Roch Kubatko

Ex-Tides manager Ron Johnson dies of COVID-19 complications

January 26, 2021, 12:13pm

Orioles

Ex-Tides manager Ron Johnson dies of COVID-19 complications

Former Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson, who spent seven years in the Orioles organization and became one of its most popular members, died today in Tennessee of complications from COVID-19. He was 64. Family members confirmed the news to The Virginian-Pilot. Johnson is Norfolk's all-time winningest manager with a 491-511 record, an impressive accomplishment given the large turnover in personnel and constant shuttling of players between the majors and minors. He was named International...

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Penning more thoughts on some relievers

January 26, 2021, 5:53am

Orioles

Left-hander Fernando Abad, signed by the Orioles to a minor league contract in December, has been exceptional as the closer for Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League. Abad made 10 appearances prior to the Caribbean World Series and didn't allow a run in 11 innings. He surrendered only three hits, walked one batter, struck out 10 and recorded six saves. Toros del Este is set to compete in the Caribbean World Series beginning Sunday at Estadio Teodoro Mariscal in Mexico. Abad will be a...

This, that and the other

January 24, 2021, 10:34am

Orioles

The Pirates traded starter Jameson Taillon to the Yankees yesterday, surrendering a pitcher who underwent two Tommy John surgeries after becoming the second-overall pick in the 2010 draft. They received four prospects in return. There's a tie to the Orioles beyond his arrival in the American League East. Pittsburgh's choice in the draft came down to Taillon or prep shortstop Manny Machado, with the Orioles selecting third. Scouting director Joe Jordan would have pounced on Taillon if the...

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Taking another glance at some prospect lists

January 23, 2021, 10:45am

Orioles

Taking another glance at some prospect lists

Various sites are publishing their top prospects lists and the Orioles can't be ignored. No one puts baby Birds in the corner. Baseball America placed five Orioles in its Top 100: catcher Adley Rutschman (No. 2), right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (No. 22), left-hander DL Hall (No. 59), outfielder Heston Kjerstad (No. 62) and outfielder/first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (No. 63). The Orioles have never been represented by more than five players. Mountcastle retains rookie status, which makes him...

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More from Sanders on outfielders at minicamp and one who wasn't

January 23, 2021, 8:16am

Orioles

More from Sanders on outfielders at minicamp and one who wasn't

The three-day minicamp earlier this month in Sarasota, Fla., was designed for evaluation purposes and to provide needed work in the offseason prior to the start of spring training. For Orioles who aren't natural outfielders and others who want to get better at it. DJ Stewart wasn't just a participant. He was a driving force behind the idea. "The first thing I can say is this guy will work harder than anybody else we have out there," said first base coach and outfield instructor Anthony...

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Sanders talks about Diaz, McKenna and Mountcastle

January 22, 2021, 3:27pm

Orioles

Sanders talks about Diaz, McKenna and Mountcastle

The Orioles are counting on Yusniel Diaz, one of their top position prospects, to make his major league debut during the summer of 2021. A promotion that was put on hold due to COVID-19. Diaz will be in camp whenever position players are cleared to report. Published dates are written in hopeful strokes. First base coach Anthony Sanders doubles as the Orioles' outfield instructor and he had an opportunity to work with Diaz earlier this month at the three-day minicamp in Sarasota, Fla. "He...

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Hendriks' time with Orioles is orange and black haze

January 19, 2021, 3:41pm

Orioles

Liam Hendriks is the new White Sox closer after receiving a four-year deal worth $54 million. He was the American League's Reliever of the Year in 2020 after posting a 1.78 ERA and 0.671 WHIP, recording 14 saves in 15 chances, and walking three batters and striking out 37 in 25 1/3 innings. The walk total is one short of the number of teams that have designated him for assignment. The Orioles did it in spring training 2014 and lost him to the Blue Jays on a waiver claim. They had no idea that...

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Wondering whether it makes sense to keep or trade Santander

January 19, 2021, 3:36pm

Orioles

Wondering whether it makes sense to keep or trade Santander

The Orioles reached a point in the recent past where no one was viewed as untouchable. Make them an offer. There was room to fit everyone on the table. Some players were pushed harder than others in trade talks. Teams learned in 2018 that the Orioles needed to be overwhelmed in order to consider Trey Mancini. They were steered in other directions. The Orioles also were inclined to keep Mancini in 2019, noting his importance on the roster and in the clubhouse. Mancini, in turn, was asked almost...

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Kline explains his reasons for retiring

January 19, 2021, 3:28pm

Orioles

Branden Kline took his 98 mph fastball and went home. The Orioles drafted Kline, a Frederick native, in the second round in 2012 out of the University of Virginia. They aided his recoveries from multiple elbow surgeries that cost him two full seasons, introduced him to the majors in 2019 while providing a nice feel-good story, brought him up again last summer for three games, outrighted him in October and read about his retirement last week on social media. Kline celebrated his 29th birthday in...

