Roch Kubatko

Gonzalez won't pitch in WBC

January 17, 2013, 7:09am

Orioles

Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez said he will decline an offer to pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Gonzalez's wife is expecting their first child, which factored into his decision. It's also clear that the Orioles would prefer that he stay in camp. "Obviously, this is more important than me going down there," he said. "This is my first big league spring training. I'll be focused on doing my stuff here first. "It was a tough decision, but you always have to think about...

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Showalter's place in Orioles managing history

January 16, 2013, 6:54pm

Orioles

Did you ever imagine that Buck Showalter would one day become synonymous with the Orioles? The same guy who began his managerial career in pinstripes? The same guy who was named the first manager of the expansion Arizona Diamondbacks? The same guy hired and fired by the Texas Rangers? Showalter has a chance to guide the Orioles through the 2018 season after agreeing to a five-year extension. He took over the helm in August 2010. That's a little more than eight years on the job, if my math...

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Notes on Wieters, Gonzalez, Hendrickson, Morse (and Roberts)

January 16, 2013, 3:15pm

Orioles

Notes on Wieters, Gonzalez, Hendrickson, Morse (and Roberts)

Catcher Matt Wieters was happy to learn today that the Orioles extended the contracts of executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter through the 2018 season. "I think it's great for the franchise to be able to keep two guys around who are two of the main parts of putting together the team last year," Wieters said. "I think the big thing is we're able to have two guys working together who have the same goals, and keep them together for an extended period of time. Your...

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Orioles extend Duquette and Showalter contracts through 2018 (updated)

January 16, 2013, 1:00pm

Orioles

The Orioles just announced contract extensions through the 2018 season for executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter. The Showalter extension covers five years. He's set up to become the second-longest tenured manager in club history behind Earl Weaver. Showalter, 56, became the 17th full-time manager of the Orioles on Aug. 2, 2010 and has led the club to a 196-185 record in 381 regular season games. He guided the Orioles to the American League Division Series in 2012,...

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Flaherty on his winter ball experience (O's early promotion schedule)

January 15, 2013, 4:54pm

Orioles

Flaherty on his winter ball experience (O's early promotion schedule)

Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty collected nine hits and one illness during his brief stay in the Dominican Winter League. Flaherty, who's currently working out in Tampa, batted .209/.306/.233 with one double, three RBIs, six walks and 13 strikeouts in 43 at-bats with Escogido. He returned to the U.S. on Dec. 20 about eight pounds lighter after coming down with a bad case of "water poisoning" during his last few days. "It was kind of crappy," Flaherty said, no pun intended. "It's...

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Taking another look at Matusz and maneuverability (arbitration note)

January 14, 2013, 6:17pm

Orioles

Taking another look at Matusz and maneuverability (arbitration note)

I don't have information on all of the forums at FanFest, but I do know that Brian Matusz is participating in one that features a group of Orioles relievers. This doesn't mean that Matusz is assured of being assigned to the bullpen on opening day. He's going to work out as a starter in spring training. But he ended 2012 as a reliever and that's how he'll enter FanFest. Matusz was 6-10 with a 4.87 ERA in 34 games last year. He posted a 5.42 ERA as a starter and a 1.35 ERA as a...

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Orioles reach contract agreement with Tommy Hunter

January 14, 2013, 10:19am

Orioles

The Orioles are down to seven arbitration-eligible players who haven't agreed to terms. The club announced this afternoon that it reached agreement with pitcher Tommy Hunter on a one-year deal. Hunter, 26, went 7-8 with a 5.45 ERA in 33 games, including 20 starts, in 2012. He allowed 32 home runs in 133 2/3 innings. Hunter began the year in the rotation before spending time at Triple-A Norfolk and the Orioles' bullpen. He was 4-8 with a 5.71 ERA as a starter and 3-0 with a 3.71 ERA in...

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More from Buck Showalter

January 13, 2013, 5:17pm

Orioles

It would be highly surprising if the Orioles didn't announce manager Buck Showalter's contract extension this week, leading up to Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. Showalter keeps downplaying the importance of the extension. He almost seems embarrassed by the money he's already made in this game. "Honestly, the way I judge whether or not I've got enough money is, if I can walk into Target and buy anything I want, I'm in good shape," Showalter said Saturday on...

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Showalter on Hardy, Lindstrom, Saunders and trades

January 12, 2013, 8:59pm

Orioles

Showalter on Hardy, Lindstrom, Saunders and trades

Orioles manager Buck Showalter filled in for Dave Johnson yesterday as one of the co-hosts of "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN. He passed the audition. In case you missed it, I asked Showalter whether the Orioles would have to be overwhelmed by an offer in order to trade shortstop J.J. Hardy, who's coveted by the Detroit Tigers. "What's the word above overwhelmed? Stunned?" he said. "I like J.J. He's pretty good and he's going to have a big offensive year for us this year, I think....

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Orioles notes on infield coordinator and Mark Hendrickson

January 12, 2013, 7:48am

Orioles

The Orioles are preparing to hire Matt Martin as their new minor league infield coordinator, a position that became vacant with Bobby Dickerson's promotion to third base coach. Martin, 43, served in the same role with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2007-2011. Last year, he was named manager of the AZL Dodgers and coordinator of Arizona instruction. Previously, Martin managed the Pioneer League's Billings Mustangs (1996), the New York-Penn League's Jamestown Jammers (1997) and the Gulf Coast...

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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...