Roch Kubatko

Joe Saunders off the board (Orioles sign Galarraga to minor league deal)

January 17, 2012, 11:47am

Orioles

Free-agent pitcher Joe Saunders has agreed to a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Steve Henson of Yahoo! Sports. The Orioles were interested in Saunders, a native of Falls Church, Va., who was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks, and they had discussions with his agent. Shortstop J.J. Hardy works out with Saunders in Arizona, and he mentioned on Jan. 3 during a phone interview on "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" that Saunders confirmed how the Orioles made "recent"...

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Duquette talks about Peterson, arbitration and Cespedes (updated)

January 17, 2012, 7:21am

Orioles

Duquette talks about Peterson, arbitration and Cespedes (updated)

Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed earlier today that the Orioles hired Rick Peterson as the organization's director of pitching development. Peterson signed a one-year contract. He'll basically replace former minor league pitching coordinator Alan Dunn, with expanded duties. "We've been talking to Rick since early November," Duquette said. "I was looking at my phone the other day. We've been talking to him since around Nov. 15. He's an accomplished pro. We want him to...

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Cespedes, arbitration, Chen and Cordero

January 16, 2012, 6:08pm

Orioles

Because you can't get enough of the Yoenis Cespedes updates, I'll pass along that he went 1-for-4 last night for Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League. He was removed for a pinch runner in the ninth inning. Miguel Tejada started at second base. I'm serious. Actually, Tejada made four starts at second base for the Giants last season - the only four of his career. As for Cespedes, he's 2-for-19 with six strikeouts in five games. He's gotten two balls out of the infield. I'm facing...

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Peterson accepts position with Orioles (Johnson update)

January 16, 2012, 3:14pm

Orioles

It took a while, but former major league pitching coach Rick Peterson has accepted a job with the Orioles. An announcement has been anticipated for more than a month. Peterson met with team officials on at least three occasions, the first time Dec. 1, before an agreement finally was reached today. Peterson basically will replace Alan Dunn as minor league pitching coordinator, though his title is expected to be director of pitching development. Peterson was named pitching coach in Oakland...

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O'Day signs, update on Hudson

January 16, 2012, 10:01am

Orioles

The Orioles are down to five unsigned arbitration-eligible players. They reached agreement with reliever Darren O'Day last month, according to a team official, so his name should have been crossed off the list I provided over the weekend. O'Day, claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Nov. 2, earned $1.25 million last season while going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 16 relief appearances. He had a much better and healthier 2010, going 6-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 72 games. The Sun is reporting...

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Who's the next player to come off the 40-man?

January 15, 2012, 5:46pm

Orioles

Who's the next player to come off the 40-man?

In 32 more days, I'll be boarding a flight to Sarasota for my 16th spring training on the Orioles beat. The players, managers and top executives have changed along the way. So have the home complexes and my employers. But I'm pretty sure that I get stuck with the same rental car every year. Executive vice president Dan Duquette hasn't crossed every item off his to-do list. He still needs to add at least one more hitter, and we're not sure whether he's done searching for starting...

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Hoiles is still waiting for a chance to rejoin the Orioles

January 15, 2012, 5:50am

Orioles

Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is 1-for-11 with an infield hit and five strikeouts in three Dominican Winter League games. He hasn't gotten a ball to the outfield. At this rate, the Orioles will be able to sign him to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. I had a nice conversation a few nights ago with former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles. He's looking to get back into the organization where he played from 1989-1998. And he's pretty much willing to work in any...

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Orioles purchase Fatse's contract from independent team

January 14, 2012, 12:30pm

Orioles

In case I failed to mention this transaction in a previous entry, I'll pass along today that the Orioles have purchased the contract of infielder/outfielder Peter Fatse from the Newark Bears, according to the independent league team's Web site. It's more minor league depth, and another player from Massachusetts (Hampden, to be exact.) Here's what I know about Fatse after doing a little research: He's 24 and a former 24th-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers out of the University of...

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A few quick hits

January 13, 2012, 7:50pm

Orioles

So much for the Yankees being quiet this winter. I blinked last night and they acquired two frontline starters. It must be nice to slot Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda behind CC Sabathia. The Yankees are about seven deep in starters right now, and they'd love to dump A.J. Burnett. They'll gladly drive him to your front door. Last night's activity takes the Yankees off the market for free agent Edwin Jackson. I'm still loving the idea of a Scott Boras package-deal involving Jackson,...

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Fielder not slated to visit Charm City

January 13, 2012, 1:27pm

Orioles

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported earlier today that free agent first baseman Prince Fielder and agent Scott Boras are in Dallas to visit with the Texas Rangers. Apparently, the Fielder/Boras Tour is cranked up again. This will come as no surprise, but I'm told that the tandem isn't scheduled to meet with Orioles officials. At least not yet. We'll leave the door a little cracked, but that's it. The Rangers are viewed as one of those teams that's been lying in the weeds, waiting for...