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An anniversary brings questions from a man I miss

January 17, 2021, 6:16am

Orioles

An anniversary brings questions from a man I miss

I lost my father exactly two years ago today. I've learned through this crushing ordeal that it won't be any easier typing that sentence after three years. The number is going to change. Not the huge void in my life. And knowing that he never got to see my granddaughter, who would have melted his heart as she's done mine, brings a tremendous amount of sadness. My daughter found out that she was pregnant on this date in 2020. She says that he sent us this little angel. A middle school...

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What to do about the DH?

January 16, 2021, 1:09pm

Orioles

Almost two full months have passed since the Orioles set their 40-man roster before the Rule 5 draft and chose to designate Renato NÃºÃ±ez for assignment. One of their arbitration-eligible players was redirected into free agency. Another team would have to be comfortable paying NÃºÃ±ez in the neighborhood of $2 million. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said NÃºÃ±ez no longer fit on a reconstructed roster. There wasn't a clear position for him on the field. And...

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Still searching for some answers before spring training

January 16, 2021, 12:51pm

Orioles

Still searching for some answers before spring training

A new day brings a new set of questions and curiosities. For instance: * Will left-hander Josh Rogers be invited to spring training next month? Rogers underwent a second procedure on his left elbow on July 3, 2019, this one called an "ulnar collateral ligament revision." He had Tommy John surgery during his senior year in high school. Making it through his rehab program without any setbacks, Rogers was able to face hitters in the fall instructional camp and work with pitching coach/director...

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Leftovers for breakfast

January 16, 2021, 7:54am

Orioles

While the Orioles keeping waiting for Major League Baseball to establish its rules for 2021, especially roster sizes for spring training, they must prepare their case against outfielder Anthony Santander in next month's arbitration hearing. "Against" is a cringe-worthy word when considering his value to the club, his importance in the current state of the rebuild. But there's no other way to phrase it when one side wants to pay $2.1 million and the other side wants to receive $2.475...

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Orioles preparing for arbitration hearing with Santander

January 15, 2021, 10:59am

Orioles

The Orioles have ceased negotiations with the representatives for outfielder Anthony Santander and are preparing for an arbitration hearing next month. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias confirmed the team's stance this afternoon on a Zoom conference call with the local media. Both sides reached the 1 p.m. deadline without an agreement. Salary figures will be exchanged and a hearing date will be set for next month. "We have a file-to-go policy that I've been very consistent...

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Inviting conversation about non-roster players in spring training

January 14, 2021, 3:01pm

Orioles

Inviting conversation about non-roster players in spring training

Is it safe to slip into spring training mode? Is it really going to happen, with Orioles pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 16 - one day after most or all of the beat crew arrives in Sarasota, Fla.? Multiple reports are feeding us optimism by the ladle. That's nice. But I'll repeat that teams were told back in October to prepare as though camps would open on time and the season would consist of 162 games. We only know that nothing has changed in that regard. No one has been instructed to...

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On this date today and in the past (Mancini update)

January 14, 2021, 1:17pm

Orioles

On this date today and in the past (Mancini update)

The deadline has arrived for teams to sign their arbitration-eligible players for the 2021 season. The Orioles tendered contracts to outfielders Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander back on Dec. 2. However, the sides will exchange figures later this afternoon if they don't reach agreements by 1 p.m., and hearings will be scheduled for next month. Negotiations are allowed to continue beyond the salary exchange. However, the Orioles could be in file-and-trial mode again, which heightens the...

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Curious about Kjerstad in 2021

January 11, 2021, 1:29pm

Orioles

The implementation of the alternate camp site and participation in the fall instructional league were geared in part toward avoiding a setback in the development of prospects who couldn't get at-bats and innings in the minors. But what about the excluded players? What about outfielder Heston Kjerstad, who wasn't able to report to Prince George's Stadium or the Ed Smith Stadium complex because of an undisclosed non-sports medical issue? We're assuming here that he's been working out at...

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Taking a closer look at minicamp outfielders

January 10, 2021, 7:44am

Orioles

Taking a closer look at minicamp outfielders

The three-day minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex has reached its halfway point this morning. Five outfielders working with three instructors in Sarasota temperatures reaching the low 70s. The high fives will be kept to a minimum for social distancing purposes. The outfielders are in varying stages of their careers. Three of them have reached the majors. One remains a rookie in 2021 who is playing his fourth position. One is a former first-round draft pick. One is an infielder who...

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More on Mansolino and some minors mumblings

January 09, 2021, 3:30pm

Orioles

More on Mansolino and some minors mumblings

When the Orioles made the decision to remove JosÃ© Flores as third base coach and infield instructor, they didn't rush through the process of finding his replacement. They didn't react as though they were on the clock. There was a slow build to the composition of the final list of candidates, with the Orioles more interested in making an outside hire rather than shifting one of their coaches into a new role and further reducing the staff. They replaced pitching coach Doug Brocail with Chris...

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Taking a few wrong turns

January 09, 2021, 2:41pm

Orioles

Trying to predict moves in an unpredictable world is advised only if you're not putting down money. And I'm really talking about the baseball offseason. I get my share right. I also get some wrong. And sometimes I'm just a little surprised. I thought the Orioles would have no interest in bringing back Jonathan Villar, simply choosing to move on from a player they traded in December 2019, but they've spoken to his agent. A reunion remains a possibility. Villar obviously could play shortstop...