Roch Kubatko

Orioles announce plans for first "Birdland Caravan"

January 22, 2020, 11:13am

Orioles

The Orioles are devoting the final weekend before pitchers and catchers report to spring training to engaging with fans via a "Birdland Caravan" that covers 12 locations across the region. A fresher approach leading into a new season. The winter tour runs from Feb. 7-9 and makes stops in Ellicott City, Annapolis, Aberdeen, Timonium, Bowie, Westminster, Hagerstown, White Marsh, Frederick, Fallston, Fort Meade and York, Pa. Players who are participating include Trey Mancini, Hanser Alberto, Rio...

Orioles interested in bringing back Beckham

January 21, 2020, 11:12am

Orioles

Could the Orioles' search for infield depth lead them to one of their former players? It's a possibility. According the multiple sources, the Orioles are interested in veteran Tim Beckham and have discussed a minor league contract. This is an intriguing development for a couple of reasons, the first being that Beckham spent 1 1/2 seasons with the Orioles before they non-tendered him on Nov. 30, 2018. But there's also the 80-game suspension handed down on Aug. 6, 2019 after Beckham tested...

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This, that and the other

January 20, 2020, 11:43am

Orioles

Before the Orioles could sign pitcher Kohl Stewart and give him a shot at their rotation in 2020, he had to choose which sport to play after high school and attempt to make it a career. Stewart was an Under Armour All-American quarterback in high school who earned a football scholarship to Texas A&M. The Twins made him the fourth overall selection in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft and gave him a $4.5 million bonus. Decision made. "When I was an 18-year-old kid, it was a tough call just...

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Orioles remain interested in starting pitchers and infielders

January 19, 2020, 4:00pm

Orioles

The days keep melting away until pitchers and catchers report to the spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla. The Orioles have filled some of their needs, but they aren't done. While the media keeps making predictions on the rotation, the guesswork aimed at the back end of it, the club has been negotiating with representatives for starting pitchers who remain on the market. I'm hearing that the Orioles are discussing major league deals and minor league contracts that would include...

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Wojciechowski changing his approach to pitching

January 17, 2020, 12:20pm

Orioles

Wojciechowski changing his approach to pitching

The four-seam fastball is going to hold up as Asher Wojciechowski's primary pitch in 2020, with his slider and cutter still representing the main secondary stuff. However, he's been devoting a large chunk of his winter workouts to gaining trust in a fourth pitch. Give the hitters something else to think about. Expand the repertoire and perhaps last longer in games. Wojciechowski barely used his changeup as the year progressed - never more than 3.28 percent in August to down to 1.17 percent in...

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Wojciechowski reluctant to get comfortable with starting status

January 17, 2020, 11:38am

Orioles

Wojciechowski reluctant to get comfortable with starting status

The articles posted in the offseason list him among the projected starting pitchers. People with a tremendous amount of influence in the Orioles organization expect him to make it, as if it would take some bizarre occurrence to deviate from the plan. So why won't right-hander Asher Wojciechowski believe it? Wojciechowski isn't used to arriving at spring training with a job basically waiting for him, but these are the 2020 Orioles and a rebuild makes it possible to change the narrative. If the...

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Infield questions linger for Orioles

January 16, 2020, 12:07pm

Orioles

While wondering if I should jump off the baseball beat and cover something more believable, like World Wrestling Entertainment ... What are the Orioles doing at third base? Mark it down as another storyline heading into spring training. Rio Ruiz made 89 starts at third to lead the club, but he also was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk and pretty much shared the position with Hanser Alberto. The Orioles could give him a shot at an everyday job, which he'll have to earn in camp. He's actually a...

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Orioles lose Valaika on waiver claim

January 16, 2020, 11:33am

Orioles

The competition for a utility job with the Orioles has grown thinner. The Diamondbacks claimed Pat Valaika off waivers this afternoon after the Orioles designated him for assignment on Friday while selecting Richard UreÃ±a off waivers from the Blue Jays. UreÃ±a is poised to break camp with the team as a backup at various positions, most importantly shortstop behind starter JosÃ© Iglesias. Meanwhile, Valaika is joining his third organization since Oct. 30. The Orioles claimed Valaika off...

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Because You Asked - The Final Destination

January 15, 2020, 7:29am

Orioles

Because You Asked - The Final Destination

The Orioles have removed a lot of the uncertainty that hung in the air after their final game of the season. However, there are questions that always linger like the aroma of a hard-boiled egg. And that's no yolk. This is why mailbags exists. This is why I continue to do sequels to the original. I don't have all the answers, but I'll keep pretending. Forgive the snark. What's your ideal rotation for the Orioles? Palmer, McNally, Dobson and Cuellar. Trying this again, what's your ideal...

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Wondering about Orioles' outfield alignment

January 14, 2020, 9:58am

Orioles

The days are dwindling until Orioles pitchers and catchers report, and the intrigue and curiosity are building as more storylines begin to develop. Others will surface with the front office continuing to explore the free agent and trade markets, but we're already off to a good start. The various competitions will provide copy, including the rotation, bullpen and bench. Someone is bound to get hurt, which requires daily updates and the hope that it's anything except a groin. And there's...

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Hanhold outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk

January 13, 2020, 1:10pm

Orioles

Another player who had been designated for assignment by the Orioles is staying in the organization. Pitcher Eric Hanhold has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, with the club making the announcement on Twitter. The Orioles designated Hanhold for assignment on Tuesday to create room for shortstop JosÃ© Iglesias on the 40-man roster. Hanhold was a Sept. 16 waiver claim from the Mets, but he didn't pitch for the Orioles. They shut him down and now figure to invite him to...

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January 09, 2020, 12:00pm

Orioles

The Orioles have whittled the number of unsigned arbitration-eligible players to three by reaching agreement today with right-hander Miguel Castro on a contract for the 2020 season. Multiple industry sources confirmed the signing. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported that Castro and the Orioles settled at $1.05 million to avoid a hearing. The deal reportedly includes awards bonuses. Castro, in his first year of eligibility, earned $569,000 last season. MLBTradeRumors.com projected that he'd...