Roch Kubatko

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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Will Showalter take home the hardware tonight?

November 12, 2012, 3:47pm

Orioles

Will Showalter take home the hardware tonight?

The Orioles' last chance to win a significant postseason award comes tonight with Buck Showalter being among the three finalists for American League Manager of the Year. The Baseball Writers' Association of America voting came down to Showalter, the Athletics' Bob Melvin and the White Sox's Robin Ventura. Showalter edged out Melvin for The Sporting News award, with their peers turning in the ballots. Showalter has won the award twice previously, with the Rangers in 2004 and the Yankees in...

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Chen receives two third-place votes for AL Rookie of the Year (with minor league signings)

November 12, 2012, 1:33pm

Orioles

Chen receives two third-place votes for AL Rookie of the Year (with minor league signings)

There was little drama surrounding tonight's announcement of the American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year. The Angels' Mike Trout was the eighth unanimous AL winner in the award's history, receiving all 28 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The Athletics' Yoenis Cespedes finished second and the Rangers' Yu Darvish was third, which is how my ballot looked when I submitted it shortly before the conclusion of the regular season. Cespedes...

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Chen adds parenthood to major league resume

November 12, 2012, 9:39am

Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen and his wife, Yi-Wen, are the proud parents of a baby boy. Karsten was born this morning at 8:07 a.m. No word on whether translator Tim Lin joined the couple in the delivery room. Chen is a father for the first time. And there's no angst brewing over how long his paternity leave will last and whether he'll miss any games. Good timing. Chen didn't return to his native Taiwan after the season. He's been working out in California in preparation for his...

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Rookies rate highly in Baltimore

November 12, 2012, 3:18am

Orioles

The Baseball Writers' Association of America will reveal its Rookies of the Year tonight, and the Orioles are merely spectators for this award. The Angels' Mike Trout will be the runaway winner in the American League, followed by the Athletics' Yoenis Cespedes and the Rangers' Yu Darvish. There's no drama. The National League finalists are the Reds' Todd Frazier, the Nationals' Bryce Harper and the Diamondbacks' Wade Miley. The guess here is Harper wins the award. The Orioles don't...

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This, that and the other, Part II

November 11, 2012, 3:54am

Orioles

A few more leftovers from my notebook: The Orioles had seven players total 100 or more strikeouts in 2012: Chris Davis (169), Mark Reynolds (159), Adam Jones (126), Matt Wieters (112), J.J. Hardy (106), Wilson Betmit (103) and Robert Andino (100). That's a lot, right? Betemit's 103 strikeouts came in 341 at-bats. Hardy hit .238/.282/.389 with 30 doubles, 22 home runs and 68 RBIs in 663 at-bats. He was the Orioles' No. 2 hitter in 150 of his 158 games, batting .236/.281/.380 in 631...

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This, that and the other

November 10, 2012, 3:57am

Orioles

Anyone find it interesting that the Orioles seem to be focused on finding a designated hitter or left fielder, with no mention of first base? This thought process could change if they don't re-sign Mark Reynolds. Or it means they will move Chris Davis to first base. Or ... something else. The Orioles aren't real keen on clogging up the DH spot with a player who can't contribute in the field, but it seems to work out that way. Ideally, they would find someone who also can play first base or...

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This and that from GM meetings

November 09, 2012, 5:48pm

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he "formally met" with a little more than half the teams at the general managers meetings that concluded earlier today in Indian Wells, Calif. He also spoke to executives from about 10 other teams to "get an idea of what teams are looking for in trades." In addition, Duquette said he spoke to five or six agents who are representing free agent players, describing it as "preliminary talks" that likely will continue at next month's Winter...

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Still no meetings scheduled regarding Showalter extension (Ford agrees to terms)

November 09, 2012, 10:59am

Orioles

Still no meetings scheduled regarding Showalter extension (Ford agrees to terms)

One of the hot rumors at the general managers meetings in Indians Wells, Calif., involves the Orioles moving closer to signing manager Buck Showalter to a contract extension. There's little doubt that a deal will get done. As Showalter has told me in the past, it will be a short conversation. But nothing is scheduled at the moment. Showalter is into his third week of rehabilitation back home in Texas after undergoing a partial replacement of his right knee. It's a six-to-nine-week process,...

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Lee MacPhail passes away at age 95 (with Angelos statement)

November 09, 2012, 8:25am

Orioles

Lee MacPhail passes away at age 95 (with Angelos statement)

Lee MacPhail, former Orioles general manager and father of former president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, passed away Thursday evening of natural causes at his home in Delray Beach, Fla. He was the oldest living Hall of Famer, having celebrated his 95th birthday with family and friends two weeks ago. MacPhail was hired as Orioles general manager in 1959 and laid the groundwork for the team that swept the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998...

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Butler does it for the Orioles

November 09, 2012, 3:43am

Orioles

Now that the Orioles have been shut out of the Silver Slugger Awards, it's up to manager Buck Showalter to bring home the hardware. The Baseball Writers' Association of America will reveal their Managers of the Year in both leagues Tuesday night, with live announcements coming on MLB Network. Showalter, Oakland's Bob Melvin and the White Sox's Robin Ventura are the AL finalists. Ventura is mostly a spectator. It's coming down to Showalter or Melvin. An Oriole won't win the Rookie of the...

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Orioles fail to win a Silver Slugger Award

November 08, 2012, 1:52pm

Orioles

The Orioles ended their most cumbersome and painful streak this season, posting a winning record and making the playoffs for the first time since 1997, but they remain without a Louisville Silver Slugger Award over the last four years. The winners were announced tonight on MLB Network, and none of the Orioles made the list. Center fielder Adam Jones figured to have an outside chance after batting .287/.334/.505 with 39 doubles, three triples, 32 homers, 82 RBIs and 103 runs scored in 162...

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Revisiting yesterday's rumors

November 07, 2012, 6:42pm

Orioles

No matter how many times I've been warned, I can't resist touching the hot stove. We learned yesterday through various reports from the GM meetings that the Orioles are interested in Josh Hamilton and Cody Ross as possibilities in left field. One is more realistic than the other. Care to guess? It would be a tremendous reversal in front office thinking if the Orioles were serious about making a run at Hamilton. Executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated the day after Game 5 of the...

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Duquette shut out in Sporting News executive voting

November 07, 2012, 6:31pm

Orioles

Duquette shut out in Sporting News executive voting

Oakland Athletics vice president and general manager Billy Beane has been named The Sporting News' 2012 Major League Baseball Executive of the Year, as selected by a panel of 57 major league executives. You can read about it here. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't receive a single vote despite trading for Jason Hammel and signing Taiwanese left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, right-hander Miguel Gonzalez and outfielder Nate McLouth, among others. These moves helped the Orioles finish...

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Nieves has ties to the Orioles

November 07, 2012, 10:48am

Orioles

The Red Sox surprised the baseball world by hiring Juan Nieves as their pitching coach. All signs pointed toward Orioles director of pitching development Rick Peterson, a long-time friend and former minor league coach of new Boston manager John Farrell. Farrell reportedly favored Peterson. Maybe he didn't have the final vote. Peterson has his supporters and detractors within the Orioles organization. Not everyone is buying into his methods and philosophies. It would be erroneous to assume...