Roch Kubatko

A few leftovers for breakfast (and spring training note)

November 20, 2012, 7:20pm

Orioles

A few leftovers for breakfast (and spring training note)

The immediate reaction from fans on this blog to yesterday's trade between the Orioles and Mariners seemed to lean more toward disappointment than indifference. Second baseman Robert Andino won over a lot of people with his walk-off single to beat the Red Sox in the final game of the 2011 season. They liked his swagger, his willingness to fill any role and his occasional movie reviews that were played on the video board at Camden Yards. He evolved into a lovable character, and one who really...

Tags:

Orioles trade Andino, add Schoop and Belfiore to 40-man

November 20, 2012, 9:00am

Orioles

The Orioles have traded infielder Robert Andino to the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Trayvon Robinson, giving the club another option in left field while thinning out their surplus at second base. Also, the Orioles added infielder Jonathan Schoop and left-hander Mike Belfiore to their 40-man roster, protecting both players in the Rule 5 draft, which will be held Dec. 6 at the Winter Meetings in Nashville. They outrighted pitcher Oliver Drake, a 43rd-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player...

Tags:

orioles dan duquette featured_sidebar robert andino trayvon robinson frontstory_orioles1

Roberts: "I'm doing as well as I've done in the last three years" (Hale & Rays notes)

November 19, 2012, 6:06pm

Orioles

Roberts: "I'm doing as well as I've done in the last three years" (Hale & Rays notes)

Brian Roberts is lifting weights, running and hitting off a tee in Sarasota. He doesn't really think about his surgically repaired hip, and the concussion symptoms are forgotten unless he's asked about them. Starting at second base on opening day? That's the plan. Playing beyond 2013? Ditto. And, yes, Roberts will attend FanFest on Jan. 19 at the Baltimore Convention Center. To say it's all good right now would be an understatement. The key is to maintain it. "I'm doing as well as...

Tags:

orioles brian roberts featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

Presley on contract: "I fully expect to get it done" (O's hire national crosschecker)

November 19, 2012, 11:21am

Orioles

Presley on contract: "I fully expect to get it done" (O's hire national crosschecker)

Jim Presley joked that he's been playing phone tag today with executive vice president Dan Duquette, who has made a contract offer to the team's hitting coach. "I fully expect to get it done," Presley said, taking a break from doing yard work at his Florida home. "It may be today. I don't know." Presley hasn't talked to Duquette since last week, and attempts so far today have failed, though not for lack of effort. "They've been good to me," Presley said, "and I look for it to...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar jim presley frontstory_orioles2

Updating the Orioles' spring training schedule

November 19, 2012, 10:26am

Orioles

The Red Sox released their 2013 Grapefruit League schedule today, and it includes five games against the Orioles. Two of those games will start at 7:05 p.m. The Orioles host the Red Sox on Feb. 27 at Ed Smith Stadium, and they travel to Fort Myers on March 9. Those are the prime time games. The two teams also have 1:05 p.m. games slated for March 15 and 25 in Sarasota and March 19 in Fort Myers. As always, plan accordingly. Here's the Orioles' updated schedule. The full one will be...

Tags:

orioles spring training frontstory_orioles1

This and that (updated)

November 19, 2012, 3:55am

Orioles

The Orioles' coaching staff could be completed this week, though the holidays always complicate matters. As you've heard, the Orioles want to retain all six of their coaches and are expected to reach agreement with the two remaining unsigned members of the staff - hitting coach Jim Presley and third base coach DeMarlo Hale. Pitching coach Rick Adair signed last week. I've heard that the Marlins and Blue Jays were interested in Adair. Presley also has attracted interest from another club....

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar kevin gausman matt lindstrom miguel socolovich steve tolleson stu pomeranz frontstory_orioles3

More scouting reports from AFL

November 18, 2012, 4:31am

Orioles

The same rival scout who critiqued infielder Jonathan Schoop in yesterday's blog entry talks about six more Orioles minor leaguers who played for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. Pitcher Mike Belfiore, 24 - 12 starts, 12 1/3 innings, 1-1, 4.38 ERA, 14 hits, four walks, 13 strikeouts: "Between him and (Chris) Petrini, he's the one I like better, and lots of people I talked to kind of have the same impression. He looked pretty good for the most part while I was out there. He...

