Roch Kubatko

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...

Orioles select contracts of Mountcastle, Akin, Kremer and McKenna

November 20, 2019, 10:03am

Orioles

The Orioles are protecting four prospects by placing them on the 40-man roster today prior to the Rule 5 draft that's held this year on Dec. 12 in San Diego. The roster grew to 39 players with the additions of infielder/outfielder Ryan Mountcastle, pitchers Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer, and outfielder Ryan McKenna. The Orioles selected the Mountcastle, Akin and Kremer contracts from Triple-A Norfolk and the McKenna contract from Double-A Bowie. Notable omissions include pitchers Cody Sedlock, a...

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Winning stays on back burner as Orioles continue transformation

November 19, 2019, 5:47pm

Orioles

Nothing that the Orioles are doing as you read this first sentence is geared toward making a significant jump in wins in 2020. It's building up various departments in the organization, especially in scouting, analytics and internationally. It's a restructuring that reaches every level, with recent dismissals or reassignments in ballpark operations, sales and community relations. It's creating new positions such as director of baseball development, with an industry source confirming yesterday...

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Taking another look at Orioles' roster needs

November 18, 2019, 8:56am

Orioles

As the Orioles move through another month of their offseason and draw closer to the start of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 9, they haven't ventured far from predictability. This team needs at least one starting pitcher and reliever to improve their depth and allow their prospects to develop at the proper pace without being rushed. They're willing to talk trades and one-year deals and delve into the minor league free agent market. Nothing splashy. Nothing that deviates from the previous...

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Brian Roberts included on Hall of Fame ballot

November 18, 2019, 7:52am

Orioles

Brian Roberts included on Hall of Fame ballot

The latest Hall of Fame ballot includes four players with ties to the Orioles and one who made a significant impact, though he isn't likely to be a future inductee. Second baseman Brian Roberts appears on the ballot for the first time. He's joined by pitcher Curt Schilling and outfielder Sammy Sosa. Pitcher Heath Bell, also in the group, signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in May 2014 and was released after 10 relief appearances at Triple-A Norfolk. Roberts, now an analyst on MASN and...

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Wondering more about the coaching staff and 40-man roster

November 16, 2019, 4:32am

Orioles

Wondering more about the coaching staff and 40-man roster

The Orioles aren't going to confirm or offer up names of their coaching candidates or which players are headed to the 40-man roster this week prior to the Rule 5 draft. Sometimes it comes down to reading a little or a lot into non-denials, but this isn't a foolproof plan. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias didn't bite last week when I dangled Anthony Sanders' name in front of him. FOX Sports reported that the Orioles interviewed Sanders for the job of first base coach,...

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Wilkerson on odd 2019 season and what lies ahead

November 15, 2019, 10:51am

Orioles

Wilkerson on odd 2019 season and what lies ahead

Want to stump Stevie Wilkerson? It sounds like a bad game show, but nonetheless, here's how you do it: Challenge him to name a bigger oddity in his season with the Orioles - pitching in four games and earning a save or making more starts in center field, a position he hadn't played, than anyone else on the team. "I think the Vegas odds on either one of those at the beginning of the year would have been astronomically high," he said last week on the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7. "I guess...

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Harvey hoping for fewer restrictions and more games in 2020

November 15, 2019, 10:37am

Orioles

Harvey hoping for fewer restrictions and more games in 2020

Hunter Harvey came to the Orioles in August with a set of instructions. He didn't write them. They were attached as if pinned to his sleeve. Handle with care. Proceed with caution. Do not use on back-to-back days or nights. "This end up" seemed unnecessary, but they were detailed instructions. The Orioles don't abuse their relievers. Managing a bullpen is a skill, one of Buck Showalter's finest qualities, and Brandon Hyde also has made it a professional priority. But Harvey's case is...

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Elias provides a summary of the GM Meetings and more

November 15, 2019, 10:26am

Orioles

Elias provides a summary of the GM Meetings and more

Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias returned from the General Managers Meetings yesterday without any new players. However, he had numerous face-to-face discussions with executives regarding trade possibilities and also sat down with a few agents. There's also the hours spent in league meetings that won't necessarily impact the roster. Here's a sampling of my conversation with Elias from this afternoon: How he spent his days in Arizona: "We had a good trip there and...

