Roch Kubatko

Making no offers they can't refuse

Making no offers they can't refuse
It's 7:30 a.m. and I've already been exposed to the most disturbing sight of the day: A bus driver talking on her cell phone. Focus, lady, focus. Today is also the day that teams must decide whether to offer arbitration to their free agents, which could lead to extra draft picks if those players decline and sign elsewhere. Unless there's been a drastic change that nobody anticipated, the Orioles won't be offering it to Melvin Mora, Mark Hendrickson, Danys Baez or Chad Moeller. Mora is...
0
Roch Kubatko

Who's on first?

Orioles
Who's on first?
We still don't know. Orioles manager Dave Trembley remains convinced that the first base situation "will be addressed before spring training," as he wrote in an e-mail to me earlier today. That could mean Garrett Atkins or an acquisition from outside the organization. It doesn't sound like Trembley expects to rummage through the inventory, but he might be playing a hunch. More likely, he's basing that opinion on conversations with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. I've...
0
Tags:
orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko

Trembley on Pie

Orioles
Trembley on Pie
Felix Pie returned to Sarasota before the final out in today's 6-6 tie because George M. Steinbrenner Field doesn't have the necessary X-ray equipment. I thought the Yankees splurged for everything. "They don't think it's anything serious, but they have to get an X-ray," manager Dave Trembley said. "That's standard. If somebody gets hit, they get an X-ray. I wouldn't make a big deal out of it until you find out tomorrow where he's at or you get the word on the X-ray." Expect...
0
Tags:
orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko

Lugo's "welcome to the Orioles" moment (w/Pie update)

Orioles
Lugo's "welcome to the Orioles" moment (w/Pie update)
Julio Lugo's first at-bat with the Orioles came with the bases loaded and one out in a tie game. No pressure. Lugo struck out on four pitches, failing to check his swing on the last one from non-roster reliever Grant Duff, but Robert Andino followed with a two-run single. Orioles 6, Yankees 4. Andino homered yesterday after learning of the trade. Now he's snapped a 4-4 tie in the seventh inning. You figure it out. Pie update: Felix Pie suffered a "lower right leg contusion." He'll...
0
Tags:
orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko

Pie limps off field (with update)

Pie limps off field (with update)
Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, pitching the sixth inning today, knocked Felix Pie out of the game. Pie appeared to be hit just above the right ankle and crumbled to the ground. He eventually rose to his feet, but was in obvious pain as he limped toward the dugout and into the trainers room in the visiting clubhouse. Rivera usually has impeccible control, but he's walked a batter and hit another one. My guess is Pie will be listed as day-to-day with a contusion. Update: The Orioles scored...
0
Roch Kubatko

Game update

Orioles
Game update
Alfredo Simon retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced, Mark Teixeira's single the only interruption. Four of the five hits he allowed, and all four runs, came in the first inning. Simon didn't walk a batter and struck out two. His velocity was outstanding. Ross Wolf has replaced Simon. We're not used to seeing him enter a game this early. The Orioles collected seven hits off Andy Pettitte in 4 1/3 innings, including singles by Brian Roberts and Nolan Reimold in the fifth. Naturally,...
0
Tags:
orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko

Two observations

Orioles
Two observations
Alfredo Simon allowed four runs in the first inning and almost took off Derek Jeter's head in the second, but the guy's pumping 97-mph fastballs to home plate. It's easy to forget that Simon underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow 10 months ago. Most guys aren't back on the mound this early. Simon is bringing his best heat. Simon made Jeter look foolish while striking him out on a curveball after flashing that 97-mph fastball. Felix Pie doubled in the second inning...
0
Tags:
orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko

Nothing new on Andino (w/game update)

Orioles
Nothing new on Andino (w/game update)
No sense teasing you and referring to this entry as an "update." The Orioles don't appear close to finding a trade partner for utility infielder Robert Andino, who became expendable once they acquired Julio Lugo from the St. Louis Cardinals. It's worth noting that the Orioles didn't think they would obtain Lugo until a few days ago. Things can change quickly. Andino is out of options, so he would have to pass through waivers before being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. And you can...
0
Tags:
orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko

Pre-game notes

Orioles
Pre-game notes
Kam Mickolio made it through a bullpen session without reinjuring his groin, and he'll follow Brad Bergesen to the mound in Sunday's intrasquad game. The game will be closed to the media. The entire complex will be closed to the media. And we're not complaining. The Orioles' roster must be finalized and turned into the MLB office by 3 p.m. Sunday. "I would say we're close," manager Dave Trembley said. "You never know, though. I've been in this game long enough to know things happen...
0
Tags:
orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko

Yankees lineup

Orioles
Yankees lineup
Derek Jeter SS Nick Johnson DH Mark Teixeira 1B Alex Rodriguez 3B Robinson Cano 2B Nick Swisher RF Curtis Granderson CF Brett Gardner LF Mike Rivera C Andy Pettitte LHP
0
Tags:
orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko

