Conversation with Rich Hill

Conversation with Rich Hill
Pitcher Rich Hill told me last night that he's heard from a "pretty good amount of teams" that are interested in signing him, but he's still waiting for a major league deal that will return him to a 40-man roster. Hill estimated that he could make a decision within the next two weeks, and the Orioles remain in the mix. He elected to become a free agent after being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, but they're apparently open to re-signing him to a minor league deal. "Anything is...

Trading places

Trading places
This little nugget probably won't make you feel any better about those 12 straight losing seasons that are continually thrust into our faces, but did you know that the Orioles are the fifth-best trading team of the 20th century? I doubt that the 2000 season is included in this survey. I received an e-mail earlier today from ACTA Sports that credits statistical consultant Doug Decatur for using "Win Shares," a statistic developed by baseball guru Bill James to determine how many wins a...

The Bedard debate

The Bedard debate
As I scrolled through the comments yesterday, I noticed a little back-and-forth among fans regarding pitcher Erik Bedard. And since the forecast doesn't call for an avalanche of news to bury the blog this week, I'll gladly take the opportunity to turn the discussion into an entry. (Before you ask, nobody is getting a check in the mail for giving me the idea. Nice try, though.) Bedard carries the reputation as a guy who asks out of games early, who doesn't shoulder enough of the workload...

Agents of fortune

Agents of fortune
A neighbor was nice enough to lend me his snow shovel so I could dig out my car. It was falling apart, and the crack running through it widened by the time I finished, so I'll buy him a new one to show my gratitude. He'd rather have Jason Bay, but he'll settle for a shovel. Does anyone want Bay? The Mets look like they're the only bidder, though I still expect another team to jump out of the shadows, similar to the Yankees with Mark Teixeira last winter. Bay apparently wants a fifth year...

A few extras from Trembley

A few extras from Trembley
I just realized that I don't own a snow shovel or a broom. This isn't good. I did stock up on food, and I have a bottle of Grey Goose in the freezer. I'm not totally unprepared. I wonder if the neighbors will laugh at me if I take a mop outside to knock the snow off my car. Or whether they'll laugh when I'm unable to find my car. I'll be standing on the roof and not even know it. Orioles manager Dave Trembley believes closer Mike Gonzalez can bring the same leadership and steadying...

Getting warm by the hot stove

Getting warm by the hot stove
So is it true that snow's in the forecast today? Last night's Hot Stove Show on 105.7 The Fan and ESPN 1300 sparked an interesting discussion regarding Jeremy Guthrie's slotting for next season. With Kevin Millwood sitting atop the rotation, the natural assumption has been that Guthrie will slide down to No. 2. But as host Jim Hunter pointed out, the Orioles could lower Guthrie to fourth, putting another 200-inning starter near the backend and perhaps easing some of the strain on the...

Trembley chimes in

Trembley chimes in
Orioles manager Dave Trembley spoke to reporters via a conference call after Mike Gonzalez left the room. Gonzalez should have stuck around. Trembley had plenty of good things to say about him. "I'm glad we have him. Thrilled," Trembley said. "I talked to him earlier today. He has experience, he's pitched late in the game, he's left-handed. More importantly, he's excited to be with us. I think all those things are very favorable for all of us." Trembley has no qualms about referring...

More Gonzo

More Gonzo
Reliever Mike Gonzalez said the Orioles were "definitely on his radar" when the free-agent market opened for business. "Just seeing the talent alone that these guys had," he said. "Sometimes, they get a little overshadowed just because of the other teams - the Yankees and the Red Sox - but this is a good ballclub. And these guys are only going to get better. "I'd like to thank Andy (MacPhail) and my agent Scott (Boras) for making this very quick and easy and painless. Those were kind...

Gonzalez: Meet the press

Gonzalez: Meet the press
The first thing I learned about reliever Mike Gonzalez today is he's obviously done his homework on the Orioles. "Looking at the lineup, seeing the core, these guys are not just young, but very talented guys," he said. "You look at the defense. I've got a great middle defense up in the front, the middle infield and the outfield. As a pitcher, that's what you want, that's what you look for. It seemed like a good fit for me. "They're exciting, they're young, they're very talented....

Gonzalez official

Gonzalez official
It isn't breaking news, but reliever Mike Gonzalez passed his physical and will meet with reporters at the Warehouse at 4:00 p.m. He'll fly out of Baltimore a few hours later, and we'll wait for Garrett Atkins' arrival. I'll post Gonzalez's comments before heading to the station for the Hot Stove Show.