Tags:

orioles lj hoes mike belfiore mike wright frontstory_orioles2

A rival scout talks about Jonathan Schoop

November 17, 2012, 3:56am

Orioles

A rival scout talks about Jonathan Schoop

Scouts who had been watching infielder Jonathan Schoop at Double-A Bowie and the Arizona Fall League seem convinced that he will become an everyday player in the majors. But like the Orioles' rotation this season, his position is TBA. Is he a third baseman, shortstop or second baseman? Yes. Schoop, 21, has been moving around, which seems like a wise plan by the Orioles. Shortstop J.J. Hardy just won his first Gold Glove and he's signed through 2014. Manny Machado is the starting third...

Tags:

orioles jonathan schoop frontstory_orioles2

Showalter, Johnson and Jones honored with Legacy Awards

November 16, 2012, 6:44pm

Orioles

Showalter, Johnson and Jones honored with Legacy Awards

Three members of the Orioles organization have been selected to receive Legacy Awards, established in 2000 by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to honor the best major league players, managers and executives. The awards are presented in the name and spirit of the Negro Leagues legends. Buck Showalter will receive the Charles Isham "C.I." Taylor Award, presented to the top America League manager. Closer Jim Johnson will receive the Hilton Smith Award, given to the AL's top...

Tags:

orioles adam jones buck showalter jim johnson frontstory_orioles2

Adair under contract; Lee MacPhail IV leaves organization

November 16, 2012, 5:46am

Orioles

Adair under contract; Lee MacPhail IV leaves organization

Four of the Orioles' six coaches are under contract for 2013. Pitching coach Rick Adair has agreed to a new deal, leaving hitting coach Jim Presley and third base coach DeMarlo Hale as the only members of manager Buck Showalter's staff without contracts. Presley and Hale have been offered new contracts, and the Orioles are waiting to hear back from them. They're expected to remain in the organization, though I've heard that Presley has attracted interest from another club. Hale...

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2 lee macphail iv rick adair

Reimold: "I plan on playing left field unless somebody tells me differently"

November 15, 2012, 4:12pm

Orioles

Reimold: "I plan on playing left field unless somebody tells me differently"

Nolan Reimold doesn't check the blogs and scroll the tweets. He relies on friends and family for Orioles updates. Many times, the information is unsolicited. Occasionally, it's unwanted. Reimold has been made aware that the Orioles are trying to acquire a left fielder, which is out of his control. All he can do is get ready for spring training, and he's supremely confident that he'll be a full-go when he reports to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. There have been no complications...

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar nolan reimold frontstory_orioles2

Jones places sixth in AL MVP voting; Johnson and Wieters also receive votes

November 15, 2012, 2:05pm

Orioles

Jones places sixth in AL MVP voting; Johnson and Wieters also receive votes

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera did more than win the Triple Crown this season. He also was named American League's Most Valuable Player by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, finishing ahead of Angels rookie outfielder Mike Trout, 362-281, in one of the most hotly debated competitions in recent memory. Cabrera received 22 first-place votes, compared to six for Trout. Not as close as the experts predicted. The Orioles were well-represented in the voting, with Adam Jones...

Tags:

orioles adam jones featured_sidebar jim johnson matt wieters frontstory_orioles2

Orioles FanFest set for Jan. 19

November 15, 2012, 7:18am

Orioles

The Orioles will hold their annual FanFest on Jan. 19 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Plan accordingly. The event will run from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. However, season ticket holders will be treated to a special preview from 10-11 a.m. More details will be released at a later date, including which players are scheduled to appear and the times that they will sign autographs. I just wanted to pass along the confirmed date. I'm sure the Orioles will arrange another media forum. In the past, I've...

