Roch Kubatko

This, that and the other

April 02, 2010, 1:33pm

Show of hands if you "get" the title of last night's entry - The wisdom of bringing back Moeller. Or maybe you have to be a dentist. I'm packing my laptop with all the winter meeting necessities, and I just found an old notepad that contains enough clean pages to be useful. As I was flipping through it, I discovered some questions that I had scribbled down for one of the Orioles' new acquisitions. I wanted Jaret Wright's reaction to the trade, and to learn more about his relationship...

The wisdom of bringing back Moeller

April 02, 2010, 1:33pm

The last few weeks have been hectic and rewarding for catcher Chad Moeller. His wife, Nicole, gave birth to the couple's third child (and second son), Cash Benjamin, on Nov. 23. And earlier today, Moeller and the Orioles reached agreement on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. The Orioles declined Moeller's $850,000 option so they could remove him from the 40-man roster, but they also made it clear that they wanted him to stay in the organization. And...

Moeller signs

April 02, 2010, 1:32pm

As expected, catcher Chad Moeller has agreed to terms on a minor league deal that includes a spring training invite. Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, confirmed the signing, which was reported earlier today by The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. The Orioles declined Moeller's $850,000 option to create room on the 40-man roster, but they wanted him back. He's regarded as the frontrunner to serve as Matt Wieters' backup next season.

Rummaging through my notebook

April 02, 2010, 1:32pm

Carlos Delgado hasn't started playing for Gigantes de Carolina of the Puerto Rican Winter League. The Orioles still intend to scout him later this month unless they find another first baseman. I exchanged emails with Delgago's agent, David Sloane, who said he won't be making any comments regarding negotiations. Nothing personal. It's just in his client's best interests. Sloane, who won't be attending the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, sent out mass emails to reporters that provided...

Not getting Miggy with it - Part II

April 02, 2010, 1:30pm

It doesn't appear that the Orioles will be making any moves prior to the Winter Meetings that begin on Monday. It's safe to leave the house. I'm still not getting any indication that the Orioles are serious players for free agent Miguel Tejada. They're not in a position to rule out anything at this stage, but I'm told they're far more likely to go in another direction while trying to find a replacement for third baseman Melvin Mora. The Tejada talk has mostly been speculative, which...

Let's get excited, or at least try

April 02, 2010, 1:29pm

I want to go the rest of the day without hearing Tigers Woods' name. That's my modest goal. I'll sign off this subject by again pointing out that Woods turned a circus into a bigger circus by fending off the police for three days and chastising the media for starting rumors. And he's still venting about "tabloid scrutiny," even though at least part of the story proved to be true. You know, the infidelity part. At least that's the assumption after he sort of admitted to something...

Orioles announce 2010 Spring Training schedule

April 02, 2010, 1:28pm

The Orioles announced their 2010 spring training schedule earlier today. Pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout on Thursday, Feb. 18. The first full-squad workout will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The Orioles will hold a team workout at Ed Smith Stadium on Sunday, April 4 and a workout at Tropicana Field on Monday, April 5 prior to their 2010 Opening Day game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, April 6 in St. Petersburg. Individual tickets for all 16 spring training...

The rumor Millwood

April 02, 2010, 1:27pm

I didn't fall asleep until 2:30 a.m. and woke up for the last time at 6:05 a.m., so I'm trying not to bump into anything as I stumble around this blog. FOXSports reported earlier this week that the Orioles contacted the Texas Rangers regarding pitcher Kevin Millwood. Talks weren't considered serious, according to one source. The Rangers are looking to unload Millwood's $12 million salary for next season. I don't anticipate that the Orioles will be the team absorbing it, but there's...

In the news...

April 02, 2010, 1:26pm

We're still a little over six hours from the midnight deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their free agents, and nothing has changed with the Orioles. They're not going to do it. "Very unlikely" is how one person described it. That's good enough for me. I'm fully prepared to go to bed at 11:45 p.m. without having to make a mad dash for the laptop. Yankees manager Joe Girardi volunteered to be a special guest instructor to teach Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez how to...

MacPhail talks about Krivsky's departure

April 02, 2010, 1:26pm

Orioles special assistant Wayne Krivsky recently became the sixth member of the organization that an opposing team requested permission to interview for a job opening, and the third to leave for a better opportunity. "I would say we must be doing something right," president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. Dave Hollins accepted a scouting position with the Phillies, and Midwest crosschecker Deron Rombach was named national crosschecker for the Braves. The Orioles denied...

Making no offers they can't refuse

April 02, 2010, 1:25pm

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...

Who's on first?

April 02, 2010, 1:17pm

Orioles

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...

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orioles spring training

Trembley on Pie

April 02, 2010, 1:16pm

Orioles

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...

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orioles spring training

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

April 02, 2010, 1:15pm

Orioles

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...

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orioles spring training

Pie limps off field (with update)

April 02, 2010, 1:14pm

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...

Game update

April 02, 2010, 1:11pm

Orioles

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,...

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orioles spring training

Two observations

April 02, 2010, 1:10pm

Orioles

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...

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orioles spring training

Nothing new on Andino (w/game update)

April 02, 2010, 1:08pm

Orioles

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...

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orioles spring training

Pre-game notes

April 02, 2010, 1:07pm

Orioles

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...

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orioles spring training

Yankees lineup

April 02, 2010, 1:06pm

Orioles

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