On today's agenda

On today's agenda
The Mike Gonzalez signing will become official later today, assuming there are no issues with his physical. I expect to be meeting him at the warehouse this afternoon. It still appears that we'll have to wait on Garrett Atkins until early next week. Shameless plug alert: The Hot Stove Show is back on 105.7 The Fan beginning tonight at 8 p.m. (no MASN). We'll hear from manager Dave Trembley and pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. The trade for Kevin Millwood knocks Guthrie from the top of the...

B-Rob on the trades and his Holliday wish

B-Rob on the trades and his Holliday wish
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has played on the same team as new closer Mike Gonzalez, but that was eight years ago in the Arizona Fall League. "We're going to come full circle after a long while," Roberts said earlier today during his weekly call-in segment on the Scott Garceau and Anita Marks Show on MASN and 105.7 The Fan. "I'm excited. I think any time you can add somebody like that to the back of the bullpen, that's a great addition for us. You're hoping that when you get...

More on the Orioles

More on the Orioles
The club isn't going to confirm the Mike Gonzalez and Garrett Atkins signings until both players pass their physicals. Technically, they're still not Orioles property. The Orioles are in the process of arranging for Gonzalez to report to Camden Yards tomorrow, but Atkins is more likely to arrive early next week. Gonzalez moved to the top of the Orioles' wish list because the system is thin in left-handed pitching, and he can close or work in a set-up role. He's likely to get the bulk of...

A few things

A few things
The Denver Post's Troy Renck reports that Garrett Atkins' one-year deal with the Orioles guarantees him $4.5 million (including a $500,000 buyout) and includes an $8.5 million club option for 2011. Atkins also can make an addtional $500,000 in plate appearance bonuses. All that's left is for Atkins to pass his physical and the Orioles to make the deal official by admitting to it. I'm still trying to find out whether the Orioles' physicians are done studying Erik Bedard's medical...

About last night...

About last night...
If you missed it last night, you woke up to some pretty exciting news. Rodrigo Lopez signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Also, the Orioles reached agreement with closer Mike Gonzalez and corner infielder Garrett Atkins. These things can happen quickly - and while you're wearing a coat a tie and filling a small plate with appetizers. But I did find it convenient that the MASN WebStudio was two floors below me. And hey, who doesn't love rushing out of a holiday party...

Meanwhile, in the news...(updated)

Meanwhile, in the news...(updated)
So a funny thing happened while I was attending a holiday party at the warehouse - about 15 people just rushed over to tell me that reliever Mike Gonzalez apparently has agreed to a two-year deal with the Orioles. I haven't gotten confirmation from a team official, but enough people are talking about it - especially The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec - that we'll assume it's true. I left messages - text and voice - for president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. He's not likely to address the...

Quick FanFest update

Quick FanFest update
As I was heading out the door, the Orioles confirmed that FanFest 2010 will take place on Jan. 23 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in. The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. with early entry for season plan holders beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 14 and under and anyone over 55. All proceeds will go toward signing a first baseman. OK, kidding. Individual game tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m....

Another blockbuster trade on the horizon?

Another blockbuster trade on the horizon?
I read a report today that says the Red Sox are aggressively pursuing first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. I also read a report that says the two sides aren't talking. I read a report today that says the Mets are offering a five-year deal to free-agent outfielder Jason Bay. I also read a report that says the Mets haven't offered more than four years. Again, welcome to the Hot Stove season. Be careful if you want to touch it. My friend Jorge Arangure at ESPN.com - that's right, Jorge, we're...

Debating Guthrie's role

Debating Guthrie's role
The news that evangelist Oral Roberts died yesterday from complications of pneumonia reminded me of how, as a kid, I'd see "Oral Roberts" listed in TV Guide and think it was "Orioles Report." I'd be all bummed out because we didn't get that station and I was missing all the news and highlights about my favorite team. What a loser. Earlier this week on SIRIUS XM's MLB Home Plate channel, host Steve Davis (formerly of WBAL Radio) asked Orioles pitching coach Rick Kranitz whether...

Chapman update

Chapman update
John Stockstill, the Orioles' director of international scouting, is flying back to Baltimore tonight after watching Aroldis Chapman's bullpen session earlier today in Houston and also meeting with the Cuban left-hander's representatives. Stockstill estimated that Chapman threw 75 pitches, with representatives for 20-25 clubs in attendance. "It was not really set up for evaluations," Stockstill said. "They wanted to let everybody see that he's healthy. He threw a light bullpen. Now...