Roch Kubatko

Mullins on FanFest, his debut and staying humble

January 19, 2019, 5:56am

Orioles

Mullins on FanFest, his debut and staying humble

Should we read anything into a FanFest autograph lineup that places Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins between first baseman Chris Davis and infielder Jonathan Villar at Station 1? Does this lend further credence to the notion that Mullins will sit atop another lineup, the one introduced on opening day? This could be a reach considering that Davis also is joined at Station 2 by minor league infielder Ryan Mountcastle and pitcher Yefry RamÃrez. Mountcastle won't make the club out of...

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Checking on the coaches

January 18, 2019, 6:20pm

Orioles

Have the Orioles completed their coaching staff for the 2019 season? They seem to be done as long as the latest names to surface are accurate and there isn't a sudden change of plans. I'm hearing that Howie Clark is likely to return after serving as assistant hitting coach for the past two seasons. He was offered a minor league contract after his deal expired on Oct. 31, but he's in line to be included on manager Brandon Hyde's staff. Clark served as Single-A Delmarva's hitting coach in...

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More on Davis and the catchers

January 17, 2019, 12:54pm

Orioles

The Orioles aren't ready to announce their new coaching staff under manager Brandon Hyde, the assistant hitting coach believed to be the final piece. It's expected to happen soon, well in advance of the beginning of spring training. First baseman Chris Davis knows that Don Long is replacing Scott Coolbaugh as hitting coach. He hadn't heard any updates on the assistant hitting coach when we spoke a few days ago and didn't know whether Howie Clark, who held the job last summer, was assured of...

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Davis changes up winter workouts

January 16, 2019, 6:02pm

Orioles

A prearranged 3 p.m. phone interview didn't materialize yesterday until much later, the former home run champion losing track of time during his latest hitting session in Texas. "I didn't even realize how late it was," said Chris Davis. "At least I have a legit excuse." A really good one considering the scrutiny that he's subjected to regarding his offseason work. Davis has changed up his routine, including how he's training, while trying to regain his power stroke and belatedly give...

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Orioles release information on FanFest autograph stations

January 16, 2019, 1:24pm

Orioles

The Orioles are mixing their glorious past with what they're hoping is going to become a promising future while announcing the autograph stations for their annual FanFest on Jan. 26 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson, Eddie Murray and Jim Palmer will sign for fans, the latter appearing at two of the three stations. Robinson and Murray were hired as special advisors last summer. Former Orioles Rick Dempsey, Boog Powell and Mike Bordick also will...

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Cashner on his health, Hyde and more

January 15, 2019, 6:50pm

Orioles

The top three starters in the Orioles rotation will report to spring training without the physical ailments that interrupted or ended their 2018 seasons. Dylan Bundy's sprained left ankle has healed. Alex Cobb isn't bothered by the blisters that surfaced on his right index and middle fingers. Andrew Cashner no longer has bursitis in his left knee. A cortisone injection administered in September didn't provide the necessary relief for Cashner and he was done after his start on Sept. 12. He...

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Brocail hired as Orioles pitching coach

January 15, 2019, 11:42am

Orioles

The Orioles could be on the verge of announcing their coaching staff for the 2019 season as the last few vacancies are filled. Doug Brocail has been hired as pitching coach, according to an industry source. He's going to replace Roger McDowell, whose contract expired on Oct. 31. Brocail, 51, spent the past three seasons as the Rangers pitching coach before his dismissal in November. He owns previous ties to executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, working as the Astros pitching...

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Tossing out free agent suggestions for the Orioles

January 14, 2019, 11:00am

Orioles

The challenges for the Orioles in filling the holes in their roster include payroll limitations and enticing free agents without the promise of a winning season and playoff run. Using a championship ring as a selling point would ring hollow. We've gone over the list of needs, which more easily can be addressed via trades. Players don't have a choice, of course. Infielder Jonathan Villar was pulled from a pennant race at the non-waiver deadline and joined a team with the worst record in...

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Leftovers on Trumbo and upcoming meetings

January 13, 2019, 9:32am

Orioles

Leftovers on Trumbo and upcoming meetings

One of the more popular offseason topics related to the Orioles is the implementation of analytics on a team that didn't exactly embrace them in the past. They weren't ignored, but getting everyone on the same page regarding their importance and how to use them was an impossible task. The levels of commitment to them resembled a staircase. Mark Trumbo is the latest Oriole to offer his approval of the plan being put in place by executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and...

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Reviewing the coaches, arbitration figures and Trumbo's recovery

January 12, 2019, 11:18am

Orioles

Reviewing the coaches, arbitration figures and Trumbo's recovery

An exact date for the Orioles to announce their coaching staff doesn't exist. The closest you'll get is "fairly soon," or "shouldn't be too much longer." The process is playing out. Like everything else in a rebuild, patience is a requirement. No one from the 2018 staff is expected to stay in the organization. Third base coach Bobby Dickerson appeared to have a shot at one point, but it faded and he accepted a job as the Phillies' infield coach, the deal finalized late Thursday...

