Roch Kubatko

Showalter says Andino "front-runner" for second base job (with Britton note)

February 15, 2012, 2:42am

Orioles

Showalter says Andino "front-runner" for second base job (with Britton note)

Now that Adam Jones is under contract for 2012, we can focus on other matters, like whether the Orioles will sign him to an extension. Executive vice president Dan Duquette prefers to wait until after the season and avoid any distractions. Those talks remain on the back burner, where they've been all along. In the meantime, Jones can report to Ed Smith Stadium later this month and figure out where he's batting and who's setting the table for him. Jones sorely missed Brian Roberts atop the...

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Orioles avoid arbitration with Adam Jones (updated)

February 14, 2012, 3:03pm

Orioles

The Orioles have signed center fielder Adam Jones to a one-year contract, avoiding an arbitration hearing that was scheduled for Friday morning in St. Petersburg, Fla. Jones, 26, batted .280/.319/.466 and set career highs in games (151), doubles (26), home runs (25), RBIs (83), stolen bases (12) and total bases (264). He was named Most Valuable Oriole by the media covering the team. Jones was the Orioles' last arbitration-eligible player without a contract. They started out with nine and...

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A few random thoughts

February 14, 2012, 3:40am

Orioles

Because so many of you must be curious, I'll reveal that my car passed the emissions inspection. The entire test lasted about two minutes. So worth the drive to Westminster. I've got more items to cross off my to-do list before Friday morning's early flight to Sarasota, but I'll keep at least one eye on the blog. There's still a good chance that the Orioles sign center fielder Adam Jones to a one-year deal before Friday's arbitration hearing. Executive vice president Dan Duquette seems...

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Orioles retain interest in Soler, five others

February 13, 2012, 8:05am

Orioles

Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive director of international recruiting, still plans on flying to the Dominican this weekend to scout six Cuban players, including 19-year-old outfielder Jorge Soler. Ferreira said he spoke this morning with Soler's representatives. He has a general idea of what they're looking for in terms of a contract. "A little bit, but that changes sometimes day to day," Ferreira said. "When you get down to business is when you find out." The Orioles found out...

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Are the Orioles done for now? (with notes)

February 13, 2012, 4:40am

Orioles

We could be facing a fairly quiet week if executive vice president Dan Duquette really is finished making changes to the roster before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. I'm still expecting a trade or two to go down before opening day, with the bullpen surplus a likely selling point to opposing teams. The last remaining order of business this week could be settling on a contract for center fielder Adam Jones. He's seeking $7.4 million after making $3.25 million last season,...

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Late-inning intrigue (updated)

February 12, 2012, 5:39am

Orioles

We're less than a week away from pitchers and catchers taking the back fields at Ed Smith Stadium for the Orioles' first spring training workout. I can't guarantee much these days, but I'm fairly certain that it won't be snowing sideways. Here's the list of non-roster invitees: Pitchers Edell, Ryan LHP Eyre, Willie RHP Galarraga, Armando RHP Johnson, Steve RHP Link, Jon RHP Neshek, Pat RHP Reyes, Dennys LHP Socolovich, Miguel RHP Villarreal, Oscar RHP Catchers Hester,...

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40-man maneuvering

February 11, 2012, 4:15am

Orioles

Take another look at the 40-man roster and count how many players were added from outside the organization after Robert Andino's walk-off single beat the Red Sox on Sept. 28. I'm not including pitcher Oliver Drake, who was protected in the Rule 5 draft: Pitchers: Jake Arrieta Luis Ayala Brad Bergesen Jason Berken Zach Britton Dylan Bundy Wei-Yin Chen Oliver Drake Dana Eveland Kevin Gregg Jason Hammel Tommy Hunter Jim Johnson Matt Lindstrom Brian Matusz Darren...

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Duquette on Ramirez and other topics

February 10, 2012, 3:28pm

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has pretty much dismissed the possibility that he'll sign veteran designated hitter Manny Ramirez. "I don't think there's going to be a fit for Manny," Duquette said. "We've looked at that all winter and I'm not sure there's a fit there for the Orioles. I wish Manny a lot of luck, but I just don't think he fits in our ballclub right now." Asked what else he plans to do with the roster before spring training, Duquette said, "I think...

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Orioles issue statement regarding Seong-Min Kim

February 10, 2012, 3:07pm

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has issued the following statement regarding 17-year-old Korean pitcher Seong-Min Kim: "On behalf of the Orioles organization, I offer a sincere apology to the Korea Baseball Organization and the Korea Baseball Association for the club's unintentional breach of protocol in failing to tender a status check in the process of signing Seong-Min Kim. The Orioles respect Major League Baseball's recruiting policies and the...

