Roch Kubatko

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...

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Orioles notes on minicamp and free agent possibilities

January 07, 2021, 3:27pm

Orioles

The Orioles are proceeding as though their pitchers and catchers will report to spring training on Feb. 16. As though there will be a full slate of workouts and exhibition games, followed by opening day on April 1 in Boston. They can't let the unpredictability of a pandemic influence their plans. Adjustments will be made if necessary. In the meantime, it's been deemed safe to hold a minicamp from Monday-Wednesday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, with players and coaches following in-season...

Sulser on working with Holmes and Holt

January 06, 2021, 3:59pm

Orioles

The change in titles for Darren Holmes from Orioles bullpen coach to assistant pitching coach won't distance him from the relievers. He's going to have the same vantage point for games, with the same influence. That's good news to Cole Sulser, who said he benefited from his work with Holmes in 2020. "It was great. It was a fantastic experience," Sulser said this week. "I think his wealth of knowledge with how many years he played in major bullpen roles was a great resource for all of us...

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Holt tasked with setting innings restrictions and freedoms

January 06, 2021, 3:52pm

Orioles

Holt tasked with setting innings restrictions and freedoms

In his second year as a major league manager, Brandon Hyde had to guide the Orioles through an unprecedented season in the midst of a pandemic. In his first season as a major league pitching coach, Chris Holt will assume responsibility of a staff that's never before had to ramp back up following a 60-game schedule and now faces the uncertainty of 2021. How, exactly, is that going to work? Holt didn't seem the least bit worried about it during yesterday's Zoom conference call with the media....

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Holt: "My primary job is the major league pitching staff"

January 06, 2021, 10:54am

Orioles

Holt: "My primary job is the major league pitching staff"

Giving Chris Holt two titles and sets of responsibilities raised one very interesting question. How would he blend his roles as Orioles pitching coach and director of pitching? Holt made it clear this afternoon in a Zoom conference call with the media that his new assignment as Doug Brocail's replacement is the top priority. "My primary job is the major league pitching staff," he said. "The goal of remaining the director of pitching is to have a top-down approach, make sure there's...

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Sulser on trying to pitch through injury (updated)

January 05, 2021, 1:18pm

Orioles

Sulser on trying to pitch through injury (updated)

To reduce the number of free passes he issued last summer, Orioles reliever Cole Sulser thinks he just needs to be more careful walking around his apartment. Sulser injured his right foot in a freakish accident that he believes led to inconsistencies in his delivery and mechanics, and the eventual loss of his job as closer. He averaged 6.8 walks per nine innings, compared to 2.7 over six minor league seasons. So what happened to Sulser, who made his first opening day roster and topped the...

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Orioles announce 2021 coaching staff

January 05, 2021, 10:27am

Orioles

The Orioles announced their 2021 coaching staff this afternoon, which provided further confirmation that Tony Mansolino is handling third base duties and infield instruction. Mansolino, 38, replaces JosÃ© Flores, who isn't returning after two seasons in the organization. News of Mansolino's hiring broke last month. He was the Indians' infield instructor and filled in at third base after Mike Sarbaugh moved into the dugout to serve as acting manager Sandy Alomar's bench coach. Mansolino...

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Cueing some curiosities in 2021

January 04, 2021, 12:31pm

Orioles

The Baltimore baseball media often was promised during manager Buck Showalter's tenure that its curiosity soon would be satisfied. Mostly, yes. Sometimes, no. I'm curious whether spring training is going to start on the dates set for each club. Of course, every team is being told to get ready for it. The same message was sent in October. What's the alternative? Better to keep that mindset and adjust later if necessary, rather than assume a delay and then be surprised when camp opens on time....

