Roch Kubatko

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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alex cobb andrew cashner breyvic valera brian graham buck showalter dan duquette dean kremer dylan bundy mychal givens orioles yusniel diaz zach pop featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

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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brian graham caleb joseph chance sisco jonathan villar orioles tim beckham tripp norton featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

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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brian graham calvin maduro chris lee joel bradley orioles ryan mckenna tripp norton featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

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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dan duquette dave engle jim howard orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

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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adam jones brian graham dillon tate jonathan villar luis gonzalez martin cervenka orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

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...

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adam jones chris davis colby rasmus dan duquette mark trumbo orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles re-sign Gilmartin to minor league deal

November 02, 2018, 3:17pm

Orioles

Sean Gilmartin's exit from the Orioles organization lasted one day. The Orioles have re-signed the left-hander to a minor league contract after including him yesterday among four players outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Gilmartin and infielder Jace Peterson declined the assignment and elected free agency. Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa and infielder Corban Joseph agreed to terms on minor league deals for 2019. All four players cleared outright waivers and came off the 40-man roster, with the spots filled...

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adam jones austin hays colby rasmus corban joseph dan duquette gabriel ynoa jace peterson mark trumbo orioles pedro araujo richard bleier sean gilmartin featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Updating the 40-man roster and pending decisions

November 02, 2018, 11:03am

Orioles

Updating the 40-man roster and pending decisions

A full 40-man roster has left the Orioles with another set of decisions to make while creating room for players leading into the Rule 5 draft and eventual outside acquisitions via trades and free agency. The deadline to non-tender players is Nov. 30 and the Orioles must figure out whether to give raises to infielder Tim Beckham and catcher Caleb Joseph. They're the ones who are at risk. Starter Dylan Bundy, reliever Mychal Givens and infielder Jonathan Villar obviously are staying on the...

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andrew susac austin wynns buck showalter caleb joseph chance sisco dan duquette donnie hart dylan bundy jonathan villar martin cervenka mychal givens orioles ryan meisinger tim beckham featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

What's on today's agenda? (updated)

November 01, 2018, 3:51pm

Orioles

The important offseason dates in Major League Baseball include today's 5 p.m. deadline for teams to extend the qualifying offer to their own free agents, which reportedly has grown to $17.9 million. The Orioles will pass on Adam Jones and Colby Rasmus. A front office that remains under construction also will remove pitchers Richard Bleier and Pedro Araujo and outfielders Mark Trumbo and Austin Hays from the 60-day disabled list. Bleier underwent surgery in June to repair a Grade 3 tear in his...

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austin hays brian graham buck showalter colby rasmus corban joseph gabriel ynoa jace peterson mark trumbo orioles pedro araujo richard bleier sean gilmartin featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

More on Orioles' 40-man roster and personnel changes (updated)

November 01, 2018, 9:02am

Orioles

The Orioles' 40-man roster continues to hold 39 players after the Mariners claimed outfielder John Andreoli yesterday afternoon. However, it's going down to 36 with pitcher Sean Gilmartin and infielders Jace Peterson and Corban Joseph also on outright waivers, their names appearing on the wire. Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa is on the 60-day disabled list, but he won't be activated and placed on the 40-man. None of the moves were unexpected. Ynoa didn't pitch for the Orioles this season, opening the...

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andrew susac austin hays cale cox caleb joseph corban joseph dillon tate gabriel ynoa jace peterson john andreoli mark trumbo martin cervenka orioles patrick di gregory pedro araujo richard bleier sean gilmartin featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

More changes coming to Orioles front office and scouting

October 31, 2018, 6:11pm

Orioles

The Orioles sorted through their Halloween candy last night and found a bunch of Whoppers and Dum Dums. One family sneaked in a box of raisins. Someone else gave out apples. This is what happens when you lose 115 games. The full-size Hershey bars go to the winners. I got a rock. A new month leaves several Orioles employees without contracts, the expiration dates striking at midnight. The front office already is undergoing significant changes while the Orioles decide on a president of baseball...

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dan duquette jerry kapstein john stockstill lee thomas orioles ron schueler ryan mckenna featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles lose Andreoli on waiver claim

October 31, 2018, 11:24am

Orioles

The Orioles' 40-man roster was full on Sunday, contained an opening on Monday, was filled again yesterday and has more space on it today. The lack of front office hires, still on hold following the World Series, hasn't shut down business. The Mariners claimed outfielder John Andreoli off waivers from the Orioles, who now have 39 players on the roster. Both clubs made the announcement this afternoon. Baseball's circle of life has returned Andreoli to the Mariners after the Orioles selected...

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adam jones austin hays branden kline dan duquette dillon tate john andreoli luis gonzalez mark trumbo martin cervenka orioles pedro araujo richard bleier sean gilmartin featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Hays moving in right direction with surgically repaired ankle

October 30, 2018, 1:03pm

Orioles

Hays moving in right direction with surgically repaired ankle

Double-A Bowie outfielder Austin Hays started a running program on Monday as part of his rehabilitation. An important ... wait for it ... step in his quest to compete for a job with the Orioles next season. Hays underwent surgery on Sept. 13 to repair a stress fracture and some cartilage defects in his left ankle. Dr. Robert Anderson, a specialist based in Green Bay, Wis., inserted two screws in the ankle and performed a bone graft to repair the cartilage and prevent a cyst from returning. So...

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adam jones austin hays branden kline cedric mullins chris davis chris lee dj stewart gabriel ynoa jace peterson mark trumbo orioles pedro araujo richard bleier ryan mckenna trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles place Branden Kline on 40-man roster

October 30, 2018, 12:25pm

Orioles

Pitcher Branden Kline's return from Tommy John surgery and multiple setbacks has taken him all the way to the Orioles' 40-man roster, with the possibility of further advancement in the coming months. It's been quite a journey. Kline, a Frederick native and second-round pick in the 2012 draft out of the University of Virginia, missed almost three full seasons before making a major breakthrough in the minors. He posted a 1.64 ERA with 17 saves in 65 2/3 innings while splitting the summer...

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Orioles add J'Rudjeanon Isenia to list of international signings

October 30, 2018, 10:44am

Orioles

The Orioles announced their latest international signing this afternoon, 16-year-old outfielder J'Rudjeanon Isenia out of CuraÃ§ao. The agreement on a $125,000 bonus was reported back in late August, but now it's official. The club provided the following statement from director of player development Brian Graham, who's handling the day-to-day duties in baseball operations on an interim basis: "Isenia is a right-handed-hitting outfielder with above average tools and a good swing. He is a...

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J'Rudjeanon Isenia brian graham buck showalter calvin maduro orioles orioles farm report frontstory_orioles1

The free agent market is open for business

October 29, 2018, 3:25pm

Orioles

The free agent market is open for business

The end of the World Series opened the gates yesterday to free agency and Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is included among the 145 players initially on the market. Outfielder Colby Rasmus also is listed with the Orioles, but it's a technicality. Rasmus left the team on July 3 and was placed on the restricted list, removing him from the 40-man roster. Rasmus made the same move the previous year while playing for the Rays and it's doubtful that he'll take another crack at landing a major league...