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Cespedes, Jones and a new question (updated)

January 12, 2012, 5:44pm

Orioles

Cespedes, Jones and a new question (updated)

Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, playing his first game last night with Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League, struck out three times and was hit by a pitch in four plate appearances. One observer noted on Twitter that Cespedes had trouble with the slider. That does it. He's overrated. You'll recall that the Orioles scouted Cespedes during a private workout in the Dominican immediately after the Winter Meetings. They aren't commenting on him, perhaps waiting until he establishes...

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Alan Mills returns to organization

January 12, 2012, 12:03pm

Orioles

Former Orioles reliever Alan Mills, who never met a brawl he didn't like, is returning to the organization as pitching coach at short-season Single-A Aberdeen. Mills, who pitched for the Orioles from 1992-1998, and again from 2000-2001, will replace Scott McGregor. The former Orioles' left-hander has been reassigned to a position in Sarasota. Mills found out about his hiring shortly after Jan. 1. I wrote about his interest in coming back to the Orioles on Nov. 29, and again shortly after...

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Bordick accepts analyst job at MASN (updated)

January 12, 2012, 9:46am

Orioles

Bordick accepts analyst job at MASN (updated)

Former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick has accepted a job as analyst at MASN after meeting earlier today with network officials. Bordick will sign a multiple-year deal with the network. He'll work 81 games, splitting commentary duties with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer. Bordick also has been offered a chance to do some on-field work for the club, including infield coordinator and baserunning instructor at the minor league level. Bordick said he'll need to talk further with John Stockstill,...

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Luke Scott talks about new contract and old team

January 12, 2012, 8:41am

Orioles

Luke Scott talks about new contract and old team

Luke Scott signed his new contract with the Tampa Bay Rays earlier today. He'll make $5 million in 2012, and his deal includes a $6 million option in 2013 with a $1 million buyout. He was paid $6.4 million last season. Scott says the Orioles never made him an offer after non-tendering him on Dec. 12. His agent, Page Odle, only heard from the club once, a little more than a week ago. "They just did not show much interest at all," said Scott, who was named Most Valuable Oriole in 2010. "At...

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Orioles hire Boulanger as hitting coordinator (Scott contract info)

January 12, 2012, 4:00am

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette inched closer to completing his minor league staff by hiring Michael Boulanger as hitting coordinator. Boulanger held the same title with the Texas Rangers until June 8, when he replaced Scott Coolbaugh as hitting coach at Triple-A Round Rock. Coolbaugh replaced Thad Bosley as the Rangers' hitting coach. Boulanger has ties to Duquette and manager Buck Showalter. He previously served as a a minor league manager with the Minnesota Twins and Boston...

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This and that

January 11, 2012, 5:06pm

Orioles

I'm filing a shorter entry this morning, so there's no "other." Luke Scott's agreement with Tampa Bay should become official later today. The Rays are expected to make an announcement on his one-year deal, which reportedly includes an option for 2013. The Orioles must have someone else in mind for the designated hitter role. Nolan Reimold remains in play, if manager Buck Showalter is comfortable with Endy Chavez as his left fielder/leadoff hitter. Scott wanted to return, but the...

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Luke Scott off the DH board

January 11, 2012, 8:36am

Orioles

The Orioles won't be re-signing Luke Scott as their designated hitter. Scott has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Rays on a one-year contract, according to an industry source. The deal will become official once he passes a physical. Scott batted .220 with 11 doubles, nine homers and 22 RBIs in 64 games with the Orioles last season. He underwent surgery July 26 in Pensacola, Fla., to repair posterior and SLAP tears in his right labrum. In 2010, Scott was voted Most Valuable Oriole after...

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A few minutes with Robert Andino

January 10, 2012, 4:42pm

Orioles

Looking back at yesterday's interview with executive vice president Dan Duquette, I find myself again trying to read between the lines without straining my eyes. Duquette isn't going to reveal much to reporters. He downplayed interest in Wei-Yin Chen on at least three occasions this winter, saying that he didn't know much about the Taiwanese pitcher. He wasn't going to admit that the Orioles had scouted Chen for years in anticipation of the left-hander becoming a free agent and moving to...

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Notes on Jones, Poitevint, Chen, rotation and orientation

January 10, 2012, 11:24am

Orioles

Notes on Jones, Poitevint, Chen, rotation and orientation

Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today that the Orioles haven't approached Adam Jones' agent about a contract extension. Jones, who's represented by Nez Balelo of CAA Sports, is two seasons away from free agency. Jones has been the subject of trade rumors, most notably involving the Atlanta Braves, despite Duquette's insistence that he wants to build around the center fielder. When asked today about a possible extension for Jones, Duquette said, "We're not focused on that...

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Orioles make Chen signing official, DFA Hudson (more)

January 10, 2012, 4:27am

Orioles

The Orioles announced today that they signed Taiwanese left-hander Wei-Yin Chen to a three-year contract with a club option for 2015. He will wear No. 16. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated outfielder Kyle Hudson for assignment. Chen, 26, will be the first Taiwanese-born player in Orioles history. The 6-foot, 195-lb. left-hander went 36-30 with a 2.48 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 117 games (88 starts) over the last four seasons with the Chunichi Dragons in the Central...