A steady Atkins diet of comments

A steady Atkins diet of comments
Garrett Atkins knew for the last three or four months that the Rockies would non-tender him. And he learned of the Orioles' interest in him almost immediately after the move became official. "Obviously, it's a great opportunity here," he said during today's conference call. "You look at the lineup and they have great hitters - young, left-handed and right-handed. This lineup will score runs. And this is obviously a good place to hit. "It's a good city, a good baseball city. It's a...
0
Roch Kubatko

Sifting through the stats and quotes

Sifting through the stats and quotes
Garrett Atkins is 3-for-23 lifetime at Camden Yards, with one RBI, one run scored, two walks and five strikeouts. Atkins is batting .450 (9-for-20) in five games as a designated hitter, including two doubles, one homer, four RBIs and one run scored. He's a .243 career hitter with eight homers in 105 games at first base, and a .295 hitter with 88 homers in 642 games at third base. As a pinch-hitter, Atkins is 8-for-42 (.190) with one homer and eight RBIs. Atkins also has played one game at...
0
Roch Kubatko

Crunching some numbers with breakfast

Crunching some numbers with breakfast
While sifting through the Orioles' post-season media guide, I came across a few numbers that jumped off the pages. As if I needed this place to become more cluttered. For example: * Nick Markakis batted .211 with five extra-base hits in his last 28 games; he hit .405 in nine games against the White Sox, and .324 with 30 RBIs in 36 games against the Red Sox and Yankees; he batted .337 in 64 wins and .260 in 97 losses. * Nolan Reimold batted .312 against the AL East. * Matt Wieters batted...
0
Roch Kubatko

Unable to decide on Delgado

Unable to decide on Delgado
It's become part of my winter routine. I file a blog entry, check the reader comments and do a search on Carlos Delgado to see whether he's playing in Puerto Rico. So far, his stat line reads as follows: Average: .000 Home runs: 0 RBIs: 0 Games: 0 Delgado is listed as a reserve on the Gigantes de Carolina roster in the Puerto Rican Winter League - which apparently means he reserves the right not to play. The Orioles want to scout Delgado while deciding whether to sign another first...
0
Roch Kubatko

Crowing about the next challenge

Crowing about the next challenge
Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley doesn't know a lot about Garrett Atkins, but he has a pretty firm grasp on how he'll form a relationship with the infielder and bring out the best in him. Crowley inherits the responsibility of putting Atkins back on the right track after the seven-year veteran skidded into a ditch in Colorado. Atkins batted .226 with nine homers and 48 RBIs. He lost his starting job at third base. Now he needs to find his way. "This actually is one of my...
0
Roch Kubatko

Crow on Pie

Crow on Pie
No, it isn't a holiday tradition at my house, or a nasty prank that Santa pulls on the kids. While talking about new infielder Garrett Atkins this week, Orioles hitting coach Terry Crowley summoned Felix Pie's name as he contemplated the work that awaited him in spring training. Crowley pointed out that Atkins is in a separate category because Pie only had a minor league track record when he showed up at Fort Lauderdale Stadium earlier this year. Atkins has put up impressive numbers in the...
0
Roch Kubatko

As the market plays out

As the market plays out
With a week left before the ball drops on another year, a few free agents on the market might want to consider lowering their demands. Third baseman Adrian Beltre reportedly is seeking $10-15 million a year, but teams aren't forming a line around the block to hand it over. The Athletics reportedly are interested in him, but "only in an Oakland economy-size financial package," according to ESPN's Buster Olney. That doesn't sound anywhere close to $10-15 million. Adam LaRoche is rumored to...
0
Roch Kubatko

Because You Asked - The Quickening

Because You Asked - The Quickening
Tempers have been pretty hot around here lately, but nothing compares to the heat that rises off the hot stove - except during the holiday break. Better wear your gloves if you're looking to warm your hands. With the Orioles in wait-and-see mode as we approach the start of 2010, this seemed like a good time to break out another entry that tackles the most popular questions that appear on this blog...over and over and over again. • Do you think the Orioles would...
0
Roch Kubatko

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
My belated Christmas continues in Ocean Pines today, but I wanted to keep the blog fires burning. I hope most of you have recovered from your holiday celebrations and are preparing for a happy and safe New Year. No truth to the rumor that the ball has been moved from Times Square and will drop in shallow right field at Camden Yards. My sister bought me the 10th anniversary edition of The Big Lebowski, which will provide my first chance to watch it. I guess she's just as appalled as the rest...
0
Roch Kubatko

The outfield and more on Steve Johnson

The outfield and more on Steve Johnson
If you're a fan of FanGraphs, you might be interested in this piece about the Orioles' potential logjam in the outfield - which doesn't seem to concern the Orioles, considering they were ready to coax Al Bumbry and Ken Singleton out of retirement back in September as they began to run short of healthy bodies. I'd like to add a few key points: Luke Scott might approve a move to first base, but the Orioles certainly do not. Manager Dave Trembley dropped a pretty strong hint about Scott's...
0



LATEST ORIOLES NEWS

LATEST NATIONALS NEWS

       
1053 1054 1055 1056 1057 1058 1059 1060 1061 1062