Roch Kubatko

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...

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

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...

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Updating Trumbo and Bleier's recoveries from surgery

January 05, 2019, 11:44am

Orioles

Updating Trumbo and Bleier's recoveries from surgery

There wasn't much Orioles news to come out of the Winter Meetings beyond the decision to hire Brandon Hyde as manager, whatever the zealous level of the reports. Roster rumblings pretty much were limited to the Rule 5 draft and a waiver claim of third baseman Rio Ruiz. But two injury updates were noteworthy. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said he expected reliever Richard Bleier and outfielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo to be ready for opening day based on the...

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Elias influence already heavy in Orioles organization

January 05, 2019, 9:59am

Orioles

The appeal of bringing in Mike Elias as the head of baseball operations for the Orioles centered on his deep background in scouting and player development. His experience working the international market. His familiarity with analytics and an unwavering belief that they must be incorporated in today's game in order to be competitive. The man has been entrusted with a variety of responsibilities over the years in the Cardinals and Astros organizations, and his fingerprints will cover the...

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Orioles claim Austin Brice off waivers and DFA Breyvic Valera

January 04, 2019, 12:48pm

Orioles

The Orioles have added a right-handed reliever to their 40-man roster while subtracting a player who was set up to compete for a utility job in spring training. Austin Brice has been claimed off waivers from the Angels, with infielder Breyvic Valera designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Brice, 26, is 2-4 with a 5.68 ERA and 1.262 WHIP in 70 relief appearances over the past three seasons. He registered a 5.79 ERA and 1.393 WHIP in 33 games with the Reds over the summer before the...

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More on Perez, Maduro and expanded interest internationally

January 04, 2019, 9:49am

Orioles

More on Perez, Maduro and expanded interest internationally

The process of hiring Koby Perez as the Orioles' senior director of international scouting began immediately after the Winter Meetings and appeared to wrap up as the warehouse shut down for the holidays. Scout Calvin Maduro was given the news a few weeks ago, with the announcement coming on Wednesday. Perez, calling into the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan, said executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias contacted the Indians upon returning from Las Vegas seeking permission to...

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Maduro on Perez: "I think it's an outstanding hire"

January 03, 2019, 5:19pm

Orioles

Maduro on Perez: "I think it's an outstanding hire"

The hiring of Koby Perez as the Orioles' senior director of international scouting enabled executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias to reach further into his professional past, all the way to his Cardinals days in their scouting department. Elias also has brought in assistant Sig Mejdal, who worked with him in St. Louis and Houston, and minor league pitching coordinator Chris Holt, formerly the Astros' assistant pitching coordinator. If anyone needs additional information on...

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Elias and Perez address the media

January 03, 2019, 8:33am

Orioles

The Orioles continue to hold the most international signing bonus slot money in baseball before the reset later this summer. However, they are conceding that the top-tier talent no longer is on the board and funds are more likely to be redirected. This is just one of the points made today during a conference call with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and new senior director of international scouting Koby Perez. Perez was hired yesterday after spending the past five years...

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Wynns' offseason includes instruction from Dempsey

January 02, 2019, 10:02am

Orioles

Wynns' offseason includes instruction from Dempsey

A casual clubhouse conversation over the summer between a past and current Orioles catcher led to an offseason lunch, a lengthy workout and a relationship that could pay dividends on the field. Rick Dempsey, the former World Series Most Valuable Player and current MASN analyst who played in the majors for 24 seasons and owns two championship rings. Austin Wynns, a rookie at 27 trying to stick around as a backup with perhaps an opportunity to do more in the future. Too bad it wasn't caught on...

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Orioles hire Koby Perez to head international scouting department

January 02, 2019, 7:43am

Orioles

The restructuring of the Orioles' front office and scouting department has led today to one of the more important hires of the offseason. The club announced that Koby Perez, 40, has been named senior director, international scouting and will report directly to executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. Perez will oversee all aspects of the international scouting operations and management of the team's bonus pool. He spent the last five seasons in the Indians organization,...

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Wondering how the roster would look with its current options

January 01, 2019, 8:48am

Orioles

Wondering how the roster would look with its current options

The season isn't starting today. The Orioles aren't in the Bronx and Manny Machado still isn't wearing pinstripes. The roster hasn't really started to take shape unless you count a couple of Rule 5 picks who will compete for shortstop and utility jobs and a left-handed hitting third baseman to compete against a right-handed hitting third baseman. Keep a brown paper bag handy to prevent hyperventilating. The clock hasn't become the enemy, with executive vice president and general manager...

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A few ideas for the Orioles as they head into 2019

December 31, 2018, 8:37am

Orioles

A new year carries with it the same tasks placed in front of executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, assistant Sig Mejdal and manager Brandon Hyde. No one has been hired to replace director of player development Brian Graham and director of scouting Gary Rajsich. Only two coaches are known to have joined the staff, with a third offered a job in the bullpen, per sources. And how's that analytics department coming along? Openings remain for a manager at Triple-A Norfolk, a...

Coming up with Orioles resolutions for 2019

December 30, 2018, 12:38pm

Orioles

A team that posted the worst record in club history is bound to be subjected to the New Year's Eve ball-dropping joke that I repeat every winter. I'll be above it today. 'Tis the season for clichÃ©d resolution articles and I'm not above them. For example: Jonathan Villar: Don't make the first or last out trying to steal third base. Villar: Don't be passive on the bases. You can figure out how to balance the two. Trey Mancini: Get your Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) closer to the minus-1...