Roch Kubatko

Reviewing today's introduction of Mike Elias at Camden Yards

November 19, 2018, 8:37am

Orioles

Reviewing today's introduction of Mike Elias at Camden Yards

Mike Elias' introduction this morning as Orioles executive vice president and general manager lasted 40 minutes and covered a wide range of topics. He also conducted individual interviews with television and radio outlets and met with the beat crew. John and Louis Angelos flanked Elias in an informal conversational setting inside the home clubhouse at Camden Yards, an event that was catered with food and drinks available in the back. There really are a lot of changes happening in the...

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Positive reviews on Elias accompany today's intro at Camden Yards

November 18, 2018, 2:36pm

Orioles

Positive reviews on Elias accompany today's intro at Camden Yards

It's a little premature to begin printing out T-shirts honoring and promoting Mike Elias, the Orioles executive vice president and general manager. He hasn't made a single move. He hasn't been introduced to the media, though the wait finally ends today at 11 a.m. However, there are two early nominations for slogans based on what I've heard whenever his name comes up in conversation. "You guys got a good one." "You're going to love this guy." Bobbleheads and gnomes have been created...

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Questions awaiting Elias at Monday's introduction

November 17, 2018, 3:20am

Orioles

Questions awaiting Elias at Monday's introduction

With the news on Friday that Mike Elias had been hired by the Orioles as executive vice president and general manager, anticipation spun into reality, the next set of questions can be tackled at Monday morning's introduction inside the auxiliary clubhouse at Camden Yards. Among the points that Elias can address: * Is it true that former Astros sabermetrics analyst Sig Mejdal will join the organization as Elias' top assistant? * What are the statuses of vice president of baseball operations...

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Looking at a few of the decisions awaiting Elias

November 16, 2018, 9:24am

Orioles

Looking at a few of the decisions awaiting Elias

The hiring of Mike Elias as executive vice president and general manager doesn't remove all of the uncertainty attached to the franchise. It barely makes a dent. Elias was the biggest piece, of course, as the person who will run the baseball operations department. Who will assemble the rest of the front office, choose a manager and drag the scouting department into the 21st century. But having so many slots to fill is an example of the work that lies ahead. The 40-man roster must be set by...

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Elias hired as executive vice president and general manager

November 16, 2018, 8:59am

Orioles

Elias hired as executive vice president and general manager

The wait is over. To fill the top vacancy in the Orioles' front office and to reveal his identity and title. The Orioles have hired former Astros assistant general manager Mike Elias as their executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager, with the announcement made this afternoon. He will be introduced to the media at a Monday morning press conference at Camden Yards that will include John and Louis Angelos and air live on MASN and 105.7 the Fan beginning at 11 a.m. Elias...

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Bleier on changes, low expectations and missing ex-teammates

November 15, 2018, 12:19pm

Orioles

Bleier on changes, low expectations and missing ex-teammates

Players who remain in recovery mode from a 115-loss season that left marks on them continue to process the changes that have been made and brace for the ones that are coming. The Orioles chose Mike Elias, who turns 36 next month and hasn't worked above the assistant level, to replace executive vice president Dan Duquette. He's allowed to hand-pick the next manager, who won't bring the same experience and honors as predecessor Buck Showalter. None of the coaches are under contract and an...

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Dauer on Elias' ability to build a program "from the bottom up"

November 14, 2018, 12:42pm

Orioles

Dauer on Elias' ability to build a program "from the bottom up"

Former Orioles second baseman Rich Dauer offered a strong endorsement yesterday of Mike Elias, who's been chosen to head the baseball operations department. Three seasons in Houston as first base coach and infield instructor gave him a nice perspective while Elias rose to assistant general manager and became a hotter commodity. Reached on the phone before attending last night's reunion of the 1983 World Series team, Dauer said the Orioles are "getting a good one." They just haven't made it...

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More on Mike Elias' expected hiring by Orioles (updated)

November 14, 2018, 3:38am

Orioles

The title handed to the head of the Orioles' baseball operations department likely will be tailored to fit Mike Elias. No one associated with the Orioles has confirmed a late-night tweet from USA Today's Bob Nightengale that the club will hire Elias and finally conclude its extensive and methodical search for a replacement for executive vice president Dan Duquette, whose contract wasn't renewed following a 115-loss season. Nightengale wrote that Elias will become the new GM "barring a...

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Bleier: "I should be fully ready to go for games" (plus Elias note)

November 13, 2018, 3:32pm

Orioles

Bleier: "I should be fully ready to go for games" (plus Elias note)

On the same afternoon that the Orioles activated Richard Bleier from the 60-day disabled list, the reliever was picking up a baseball at Cressey Sports Performance in Jupiter, Fla., and making his first throw since undergoing surgery to repair a Grade 3 tear in his left latissimus dorsi muscle. Bleier posted the video about a week later on his Instagram account, announcing to all of his followers and anyone else with access to it that his rehab was moving along at the proper pace and with the...

