Roch Kubatko

Elias on trade, tenders and more

December 02, 2019, 4:44pm

Orioles

The Orioles were resigned to letting infielder Jonathan Villar walk away earlier today with nothing in return until trade interest picked up during the afternoon and led to a trade with the Marlins. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias stated on a conference call that conversations with other teams picked up three to four hours prior to the 8 p.m. deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players. The Marlins offered young left-hander Easton Lucas and a deal was...

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Bleier agrees to terms (Villar traded to Marlins)

December 02, 2019, 6:14am

Orioles

Bleier agrees to terms (Villar traded to Marlins)

The Orioles are down to six unsigned arbitration-eligible players after agreeing to terms with reliever Richard Bleier. It's going to be a busy day in the warehouse. Bleier figured to be the first domino to fall, especially with significant progress made over the weekend. Still unresolved, however, are the statuses of infielders Jonathan Villar and Hanser Alberto, infielder/outfielder Trey Mancini, starter Dylan Bundy and relievers Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro. Bundy is a strong candidate...

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Deadline arriving to tender contracts to arbitration-eligibles

December 01, 2019, 1:28pm

Orioles

Deadline arriving to tender contracts to arbitration-eligibles

The Orioles are plunging into a new week with Dylan Bundy still on the roster and a candidate to be traded or non-tendered. The deadline for the latter is 8 p.m. tonight. There are seven arbitration-eligible players on the club, including reliever Richard Bleier, who's going to be tendered a contract. I'm hearing that significant progress was made yesterday on a new deal to avoid arbitration. He'll be back in the bullpen. Bleier made $572,500 this season and MLBTradeRumors.com projected that...

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Rogers determined to pitch next season

November 30, 2019, 2:46pm

Orioles

Undergoing one Tommy John surgery isn't an unusual occurrence for a pitcher. It's almost become the norm, happening at earlier ages with a higher level of success rates. The panic factor isn't as intense. But two of the exact same procedures? Orioles left-hander Josh Rogers could feel cursed, but his latest recovery process is lined in silver. As he sees it, there are advantages attached to the familiarity. He knows what to expect and how to tweak the routine. The Orioles announced on July 3...

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More on Villar's placement on outright waivers

November 27, 2019, 2:44pm

Orioles

More on Villar's placement on outright waivers

Jonathan Villar was placed on outright waivers yesterday and he's still on them. No team has claimed him. No team seems willing to pay whatever he's going to make in arbitration, a salary that's expected to reach $10 million and maybe more. What's left to say about the situation? The Orioles are trying hard to trade him, as I've reported. They were in an aggressive mode at the July deadline, with the Cubs one of the teams engaged in talks, but no one took the bait. Executive vice...

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Are the Orioles close to trading Bundy? (Villar on waivers)

November 27, 2019, 8:17am

Orioles

There are no untouchables on the Orioles roster as they move through the offseason, a point made clear by executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and others in the organization. Only varying levels of motivation to move certain players. Dylan Bundy has been a candidate to change teams, though the rotation already is flimsy and prospects aren't going to be rushed as replacements. He's arbitration-eligible again and MLBTradeRumors.com projects his salary rising to $5.7 million,...

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Mancini ready to host Purple Tailgate

November 27, 2019, 6:00am

Orioles

The workouts, weddings and binge watching that have defined Trey Mancini's offseason will be put on hold this weekend as he hosts his first Purple Tailgate in Baltimore. The annual event will be held at the Stadium Square Lot on West Ostend Street prior to Sunday's NFL game between the Ravens and 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. All proceeds will be donated to the #MoStrong initiative and Kamryn Lambert Foundation. It's an extension of the friendship that's developed between Mancini and Mo...

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Taking another quizzical look at the Orioles

November 26, 2019, 2:40pm

Orioles

What's worse than the pop quiz I handed out on a Sunday? How about one around the holidays? This is what happens when you attend a school with no days off. You knew the risk. The first item crossed off the shopping list will be: Starting pitcher Reliever Middle infielder None of the above The opening day third baseman will be: Rio Ruiz Hanser Alberto Someone who isn't on the current roster None of the above Richie Martin will begin the year: At shortstop In a utility role At Triple-A Norfolk...

Which minor league signings could vie for jobs in camp?

November 26, 2019, 2:21pm

Orioles

Which minor league signings could vie for jobs in camp?

The batches of minor league signings that are completed throughout the offseason are aimed to increase depth and competition in the organization. Very little to get fans excited, but a necessity that unfolds all over baseball. The winners and the rebuilders. No one is immune. The Orioles announced a dozen names yesterday, including nine who are returning after a brief dalliance with free agency. Mason Williams was an early target after refusing his outright assignment and he's back to compete...

Orioles announce plans for "Winter Warm-Up"

November 26, 2019, 12:29pm

Orioles

The Orioles have announced plans to hold their first "Winter Warm-Up" event on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Camden Yards. This is one of the ideas intended to connect fans to the team, with others in the formative stages. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias, assistant Sig Mejdal and manager Brandon Hyde will participate in a "special conversation," per the team's press release. MASN's Rob Long will serve as emcee. The Orioles describe the atmosphere as Eutaw...