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Focusing on Orioles who can expect extra attention

January 02, 2021, 11:22am

Orioles

Anyone can perform under the lights, but what about a microscope? A few Orioles are destined to attract more attention than others in camp and during the season, whether due to prospect status, health, recent hiring or set of responsibilities. There's no escaping it. Rather than wait, let's get it started now and avoid the rush. Third base coach Tony Mansolino The coaching staff has undergone more changes, with Mansolino the outside hire as the replacement for JosÃ© Flores. Being a third...

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Five things that won't happen in 2021

January 01, 2021, 9:33am

Orioles

I don't know much, but I've got a pretty firm grasp on what won't happen with the Orioles. Predictions can work that way, too. I'll avoid the painfully obvious stuff like, "The Orioles won't carry one catcher on their opening day roster." Or, "The Orioles won't replace the warehouse with LEGO blocks." Or, "The Orioles won't move to Nashville at the All-Star break." My insults won't be aimed at your intelligence. Since every sportswriter list apparently has to contain five items...

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This, that and the other

January 01, 2021, 9:00am

Orioles

The hiring of Quincy Boyd last month as an area scout was prompted by Rich Morales' departure from the Orioles. Morales accepted a West Coast position with the Mets. Why did Morales, who signed outfielder Cedric Mullins and catcher Austin Wynns and won the Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award in 2018, make the move across the country? "It was not an easy decision to leave the Orioles, but an opportunity was presented to me to get me back home on the West Coast," he said. "My father is 77 now...

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Hess on Rutschman: "He's the real deal"

December 31, 2020, 6:38am

Orioles

Before pitcher David Hess took his first dive into free agency and came up with a minor league deal from the Rays, he spent the majority of his summer at the Orioles' alternate camp site in Bowie. The Orioles put Hess on their opening day roster and gave him one relief appearance in July and two in August - all of them on the road and in blowouts. There were the occasional taxi squad assignments, including the duration of the final trip of 2020. Otherwise, Hess worked out at Prince George's...

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What's coming in 2021?

December 30, 2020, 12:00pm

Orioles

A new year always conjures up old memories of poor judgement while waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square. A second countdown pertaining to how long a stomach is going to cooperate before beginning to reject everything inside it. The ball is lowered and your dinner comes up. Here's hoping that none of you are experiencing such misery. Like the time decades ago when I thought tequila was the perfect nightcap. And the morning of Jan. 1, 2012, when my friend stood at his front door as I...

Seeking a fresh start in 2021

December 30, 2020, 7:11am

Orioles

It's just another New Year's Eve, another night like all the rest. It's just another New Year's Eve, let's make it the best. (If I can reference Garrett Cleavinger twice within a week, I can sing along with Barry Manilow to close out 2020. There are no rules.) I feel bad for the people who keep acting as though the world is returning to normal after tonight. The "I can't wait for 2020 to be over" crowd. I've got bad news for you. It won't feel any different in the morning or the next...

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More on Martin in shortstop competition

December 29, 2020, 9:28am

Orioles

Shortstop Richie Martin remains in the Puerto Rican Winter League with Criollos de Caguas, where he's appeared in 14 games and gone 13-for-51 (.255) with six doubles, two home runs, six walks and a .345 on-base percentage. More at-bats and reps in the field after a wasted 2020 season. The Orioles are expected to bring in a shortstop to replace JosÃ© Iglesias, who was traded to the Angels for minor league pitchers Garrett Stallings and Jean Pinto. It won't be Adeiny HechavarrÃa, who...

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Flaherty on Mansolino: "He'll be good, really good"

December 28, 2020, 11:04am

Orioles

Flaherty on Mansolino: "He'll be good, really good"

Former Orioles utility player Ryan Flaherty believes that the club made a smart hire in Tony Mansolino, who is replacing JosÃ© Flores as third base coach and infield instructor. Flaherty has known Mansolino for a long time. They were drafted three years apart from Vanderbilt University and Mansolino managed Flaherty at Triple-A Columbus in the Indians organization in 2019. The Orioles haven't announced the composition of their coaching staff, but a source last week confirmed Mansolino's...