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Leftovers for breakfast (updated)

November 14, 2019, 3:44pm

Orioles

Hunter Harvey doesn't know whether he's going to be a reliever or a starter with the Orioles after he reports to spring training in February. He still hasn't been told anything at this point. Harvey prefers the bullpen and is anticipating the same role as the one he held in seven major league appearances after the Orioles called him up. He's just waiting for confirmation. "Nothing's set in stone that I'll stay in the bullpen, but I kind of hope that I do," Harvey said last night while...

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Orioles adjust times for home games in 2020 (spring update)

November 14, 2019, 9:02am

Orioles

The changes filtering through the Orioles organization now include start times for certain home games. The club announced today that games at Camden Yards for the upcoming season will begin at 6:35 p.m. for all weeknights prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day. The earlier start time "allows families with children to enjoy more games on school nights," per a release issued by the team. "The Orioles are committed to providing the most family-friendly experience in Major League Baseball,"...

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Elias holding same shopping list as GM meetings conclude

November 13, 2019, 7:36am

Orioles

Elias holding same shopping list as GM meetings conclude

Mike Elias will board a flight this afternoon for the return trip from Scottsdale, Ariz., and the 2019 General Managers Meetings. Which also included anyone with "executive vice president" in their title. No trades have been consummated and aren't expected to happen at this point. I got the sense that there wouldn't be much activity from the Orioles beyond the sit-downs with executives and agents that could lead to moves made at next month's Winter Meetings in San Diego. The odds on Elias...

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More on Villar's stolen bases and the leadoff spot in the order

November 12, 2019, 5:00am

Orioles

More on Villar's stolen bases and the leadoff spot in the order

I wrote last week about infielder Jonathan Villar's 40 steals and how he ignited a running game that might not be sustainable without him. Besides ranking third in the majors, the stolen base total also tied for seventh in club history. Luis Aparicio holds the record with 57 set in 1964. Brady Anderson is second on the list with 53 in 1992 and Brian Roberts is third with 50 in 2007. Corey Patterson is fourth with 45 in 2006 and Al Bumbry occupies the next two spots with 44 in 1980 and 42 in...

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Making a few assumptions with Orioles

November 11, 2019, 5:36am

Orioles

The amount of speculation that piles up during an offseason reaches such heights that no device can be invented to measure it. The only response is to learn how to distinguish it from fact. What is truth as opposed to an assumption. What comes from actual sources as opposed to imaginations. What's read between the lines instead of the actual lines. No one with the Orioles is offering confirmation, but it isn't too risky on this date to expect the following: Austin Hays will play center field...

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Harvey's on solid bullpen ground in 2020

November 10, 2019, 7:30pm

Orioles

Harvey's on solid bullpen ground in 2020

The degree to which Hunter Harvey has advanced his professional career can be measured through bullpen projections for 2020. Through the notion that Harvey might be the only sure thing for the Orioles. There are assumptions to be made, of course. Mychal Givens is slotted into the bullpen with the caveat that he could be traded, if the market cooperates, while MLBTradeRumors.com projects his salary to climb to $3.2 million. Richard Bleier is mentioned as a non-tender candidate, but I've been...

A quizzical look at Orioles

November 09, 2019, 5:39pm

Orioles

The most important reminders about pop quizzes are that they're distributed without warning and have nothing to do with your fathers. Also, they can be handed out on a Sunday. Go figure. I've provided 20 questions. Check back in October and see how many you got right. The opening day starter will be: Alex Cobb John Means Dylan Bundy None of the above The first prospect to be called up to the majors will be: Keegan Akin Dean Kremer Ryan Mountcastle None of the above Trey Mancini will make most...

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Elias on Rule 5 considerations, Cobb and more

November 08, 2019, 9:53am

Orioles

Elias on Rule 5 considerations, Cobb and more

As the Orioles decide which players to put on the 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 draft, they also must consider the increased risks of losing the ones who are left unprotected. Rosters are expanding to 26 players next season, leaving more room to stash someone at the back of a bullpen or the end of a bench. And more teams are slipping into rebuild mode, placing less emphasis on wins and building the courage to carry a prospect throughout the summer. Whether or not he's overmatched. Without...