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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Roch Kubatko

Bay tripper (updated)

Bay tripper (updated)
Rather than being forced to accept a lower offer than the one he turned down from the Red Sox, outfielder Jason Bay reportedly has agreed to a four-year, $66 million deal with the Mets that includes a vesting option for 2014 that could bring the total package to around $80 million. Bay didn't want any part of Citi Field until the Mets gave him around 80 million reasons why he should reconsider. The Orioles weren't going to venture into that neighborhood for Bay, and the vast majority of...
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Roch Kubatko

The next class

The next class
While wondering how many of you were surprised by LeRon McClain's selection to the Pro Bowl... With so many readers being curious about next year's free-agent class, and debating it's worth vs. the current crop, I wanted to pass along this link from mlbtraderumors, in case you missed it in the comments section. You'll notice a significant drop at first base after Albert Pujols (and this is assuming he doesn't sign an extension before hitting the market with the same force that he uses to...
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Roch Kubatko

No Holliday greeting (expanded)

No Holliday greeting (expanded)
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail has denied a FOXSports report that the club made an eight-year, $130 million offer to free-agent outfielder Matt Holliday. MacPhail said there's "no validity" to it. And he was adamant. MacPhail and agent Scott Boras discussed Holliday once, during negotiations with free-agent closer Mike Gonzalez, but the Orioles weren't willing to meet his price. Sorry to disappoint you, but Holliday's demands far exceed what the Orioles are...
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Roch Kubatko

Shorebird shuffling

Shorebird shuffling
Was it supposed to snow again? Wasn't I supposed to buy a shovel and gloves? I hate winter. The Orioles still need to fill a few more positions on their minor league staffs, but they've already made an interesting hire at Single-A Delmarva. Former center fielder Mike Devereaux will serve as field coach for the Shorebirds in 2010, replacing former third baseman Ryan Minor, who has been promoted to manager. It's nice to have Devereaux in the organization again. I didn't know he had any...
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Roch Kubatko

A little housekeeping

A little housekeeping
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail indicated yesterday that the Orioles aren't nearing any deals for a corner infielder or starting pitcher. These things can change abruptly, but nothing is expected to happen in the near future - unless they offer Matt Holliday $200 million over 10 years. It appears that first baseman Carlos Delgado could begin playing in Puerto Rico this weekend, which would give the Orioles a chance to scout him. I'll see if his name starts appearing in any...
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Roch Kubatko

Oh Danys Boy

Oh Danys Boy
I can't let Danys Baez join the Phillies without wishing him the best of luck with team No. 6. Baez reportedly has agreed to a two-year deal, pending a physical next week. I'm a little surprised that he netted more than one year, but good for him. A few notes about Baez from the 2009 season: • He went 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA, 59 hits allowed, 22 walks and 40 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings. • He allowed one earned run or fewer in 50...
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Roch Kubatko

The first entry of 2010

The first entry of 2010
Happy New Year to everyone here at the School of Roch. I hope your head isn't pounding so loudly that the neighbors can hear it. I'm not big on resolutions, but I refuse to watch any bowl game that's named for a corporate sponsor. That means the Outback Bowl can bite it. Same to you, Capital One Bowl. The Konica Minolta Gator Bowl gets a pass, but just barely. Do they still play the Tangerine Bowl? Yes, they do. It's now the Capital One Bowl. So, did anyone make a sports-themed...
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Roch Kubatko

Who's on first? - Part II

Who's on first? - Part II
The NFL Network still lists the Denver Broncos as one of the two wild card teams in the AFC, and the Ravens as being "in the hunt" with an identical record. Shouldn't that be reversed, since the Ravens beat the Broncos earlier this season? I understand that it's a complicated formula, but the Ravens are in if they win. Picking winners against the spread is especially challenging in the final week of the regular season, with teams that have clinched first-round byes often choosing to rest...
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Roch Kubatko

Venting machine

Venting machine
Please tell me why I'm forced to watch the San Diego-Washington game on FOX-45, instead of the Dallas-Philadelphia matchup that's much more interesting and important? Who's the pinhead behind that decision? Is it coming from the network or the league? I need answers. I want his name and home address. I know we're supposed to be slobbering all over the Ravens today, but my television comes with a remote. Dallas-Philly is a big game. I wanted to switch back and forth. It's what I do on...
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Roch Kubatko

Delgado debuts

Delgado debuts
Carlos Delgado made his long-awaited debut tonight in the Puerto Rican Winter League, going 1-for-4 while batting fourth as the designated hitter for Gigantes de Carolina. That's good enough for me. Sign him. Kidding. I don't want a singles hitter batting cleanup for the Orioles. Again, kidding. We'll judge him later in the month. More important, the Orioles will do so after scouting him. Lou Montanez's team, Criollos de Caguas, provided the opposition, but he hasn't played since...
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Roch Kubatko

Springing forward

Springing forward
While wondering if Gilbert Arenas simply misunderstood what his coach meant by a morning shootaround... I've got about six more weeks before I fly into the Sarasota airport with a look of confusion and angst on my face. I don't know how to fly a plane. Actually, it's because my comfort zone for spring training will be gone. I'll feel lost for a while, not knowing the best routes to my hotel, the ballpark, a bar that's still serving at 2 a.m. It's never too early for me to stress out....
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Roch Kubatko

Springing forward - Part II

Springing forward - Part II
If you missed it, former Oriole John Parrish signed a minor league deal with the Royals. Here's hoping that Parrish doesn't report to spring training in a body cast. Also, ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the Cardinals and outfielder Matt Holliday are close to a deal, which has pretty much been the word around baseball today. And SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that the Red Sox are nearing an agreement with third baseman Adrian Beltre. I walked outside earlier today and noticed an...
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Roch Kubatko

In the news...

In the news...
Gilbert Arenas claims that he brought guns into the Wizards' locker room so he could play a joke on a teammate. The Wizards should claim they were only joking when they gave him that $111 million contract. Carlos Delgado went 2-for-4 with a strikeout last night in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He batted fourth again as the designated hitter. I find it amusing that Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa posted a message on Twitter last week. Times really have changed. We've been trying to drag...
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Roch Kubatko

Dwindling market for LaRoche?

Dwindling market for LaRoche?
The Orioles need a corner infielder, and first baseman Adam LaRoche looks like the most appealing option among the free agents on the market. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that LaRoche turned down the Giants' two-year, $17 million offer. At least he hasn't panicked yet. Olney speculates (and that's all he's doing here) that the Giants and Orioles are the only potential suitors for LaRoche. The Orioles aren't likely to exceed San Francisco's offer, but by allowing the market to - brace...
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