Roch Kubatko

Early notes and quotes from Elias and Hyde

January 26, 2019, 6:49am

Orioles

Early notes and quotes from Elias and Hyde

Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde spent about 30 minutes this morning fielding questions on the main stage from season plan holders to kick off the latest FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center. Elias repeated that his primary goal in 2019 is to increase the level of talent up and down the organization. The overall record seems like a secondary concern, though improvement would be a welcomed development. And he said the club is...

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Prepping for today's FanFest

January 25, 2019, 11:16am

Orioles

The annual FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center is being held today, giving fans an opportunity to grill executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, manager Brandon Hyde and his coaching staff, assistant general manager Sig Mejdal and senior director of international scouting Koby Perez in various forums for Birdland Membership holders and the general public. They won't offer timelines for contention or to have their departments fully staffed. But Elias will be asked...

Eighteen non-roster players invited to Orioles spring training

January 25, 2019, 9:55am

Orioles

The Orioles are inviting 18 non-roster players to spring training, with the possibility of further additions depending on other moves that could be made before pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12. The group of invites includes eight pitchers - right-handers Dean Kremer, Gregory Infante, Gabriel Ynoa, Zach Pop, Josh Lucas and Bo Schultz, and left-handers Chris Lee and Sean Gilmartin. Also receiving lockers at the Ed Smith Stadium complex are catchers Martin Cervenka, Carlos PÃ©rez and...

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Latest on Mills and major league coaches

January 24, 2019, 3:57pm

Orioles

Latest on Mills and major league coaches

The shuffling in the Orioles' minor league system is expected to reach down to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. While the club hasn't made an announcement regarding its affiliates, I've heard that Alan Mills will serve as manager for the GCL team. And this is a new level and role for the former reliever. Mills is replacing Carlos Tosca, who spent the past two summers as manager. Tosca is expected to work as an outfield and baserunning instructor, though again, nothing has been made...

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Orioles announce coaching staff for 2019 season

January 23, 2019, 11:36am

Orioles

The Orioles have unveiled their coaching staff for the 2019 season under new manager Brandon Hyde and it includes one holdover from last summer. Howie Clark returns as assistant hitting coach after the Orioles offered him a minor league contract following the expiration of his previous deal on Oct. 31. He'll work with new hitting coach Don Long, who spent the past five seasons with the Reds and replaces Scott Coolbaugh. Tim Cossins has been named major league field coordinator and catching...

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Wondering how Mullins and Villar stack up in lineup

January 23, 2019, 10:17am

Orioles

Wondering how Mullins and Villar stack up in lineup

The closer we get to the start of spring training, with the first Orioles workout set for Feb. 13, the fewer chances exist for manager Brandon Hyde to escape the inevitable lineup questions. Hyde has been studying and learning about the personnel in the organization, taking private courses in December during his flights to and from Maui and extending them through the following month. He's watching video, sifting through reports and placing phone calls. Anything to get up to speed after his...

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This, that and the other

January 22, 2019, 3:16pm

Orioles

As the Orioles continue making their final preparations for this weekend's FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center, they're also nearing the announcements on their major league and minor league coaching staffs and their non-roster invitees to spring training. One domino falls and others will tumble. The list of invitees could include infielders Ryan Mountcastle, Jace Peterson, Engelb Vielma, Sean Miller and Zach Vincej, outfielders Ryan McKenna, Yusniel DÃaz and Christopher...

Time to find out whether Mussina is headed to Hall of Fame

January 21, 2019, 1:45pm

Orioles

Time to find out whether Mussina is headed to Hall of Fame

We'll find out later today whether former Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina is going into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown or stuck again outside of its doors while the debate continues to rage over his worthiness. I keep voting for Mussina as a nod to his amazing consistency during the "steroid era," as it's become to be known, and while pitching in the grueling American League East. The 270 career wins, 3.68 ERA and 1.192 WHIP. The 82.9 WAR accumulated over 18 seasons, the first 10 with the...

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Losing a father and a hero

January 20, 2019, 6:38pm

Orioles

I thought that I had more time. More time to be with my dad even after the August diagnosis of esophagus cancer and the later news that it was Stage 4. Even after the stroke he suffered last Monday that put him in a hospital in Salisbury. Even after his oncologist decided last week to stop the treatments, my dad's body no longer able to handle the poison, and aim for quality of life at home. More time to say the things that, while he probably already knew, needed to be said again. My parents...

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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...