLouth on a one-year contract and chose...

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Orioles select left-hander McFarland in Rule 5 draft (updated)

December 06, 2012, 5:13am

Orioles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - With the 23rd pick in the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles selected left-hander Timothy McFarland from the Indians' Triple-A roster. McFarland goes by "T.J." Make him feel welcome. The Indians chose McFarland in the fourth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. He went 8-6 with 4.82 ERA in 17 starts with Columbus this year, and 8-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 10 starts at Double-A Akron. McFarland is 48-31 with a 3.83 ERA in five minor league seasons. He's made 107 starts among...

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Day 4: Still no power bat

December 06, 2012, 3:56am

Orioles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - I see a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's not the illuminated 500-foot Christmas tree in the middle of this monstrosity of a hotel. The Winter Meetings will officially end after the Rule 5 draft that begins at 9 a.m. Central time. There's never a buzz over these drafts. The only thing more boring is the minor league phase that follows. I expect the Orioles to make a selection, since they've indicated that they will be "active." I just don't know where they can...

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More from Duquette on McLouth, Swisher, Jackson and signings

December 05, 2012, 4:58pm

Orioles

More from Duquette on McLouth, Swisher, Jackson and signings

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette began tonight's media session by talking about the one-year contract that outfielder Nate McLouth agreed to this afternoon. "We've been looking to sign an outfielder for our club, and pending a physical, which is always very important to the Orioles, it looks like we're going to be able to agree to a deal with Nate McLouth," Duquette said. "He did a great job for us last year when we brought him up. He helped solidify the...

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Orioles out on Swisher, sign Conor Jackson to minor league deal

December 05, 2012, 4:22pm

Orioles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette passed along a few nuggets of news during his eight-minute session with the media in his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center and Resort. Duquette confirmed that he won't attempt to sign free-agent outfielder Nick Swisher, whose representatives met with the Orioles last night. Duquette said the Orioles have enough outfielders after re-signing Nate McLouth, and he dismissed the possibility that Swisher could play first...

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Add Jim Riggleman to list of potential Orioles third base coaches

December 05, 2012, 1:04pm

Orioles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former Nationals manager Jim Riggleman is being considered for the Orioles' third base coaching job. The list compiled by manager Buck Showalter appears to contain as many as six names, including Rich Dauer and Don Wakamatsu. It's fluid, as Showalter likes to say. Steve Smith took himself out of the running by informing Showalter that he wanted to be freed up to watch his son play college baseball in San Diego. Riggleman just completed his first season as manager at...

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Orioles reach agreement with McLouth on one-year deal (minor league signing)

December 05, 2012, 9:16am

Orioles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Orioles' first transaction of the Winter Meetings involves bringing back one of their players. The Orioles have reached agreement with outfielder Nate McLouth on a one-year deal worth $2 million, which will become official once he passes a physical. He also could earn another $500,000 for 500 plate appearances, according to an industry source. The club doesn't discuss the monetary side of an agreement. Retaining McLouth was a top priority for the Orioles after he...

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Twins have contacted the Orioles about Morneau

December 05, 2012, 5:37am

Orioles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Minnesota Twins are devoting part of these Winter Meetings to gauging outside interest in first baseman Justin Morneau, and the Orioles are counted among the teams they've contacted, according to an industry source. The Twins would want - wait for it - young pitching in return for Morneau, who will make $14 million in 2013, the final year of his contract. It's possible that the Twins are just testing the waters rather than actively shopping Morneau. General manager...

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Day 3: Why Nick Swisher does and doesn't make sense

December 04, 2012, 8:53pm

Orioles

Day 3: Why Nick Swisher does and doesn't make sense

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - This is the third and last full day of the Winter Meetings. I don't count Thursday because executives, scouts, agents and media roll out after the Rule 5 draft, which is held in the morning. I stick around until late afternoon before racing to the airport and trying to remember where I parked my car. Though the direction of negotiations can shift in a hurry, I'm still not expecting the Orioles to make a trade before returning home. They really seemed to be focused...

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Dauer accepts job as manager at Double-A San Antonio

December 04, 2012, 3:55pm

Orioles

Dauer accepts job as manager at Double-A San Antonio

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - While the Orioles decide on their next third base coach, one of their early candidates, Rich Dauer, has taken a job as manager with Double-A San Antonio. Dauer never heard from the Orioles and yesterday accepted an offer from San Antonio, a San Diego Padres affiliate. "We've been talking for a couple of weeks," said Dauer, who was dismissed as Rockies third base coach after the season. "Nothing seems to get done real quick. Everybody's taking their time and I was...

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Orioles meet with reps for Saunders and McLouth (updated)

December 04, 2012, 2:49pm

Orioles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - It appears that the Orioles are having their busiest day of the Winter Meetings today, though they are waiting to make their first trade or sign a free agent. Executive vice president Dan Duquette had met with about five teams and six agents by the time he sat down with reporters in his suite around 5:30 p.m. Central time. The agents included representatives for left-hander Joe Saunders and outfielder Nate McLouth, who ended the 2012 season with the Orioles. "We've had...