Tags:

orioles fanfest featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Showalter: "I think you'll see us do some things"

November 15, 2012, 3:33am

Orioles

Showalter: "I think you'll see us do some things"

Orioles manager Buck Showalter called into "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" yesterday on MASN in his latest round of interviews. The guy had more privacy while his team was still playing, but he's in demand after being a finalist for American League Manager of the Year. Showalter addressed a topic that came up here immediately after news broke that the Toronto Blue Jays were acquiring half of the Miami Marlins. Do the Orioles need to make a big move to counter it? "They took on a lot...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Jim Johnson places seventh in AL Cy Young voting

November 14, 2012, 1:45pm

Orioles

Jim Johnson places seventh in AL Cy Young voting

Orioles closer Jim Johnson received four votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America to finish in seventh place for the American League's Cy Young Award. Tampa Bay's David Price edged out Detroit's Justin Verlander, with only four points separating them. Price was named first on 14 of the 28 ballots, second on 13 and third on one for 153 points. Verlander received 13 first-place votes, 13 seconds and two thirds for 149 points. The other first-place vote went to Tampa Bay...

Tags:

orioles jim johnson featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

For now, Orioles showing no interest in McClellan

November 14, 2012, 10:05am

Orioles

What a difference one offseason can make. Last winter, the Orioles were engaged in trade talks with the Cardinals involving pitcher Kyle McClellan, who was viewed as a candidate for the rotation or the bullpen. As I wrote here on Jan. 29, the Orioles balked at the Cardinals' asking price and gave up. Their interest also waned because of concerns that he wasn't healthy, which proved to be accurate. St. Louis released McClellan yesterday, making him free to sign with any team. Could the...

Tags:

orioles kyle mcclellan tony tarasco frontstory_orioles2

Chris Davis talks about his role, his season and his slogan

November 13, 2012, 5:01pm

Orioles

Chris Davis talks about his role, his season and his slogan

If there's anyone in the Orioles' organization who should pay particularly close attention to the off-season roster moves orchestrated by executive vice president Dan Duquette, it's designated hitter/first baseman/outfielder/emergency reliever Chris Davis. Davis could be impacted in so many ways. The Orioles are looking for another bat, which could fit in the DH slot, at first base or in left field, depending on whether Mark Reynolds is back in 2013. Davis did most of his work this season...

Tags:

orioles chris davis featured_sidebar jonny gomes frontstory_orioles1

Tolleson signs with White Sox, Showalter talks about Manager of the Year voting

November 13, 2012, 4:35pm

Orioles

Tolleson signs with White Sox, Showalter talks about Manager of the Year voting

Infielder Steve Tolleson has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox that includes an invitation to spring training. The Orioles attempted to re-sign Tolleson, who is out of options, but the White Sox view him as a potential super-utility player, which seems to provide a wider path to the majors. The Orioles recently signed infielder Alexi Casilla off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and currently have Ryan Flaherty, Robert Andino and Omar Quintanilla on their...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter steve tolleson frontstory_orioles3

Showalter finishes second in AL Manager of the Year voting

November 13, 2012, 2:01pm

Orioles

Showalter finishes second in AL Manager of the Year voting

The accolades for Buck Showalter stopped here. Showalter finished second behind Oakland's Bob Melvin in the American League's Manager of the Year voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Melvin received 16 first-place votes and 12 second-place votes. Showalter collected 12 first-place votes and 16 second-place votes. Chicago's Robin Ventura was third with 12 third-place votes. Tampa Bay's Joe Maddon was fourth and New York's Joe Girardi was fifth. Detroit's Jim Leyland...

Tags:

orioles buck showalter chris davis

Showalter entertains viewers on MLB Network

November 13, 2012, 6:25am

Orioles

Showalter entertains viewers on MLB Network

Orioles manager Buck Showalter gave an award-worthy interview this morning on MLB Network's "Hot Stove" show. Showalter will find out tonight whether he's been named American League Manager of the Year in voting by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He's a finalist along with Oakland's Bob Melvin and Chicago's Robin Ventura. In the meantime, here are a few comments from his appearance on MLB Network: "The goal is to have (success) long-term." he said. "Our...