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Mason Williams among 12 players signed to minors deals

November 26, 2019, 6:54am

Orioles

Mason Williams among 12 players signed to minors deals

With center field depth an offseason priority for the Orioles, they agreed to terms with Mason Williams on a minor league contract that's certain to include an invitation to spring training in February. Williams is included among a dozen names tweeted earlier today by the club. And he's arguably the most important given the position and impression he made at Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles also agreed to terms with pitchers Cristian Alvarado, Hunter Cervenka, Francisco JimÃ©nez and Rob...

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Digging deeper into the hiring of Rosenbaum and Rowe

November 25, 2019, 3:25pm

Orioles

Digging deeper into the hiring of Rosenbaum and Rowe

The new hires and reassignments in the Orioles' minor league system that were made public yesterday in a press release included a batch of names from outside professional baseball. As expected and, in some cases, already reported. Tim Gibbons, the hitting coach at Double-A Bowie, worked as director of hitting at Elite Sports Training. Ryan Fuller, the hitting coach at Single-A Delmarva, comes from Power in Training. These aren't affiliates. There are recent interns, trainees and apprentices....

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Source: Orioles hire Anthony Sanders as first base coach

November 25, 2019, 1:50pm

Orioles

The Orioles are down to two vacancies on their major league coaching staff. A deal was finalized today to make Anthony Sanders the first base coach, according to a source. The Orioles haven't announced it. The sides drew close to an agreement late last week, and the final details have been completed. Sanders, 45, replaces Arnie Beyeler, who was told last month that he wouldn't be retained after one season. Sanders also can assume Beyeler's duties as outfield instructor based on his...

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Orioles announce minor league staffs

November 25, 2019, 7:34am

Orioles

The Orioles have unveiled their minor league managers and coaches for their eight affiliates, one of the more important tasks of the offseason. Included is the expansion to a five-man staff, as previously reported. Gary Kendall returns as Triple-A Norfolk manager, Buck Britton returns to Double-A Bowie, Kevin Bradshaw returns to short-season Single-A Aberdeen and Alan Mills is back with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League team. Britton, in his second season as a minor league manager, led the...

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Flaherty becomes latest ex-Oriole to join Padres coaching staff

November 24, 2019, 4:27pm

Orioles

Flaherty becomes latest ex-Oriole to join Padres coaching staff

As we wait for Orioles news beyond additions to the front office and 40-man roster, I'm wondering what exactly is happening in San Diego. Besides the perfect weather, of course. The Padres reportedly have hired former Orioles utility infielder Ryan Flaherty as quality control coach. They've already added Bobby Dickerson as bench coach and Wayne Kirby as first base coach - two former members of manager Buck Showalter's staff. An announcement is expected this week. If the Padres really want to...

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Mountcastle's next goal is to make opening day roster

November 23, 2019, 2:29pm

Orioles

Mountcastle's next goal is to make opening day roster

Making the 40-man roster was the easy part for Ryan Mountcastle, the Orioles' fourth-ranked prospect per MLB.com and the No. 2 position player behind catcher Adley Rutschman, who leads the pack after being the first-overall pick in this year's First-Year Player Draft. Mountcastle faces a much stiffer challenge trying to make the club out of spring training. This is where he loses slam-dunk status. The Orioles protected Mountcastle before the Rule 5 draft. They might continue to protect him by...

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More from Bleier on leadership and his struggles

November 22, 2019, 4:36pm

Orioles

More from Bleier on leadership and his struggles

Beyond the ground balls he can induce and the outs he can coax in the late innings, especially versus left-handed hitters, Orioles reliever Richard Bleier also has become a leader in a bullpen that tends to attract inexperienced pitchers trying to become established major leaguers. Bleier just completed his fourth season, though he appeared in only 23 games as a rookie with the Yankees in 2016 and 31 with the Orioles in 2018 before undergoing lat surgery. He's become a go-to guy both on and...

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Bleier: "I still think I provide value to the team"

November 21, 2019, 4:21pm

Orioles

Bleier: "I still think I provide value to the team"

Orioles reliever Richard Bleier knows one thing about his status on the club entering an arbitration year. He's eligible for arbitration. That's it. Bleier isn't certain that he'll be tendered a contract by the Dec. 2 deadline. He can't say that he's definitely in the bullpen in 2020 and only waiting now to learn about his salary. MLBTradeRumors.com projects Bleier at $1.1 million after he made $572,500 in the worst season of his major league career. A rebuilding team shedding payroll...

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O's progressing toward deal with Sanders as first base coach

November 21, 2019, 11:24am

Orioles

O's progressing toward deal with Sanders as first base coach

The Orioles are whittling down the vacancies on their coaching staff. Their talks with Anthony Sanders appear to be gaining momentum toward an agreement, though the proximity varies depending on the source. He's certainly become the frontrunner for the job and is expected to land it. FOX Sports reported that Sanders and the Orioles are close to an agreement. He would replace Arnie Beyeler as first base coach and also has the background to assume the responsibilities as outfield...

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More on the Orioles' 40-man roster

November 20, 2019, 4:05pm

Orioles

Selecting the contracts of four players yesterday is only the latest work done by the Orioles on their 40-man roster. It was a big step, of course, because they had to decide which ones to protect prior to the Dec. 12 Rule 5 draft in San Diego that concludes the Winter Meetings and enables sportswriters to set land speed records with their filed stories before grabbing flights home. (I'm not missing my 1:35 p.m. flight, even if I have to brush airline pretzel crumbs off the keyboard.) The...