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This, that and the other

November 12, 2018, 11:44am

Orioles

Not long ago, I wrote how openings in the Orioles' front office and scouting department were viewed as having tremendous appeal by a significant number of people in the industry. The delays in making hires weren't based on a lack of interest. To follow up on it, I talked to someone over the weekend who used the term "a goldmine" to describe the situation. Not "a landmine," which illustrates how the perception of the job has changed over the years. One reason for the positive outlook is...

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A quizzical look at the Orioles

November 11, 2018, 12:49pm

Orioles

I'm keeping it simple today while thinking that we could have some news later this week. Just don't hold me to it. I also predicted that Christmas would come early and now I'm wondering if my source was mistaken. Go ahead and take the latest quiz while you wait. There's no pressure because I don't grade them. This is more of an exercise without the spandex and sweat. Chris Davis is going to hit: A). More than 20 home runs B). Fewer than 20 home runs C). The lottery again If a starter...

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Checking on Orioles minor leaguers who became free agents

November 09, 2018, 12:19pm

Orioles

The current offseason for the Orioles may not seem typical with hires pending in the front office, no manager in place and promises to revamp the entire scouting operation. This isn't business as usual across the board. However, there are certain tasks that await the club and aren't influenced by other circumstances. Building up minor league depth is one of the priorities. Trying to find hidden and inexpensive gems. The Orioles also might try to keep a few of their own. The list of Orioles...

How are the Orioles going to address roster needs?

November 09, 2018, 9:44am

Orioles

The following nugget won't cause your head to snap back in disbelief or bring tremors or have you rushing off to tell your friends. It's been an assumption that's backed up by multiple people in the industry as the GM meetings closed this week. The Orioles won't be major players in free agency. Slow your heartbeats. There's been no indication that the Orioles will be "heavily involved" in free agency, as one person worded it. They met with agents at the GM meetings. They won't avoid it...

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Qualls staying with Orioles

November 08, 2018, 2:40pm

Orioles

While there have been significant changes for the Orioles in baseball operations, player development and scouting, the turnover won't touch Kent Qualls. The Orioles intend to bring back Qualls as director of minor league operations. The same title that he's held since coming to the organization prior to the 2013 season. Qualls' past duties have included overseeing the administration of the club's player development department and minor league affiliates. His responsibilities broadened under...

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Graham wraps up general managers meetings

November 08, 2018, 11:52am

Orioles

Graham wraps up general managers meetings

The process of hiring a head of baseball operations, whatever the title, didn't interfere with business conducted this week at the general managers meetings. Orioles director of player development Brian Graham, leading the department on an interim basis, flew home this afternoon from Carlsbad, Calif., after the meetings reached their conclusion. Director of baseball operations Tripp Norton also represented the organization. The uncertainty over which individual will be calling the shots...

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More on front office interviews and another scouting departure

November 07, 2018, 4:49pm

Orioles

More on front office interviews and another scouting departure

There's a growing perception that the Orioles are drawing closer to hiring a top executive for their front office. It probably won't happen by the end of the week, but the process is moving along. The drama isn't confined to the identity of the hire. The title also is to be determined, which is a major contributor to the confusion. The Orioles were focused on bringing in a president of baseball operations, and that still could happen, but it's dependent on the individual. The title will fit...

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Providing president reminders in Orioles' front office interviews

November 06, 2018, 12:26pm

Orioles

If you've shifted to the edge of your seat waiting for the Orioles to announce a hiring, sit back and try to relax for at least a few more days. Nothing is imminent. Nothing is likely to happen this week as the GM meetings run their course. The interview process hasn't reached its conclusion, which allows more time for fans to become confused over the reports that keep surfacing. All I can do in the meantime is try to provide at least a modicum of clarity while operating largely in the...

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Scouts Jim Howard and Dave Engle seem safe with Orioles

November 05, 2018, 12:24pm

Orioles

The massive shakeup in the Orioles' scouting department hasn't bounced Jim Howard and Dave Engle from the organization. Howard and Engle, serving as major league scouts, are expected to remain with the Orioles. Meanwhile, personnel in the department who no longer will be employed by the club next season include director of professional scouting and special projects Patrick Di Gregory, special assistant Matt Haas, major league scout John Stockstill, professional scout Ron Schueler, East Coast...

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Taking a morning quiz

November 04, 2018, 3:27am

Orioles

Rather than dump out the entire mailbag today and try to come up with a fresh sequel title, I'm going to pull out a couple of the heavy repeats and attempt to eliminate whatever confusion lingers in the air like the odor from a hardboiled egg. Let's go with a true or false format. As opposed to truth or dare, which could get weird around here. The Orioles definitely won't be signing any free agents. False. The Orioles don't have a definite starter for right field, third base or behind the...

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Could Trumbo become trade chip later?

November 03, 2018, 7:39am

Orioles

The number of Orioles free agents is miniscule, with only Adam Jones and Colby Rasmus representing - and the latter feels like a mere technicality after the club placed him on the restricted list and he headed home to be with his family. Mark Trumbo will be eligible after next year's World Series, with the team he's leaving to be determined. Though he's currently with the Orioles, recovering from surgery on his right knee, he's a potential trade chip at the non-waiver deadline if healthy...