Roch Kubatko

Showalter, Duquette and the end of another era

October 03, 2018, 6:26pm

Orioles

Showalter, Duquette and the end of another era

There were four scenarios that could play out regarding executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter. Yesterday's outcome was one of them, but also a bit of a stunner. Under no circumstances was Showalter staying and Duquette leaving because I heard the Orioles didn't want a manager in place without a general manager, or whatever title that person would hold. It became increasingly apparent that Showalter wouldn't return, which eliminated the idea of the Orioles standing...

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Orioles announce departures of Duquette, Showalter (updated)

October 03, 2018, 4:41pm

Orioles

The Orioles announced tonight that they won't retain executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter beyond contracts that run out at the end of the month. They also laid out the plan moving forward. The club will hire an executive from outside of the organization to lead the baseball operations department, an important distinction following today's moves. The Orioles stated in a release that this individual will have the final determination on all baseball matters "that he...

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Duquette won't return as Orioles executive vice president

October 03, 2018, 2:54pm

Orioles

The Orioles will become busier as they move through the offseason with today's news that they also won't bring back executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette. The contracts of Duquette and manager Buck Showalter expired at the end of the month and they aren't going to be part of the rebuild moving forward, according to numerous sources. No announcement has been made by the Orioles, but it could happen later tonight. The media has been in a holding pattern. It made sense...

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Showalter won't return as Orioles manager

October 03, 2018, 9:04am

Orioles

The Orioles will move forward with their plans to rebuild while leaving behind the man who has managed them since August 2010. Buck Showalter won't return for the 2019 season, according to multiple sources, with the club allowing his contract to run out at the end of the month. The offseason will include a search for his successor. Showalter won't remain in the organization in any capacity - it's believed that he wasn't offered anything else - and he flew home to Dallas today. He met with...

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Valera hopes he's in consideration for next year

October 02, 2018, 5:03pm

Orioles

Valera hopes he's in consideration for next year

A player trying to impress in the final month of the season and convince his new team that he deserves a roster spot in 2019 needs to do more than hit and field his position. He has to stay healthy. Breyvic Valera provided a reminder to manager Buck Showalter that he owned a career .299 average in the minors. Not that Showalter needed it. One of baseball's most prepared men already perused the stats and recited them to the media after the Manny Machado trade to the Dodgers that brought Valera...

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Lingering thoughts on Davis

October 01, 2018, 7:28pm

Orioles

The Orioles' season ended on Sunday after a full 162 games, the tormenting weather forcing delays, postponements and doubleheaders but unable to leave them short. The curtain on Chris Davis' season closed on Sept. 22 after an 0-for-5 day at Yankee Stadium that included three more strikeouts. The last pitch he saw, from reliever Jonathan Holder in the 10th inning, was lined to first baseman Luke Voit, who made a lunging grab and saved two runs from scoring in a tie game. How appropriate for a...

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Another look at yesterday's finale and the dominant themes

September 30, 2018, 7:33pm

Orioles

Another look at yesterday's finale and the dominant themes

Not to make it about myself on the first day of the Orioles offseason, but I can't remember a final game before yesterday that was less about the outcome and recapping what went right and wrong over the summer. So I did sort of make it about myself. Hang with me. The Orioles defeated the Astros 4-0 for their seventh shutout of the season against the 15 thrust upon them. They finished with a 47-115 record, failing to reach 50 wins in the worst season in franchise history. It was as brutal as it...

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Wrapping up Jones' day and 4-0 win

September 30, 2018, 2:54pm

Orioles

Adam Jones headed back out to right field today in the top of the ninth inning, but he didn't stay there. He didn't see another pitch thrown from that vantage point. Joey Rickard was sent out to replace him and Jones turned to the fans behind him who spent the day holding up "Cap10" signs in his honor and waved his cap to them. He hugged Rickard and first baseman Trey Mancini. He tipped his cap to the Astros as they stood and applauded him, and embraced everyone in his own dugout, one at a...

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On Jones' final game, Showalter's uncertain future (O's win 4-0)

September 30, 2018, 12:07pm

Orioles

On Jones' final game, Showalter's uncertain future (O's win 4-0)

Adam Jones sprinted out of the dugout this afternoon before the playing of the national anthem, the center fielder always leading his teammates. Except when they stay back and leave him alone. The Orioles lined up in front of the railing and applauded Jones, who tipped his cap to the crowd, his first display of emotion on the homestand. The umpires also clapped for Jones at home plate as the ovation from the stands - the first of many today - gained momentum. Jones lasted only one inning in...

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Showalter on decision to put Jones back in center field

September 30, 2018, 10:23am

Orioles

Showalter on decision to put Jones back in center field

Orioles manager Buck Showalter met with Adam Jones to discuss today's lineup and where the outfielder wanted to play. Showalter had his own idea and ran it past Jones, who agreed to start in center. It just seemed right. Cedric Mullins has been the center fielder since making his debut on Aug. 10, but he's moved to left this afternoon in the last game of the season - and likely the last for Jones with the Orioles. "I let him make out the lineup," Showalter quipped. "No, I just thought it...