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Orioles claim Hanser Alberto off waivers (arbitration update)

January 11, 2019, 12:37pm

Orioles

The need for more infield depth led the Orioles earlier today to make another waiver claim. The Orioles have brought Hanser Alberto into the organization, with catcher Andrew Susac designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Alberto, 26, can play all four infield positions and is a career .309/.330/.438 hitter in 1,000 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. He slashed .330/.346/.452 last summer in 101 games at Round Rock in the Rangers' system, and .322/.366/.392 in 43...

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Wright on workouts, what went wrong and "fresh eyes" on him

January 11, 2019, 11:15am

Orioles

Wright on workouts, what went wrong and "fresh eyes" on him

The Orioles started their minicamp this weekend in Sarasota, an adjusted version of it that won't be flooded with players and serves in large part to allow new hires to become more familiar with the complex. A handful of players already have been working out there, including pitcher Mike Wright Jr., catcher Chance Sisco and outfielder Austin Hays. Reliever Richard Bleier is joining them as he continues his throwing program following lat surgery in June. "A couple other guys come in and pop...

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Orioles agree to terms with Villar, Bundy and Givens

January 11, 2019, 11:02am

Orioles

None of the Orioles who are eligible for arbitration will be going to a hearing. The deals are done. The club has reached agreements with infielder Jonathan Villar, starter Dylan Bundy and reliever Mychal Givens on contracts for the 2019 season. An announcement will come later today. Terms aren't immediately available. The Orioles acquired Villar, pitcher Luis Ortiz and infielder Jean Carmona from the Brewers on July 31 for second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who was non-tendered and signed a...

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Sifting through roster moves and today's arbitration deadline

January 10, 2019, 3:39pm

Orioles

Sifting through roster moves and today's arbitration deadline

The activity that's been aimed at the Orioles' 25- and 40-man rosters in the offseason hasn't produced national headlines. There were three acquisitions in the Rule 5 draft and depth moves for the pitching staff, infield and catching position. Some of them haven't been announced and there could be others still under wraps. The decision to use the first pick in the Rule 5 draft on infielder Richie Martin has the potential to be one of the most impactful, considering that he's a candidate to...

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"Piano Man" Billy Joel to play first concert at Camden Yards

January 10, 2019, 8:33am

Orioles

"Piano Man" Billy Joel to play first concert at Camden Yards

The Orioles didn't start the concert craze at major league ballparks, but they're jumping into the fire. If this sentence even remotely resembles the lyrics from a Billy Joel song, my work here is almost done. The club announced today the launching of O's Entertainment and in its partnership with Live Nation will host Joel this summer in the first concert at Camden Yards, which opened in 1992. The event will take place on July 26 while the Orioles are in Anaheim in the middle of their...

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The curious case of Cobb

January 09, 2019, 9:08am

Orioles

A deeper dive into the Orioles roster brings up more questions regarding starter Alex Cobb and how he, like other veterans, fits into the rebuild. Whether it can hold the $43 million remaining on a contract that covers the next three seasons before he's again eligible for free agency. Manager Brandon Hyde says he doesn't believe in the word "rebuild." He believes in "competing," and that's the message being sent to his players. A message that will spread throughout the clubhouse and the...

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Constructing Orioles roster a gradual process

January 08, 2019, 2:09pm

Orioles

While the baseball world balances on the edge of its seats waiting for Manny Machado and Bryce Harper to sign their monstrous contracts, which will reduce the media's baseball chatter by about 75 percent, the Orioles are quietly researching ways to fill out their roster. Much of the heavy lifting outside of it is done. Two big front office hires have been completed in executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and assistant Sig Mejdal, the latter responsible for building up the...

January 07, 2019, 11:29am

Orioles

O's reach agreement with catcher Carlos PÃ©rez on minors deal

The Orioles have made a move to improve their catching depth in the organization. Carlos PÃ©rez, 28, has agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training pending the completion of a physical. He can earn a guaranteed $650,000 if he makes the Orioles roster. PÃ©rez is a native of Venezuela who appeared in eight games with the Braves and 20 with the Rangers last season and was 10-for-70 with two doubles and a home run. He hasn't done much offensively in the majors,...

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Trumbo on his role and future

January 07, 2019, 8:08am

Orioles

Fans who are on board with the Orioles' plans to undergo a rebuild have asked how Mark Trumbo fits into it. Trumbo runs the same question through his head. He turns 33 later this month, is recovering from knee surgery and is approaching the final year of a contract that pays him $11 million this summer with deferred payments of $1.5 million from 2020-22. There's the potential for run production in the middle of the lineup. There's a leadership role that's been vacated by trades and free...

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Orioles trade Breyvic Valera to Giants

January 05, 2019, 2:51pm

Orioles

The Orioles needed only one day to resolve their situation with infielder Breyvic Valera. Valera has been traded to the Giants for cash considerations, with both teams making the announcement. He was designated for assignment yesterday after the Orioles claimed pitcher Austin Brice off waivers from the Angels. A spot had to be opened for Brice on the 40-man roster and Valera was the casualty. The Orioles could have attempted to pass him through waivers, but they worked out a trade. Former...