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Orioles not likely to sign Ramirez

February 10, 2012, 1:28pm

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated tonight that the Orioles won't sign veteran designated hitter

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Matt Angle designated for assignment

February 10, 2012, 11:44am

Orioles

Outfielder Matt Angle was designated for assignment today to make room for reliever

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Orioles reach agreement with Luis Ayala (updated)

February 10, 2012, 7:21am

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette found another late-inning reliever without making a trade. The club has reached agreement with right-hander Luis Ayala, and the deal will become official once his physical is completed and the results are known. It's believed to be a major league deal, which would require a corresponding 40-man roster move. Ayala, 34, was 2-2 with a 2.09 ERA in 52 appearances with the Yankees last season. He's 31-41 with a 3.47 ERA in seven seasons with six...

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So ... what now?

February 10, 2012, 3:50am

Orioles

Now that the dust has settled from that flurry of activity yesterday - Brad Bergesen's arbitration ruling, Nick Johnson's minor league contract - it's time to wonder whether the Orioles are finished with the roster before pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 18. I'm guessing that at least one more move is made before that date. Perhaps another late-inning reliever is added to the mix - Koji Uehara's return remains a possibility if the Rangers lower their demands, though I...

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Orioles reach agreement with Nick Johnson

February 09, 2012, 11:18am

Orioles

The Orioles have reached agreement with first baseman Nick Johnson on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Johnson could give manager Buck Showalter another option at first base and designated hitter. He also could share time at those spots with Joe Mahoney at Triple-A Norfolk. No promises come with the deal, only an opportunity. Johnson, 33, didn't play in the majors last year. He appeared in 53 games with Triple-A Columbus and batted .201/.316/.332 with...

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Bergesen loses in arbitration (O's sign Stuart Pomeranz)

February 09, 2012, 8:21am

Orioles

Bergesen loses in arbitration (O's sign Stuart Pomeranz)

Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen came out on the losing side in yesterday's arbitration hearing in St. Petersburg, Fla. Bergesen will make $800,000 this season after earning $434,000 in 2011. He sought $1.2 million. The Orioles haven't lost a hearing since 1995 with pitcher Ben McDonald. They're 7-0 with general counsel H. Russell Smouse. Yesterday's hearing included Smouse, executive vice president Dan Duquette, director of baseball administration Tripp Norton and assistant director of...

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Deep depth thoughts (and more)

February 08, 2012, 4:46pm

Orioles

We should find out today whether Brad Bergesen was declared the winner in his arbitration hearing, which would represent the Orioles' first defeat since 1995 with former pitcher Ben McDonald. Don't feel bad if it happens. The money isn't coming out of your checking account. Either way, Bergesen will receive a healthy raise. In this economy, that's reason to celebrate. Also, the Orioles could announce that they've reached agreement on a minor league deal with first baseman Nick Johnson....

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Orioles interested in Nick Johnson (updated)

February 08, 2012, 11:46am

Orioles

The Orioles have discussed signing free-agent first baseman Nick Johnson to a minor league contract. No word yet on whether an agreement has been reached, but his name has come up in the warehouse. Update: No deal is in place, but the sides are close to an agreement. Johnson, 33, didn't play in the majors last year. He appeared in 53 games with Triple-A Columbus and batted .201/.316/.332 with six doubles, six homers and 13 RBIs. Johnson has dealt with a myriad of health issues over the...

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Revisiting the Adam Jones debate (and more)

February 07, 2012, 6:49pm

Orioles

Revisiting the Adam Jones debate (and more)

Just a reminder that Brad Bergesen's arbitration hearing is scheduled for today in St. Petersburg, Fla. Bergesen is seeking $1.2 million and the Orioles are offering $800,000. He made $434,000 last season. Adam Jones' hearing is scheduled for Feb. 17. He's seeking $7.4 million and the Orioles countered at $5 million. He made $3.25 million last season. I'll say it again: The Orioles need to figure out whether they can sign Jones to a long-term deal. He's a free agent in 2014. His value...

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Ferreira will scout Cespedes and Soler in Dominican

February 07, 2012, 11:04am

Orioles

Ferreira will scout Cespedes and Soler in Dominican

The Orioles are still trying to determine their level of interest in Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The next step is for Fred Ferreira, their executive director of international recruiting, to take another look at him. Ferreira will head to the Dominican Republic in about 10 days to watch Cespedes work out. This will be his first look at the 26-year-old Cuban defector since shortly after the Winter Meetings in December. Ferreira has been reading reports provided by a few of his scouts...

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Former Orioles outfielder Danny Clyburn shot and killed in S.C.

February 07, 2012, 7:48am

Orioles

I have the unfortunate task of passing along some tragic news regarding former Orioles outfielder Danny Clyburn. Clyburn was shot and killed early this morning in Lancaster, S.C., according to a report in The Herald. He would have been 38 on opening day. The Herald reported that Derrick Lamont Mcilwain, 36, of Lancaster, has been arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. A witness told police that Clyburn was arguing with a man just before a shot was...