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Jones in center field for final game of 2018

September 30, 2018, 9:12am

Orioles

Jones in center field for final game of 2018

Adam Jones is playing his 1,613th and likely final game with the Orioles this afternoon to close out the 2018 season and manager Buck Showalter is putting him in center field. Cedric Mullins is in left for the first time and DJ Stewart is in right. Tim Beckham is the designated hitter. Steve Wilkerson gets another start at second base. Jimmy Yacabonis makes his seventh major league start today. He's never faced the Astros. The Astros are starting Charlie Morton, who's 15-3 with a 3.18 ERA and...

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The season reaches its conclusion today

September 29, 2018, 8:45pm

Orioles

The end is here. Of the worst season in franchise history. Of Adam Jones' days as an Oriole unless something unforeseen happens. And perhaps of Buck Showalter's tenure as manager, which began in the summer of 2010. Some players had large boxes in front of their lockers yesterday. Tim Beckham joked that Joey Rickard was blocking his path during the packing process. Rickard countered that he didn't order the box delivered and found it there - after asking if Beckham wanted to help...

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Jones on Showalter: "It's the end of an era"

September 29, 2018, 7:32pm

Orioles

Jones on Showalter: "It's the end of an era"

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has been complimenting Adam Jones at every opportunity this week as the outfield approaches what's expected to be his final game in the organization. Tonight gave Jones the chance to return the favor as Showalter's status remains in question. Jones didn't sound like someone who anticipates Showalter being back next season. "I think for the franchise it's just meant accountability," Jones said following a 5-2 loss in Game 2 that completed the Astros' sweep...

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Orioles swept in doubleheader with 5-2 loss in Game 2

September 29, 2018, 6:32pm

Orioles

The sixth doubleheader of the season for the Orioles resulted in the third sweep against them. Two more losses to toss on the pile. The Orioles have grown accustomed to peering through the defeats to find positive strands. It's one way to maintain their sanity and stay optimistic as the worst season in franchise history sputters to a stop. Rookie Yefry RamÃrez made his 13th major league start and 18th appearance tonight in Game 2 and he offered quality by baseball's long-standing...

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Wrapping up Game 1 loss (O's down 5-2)

September 29, 2018, 4:21pm

Orioles

The Orioles are trying to avoid being swept in today's doubleheader and also are seeking their first win against the Astros this season. The process is complicated, of course, by the opponent rolling out ace after ace. It seems unfair, as if the deck is stacked. Myles Straw hit his first major league home run, a solo shot to center field in the first inning to give the Astros a 1-0 lead, but rookie catcher Austin Wynns tied the game in the second with a single off left-hander Dallas Keuchel...

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Orioles and Astros Game 2 lineups

September 29, 2018, 3:28pm

Orioles

Adam Jones is in right field for Game 2 of today's doubleheader, as the Orioles try to gain a split. Jonathan Villar is the shortstop and Steve Wilkerson is playing second base. Tim Beckham is the designated hitter and John Andreoli is in left field. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Jonathan VIllar SS Adam Jones RF Trey Mancini 1B Tim Beckham DH Renato NÃºÃ±ez 3B John Andreoli LF Austin Wynns C Steve Wilkerson 2B Yefry RamÃrez RHP For the Astros Jose Altuve 2B Myles Straw LF Alex...

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Orioles drop Game 1, 4-3, after rallying to tie

September 29, 2018, 3:05pm

Orioles

Getting a baserunner against Justin Verlander today eased some of the pressure on the Orioles. An Adam Jones double with two outs in the fourth inning, an infield hit for Renato NÃºÃ±ez with one out in the fifth. A little something to break the strikeout monotony. Dylan Bundy was working on a three-hit shutout through the fifth and happened to be the second-best pitcher in the game. His six strikeouts were four fewer than Verlander's total. And nobody likes a showoff. Tony Kemp led off the...

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Adam Jones on charity work and baseball decisions (tied 3-3)

September 29, 2018, 1:19pm

Orioles

Adam Jones on charity work and baseball decisions (tied 3-3)

Adam Jones has two standing ovations today and the Orioles didn't have a baserunner until he doubled off Astros starter Justin Verlander with two outs in the fourth inning. Verlander retired the first 11 batters with seven strikeouts before Jones lined a ball into left-center field. Dylan Bundy has blanked the Astros on three hits in five innings. The game remains scoreless. The Orioles didn't take batting practice today, but Jones found himself in the dugout talking to the media about his...

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Castro won't pitch this weekend as Orioles conclude season

September 29, 2018, 11:03am

Orioles

Orioles reliever Miguel Castro confirmed today that he won't get back on a mound during the final series and his season has drawn to a close. Castro wanted to make the attempt despite some swelling in his right knee, but was advised to shut it down. "Thankfully, the knee feels better," he said through interpreter RamÃ³n AlarcÃ³n. "At the same time I don't think there's going to be any chance for me to pitch again this weekend. I tried, but the recommendation for me was to take it slow...

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Orioles lineup vs. Astros

September 29, 2018, 9:32am

Orioles

Adam Jones is the Orioles' designated hitter today for Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Astros. DJ Stewart is in right field and Joey Rickard is in left. Jonathan Villar has moved back to second base while Tim Beckham handles shortstop. Caleb Joseph is catching. Justin Verlander faced the Orioles on April 3 in Houston and allowed three earned runs (four total) with nine strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. He's 10-5 with a 3.75 ERA and 1.176 WHIP in 20 career starts against them. Beckham is...