Roch Kubatko

Leftovers for breakfast

February 04, 2018, 10:01am

Orioles

Included among the memorable nuggets to spill out of FanFest, along with the boulder-sized announcement that Manny Machado would play shortstop, was executive vice president Dan Duquette's confirmation that the Orioles have been in contact with utility infielder Ryan Flaherty. A season ticket holder brought up Flaherty's name during the Q&A session and Duquette noted the applause and the popularity of "Flash." Someone has to cover the four infield positions and, ideally, have the...

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Hutchison a consideration as Orioles seek starting pitchers

February 03, 2018, 5:21pm

Orioles

The Orioles have four catchers on their 40-man roster after Friday's trade with the Brewers that gave them Andrew Susac, a former top prospect for the Giants who hasn't hit in the majors, but is the depth move that executive vice president Dan Duquette sought before spring training. The roster is full and the Orioles still have three openings in their rotation. They can create room, of course, but it's been easier to find catchers and utility infielders than starting pitchers. This isn't...

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Mancini approaching spring training in usual competitive manner

February 02, 2018, 7:05am

Orioles

Mancini approaching spring training in usual competitive manner

One year ago, Trey Mancini was a prospect at first base and uncertain whether the 25-man roster could hold him on opening day. Chris Davis blocked him at his natural position, Mark Trumbo was ticketed for designated hitter duties and organizational debate centered on the wisdom of his part-time role in the majors versus regular at-bats in Triple-A. There's been a dramatic shift as the Orioles near another spring training. Mancini is one of the certainties on a roster that still requires...

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Darren O'Day: "Last year was encouraging in a lot of aspects"

February 01, 2018, 7:09pm

Orioles

Darren O'Day: "Last year was encouraging in a lot of aspects"

The Orioles went into the offseason showing more of a willingness to part with a bullpen piece in order to satisfy other roster needs, dealing from a strength while running the risk of weakening a unit that's needed to prop up a shaky rotation. They listened to offers for closer Zach Britton and setup man Brad Brach. They turned a clogged ear to overtures for Mychal Givens, but otherwise were open to making a move that impacted the back end. Britton ruptured his Achilles tendon while running...

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Mountcastle, Stewart and Mullins among 19 O's non-roster invites

February 01, 2018, 6:48am

Orioles

Mountcastle, Stewart and Mullins among 19 O's non-roster invites

The Orioles are inviting 19 non-roster players to their major league camp later this month, increasing to 35 the number of pitchers filtering into the Ed Smith Stadium complex. More starters are expected to show up later with Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman the only confirmed members of the rotation. The club also might want to add a couple of mounds. The list of non-roster invitees includes outfield prospects DJ Stewart and Cedric Mullins and third baseman Ryan Mountcastle. The complete list is...

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Gausman and Bundy on being the only confirmed starters

January 31, 2018, 4:14pm

Orioles

Gausman and Bundy on being the only confirmed starters

The lack of confirmed starters for the Orioles rotation is both a concern and a source of comedic material. "It's definitely a little weird, but I'm sure in the next couple weeks we'll probably sign some other guys," Kevin Gausman said at FanFest. "But yeah, it's definitely a little weird right now for sure. I think I've had probably 50 people in the last, I haven't even been here a day, but say something about me pitching every two days. That's the running joke around town I guess...

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Thirteen spring training games to air on 105.7 The Fan

January 31, 2018, 8:45am

Orioles

Thirteen spring training games to air on 105.7 The Fan

Orioles pitchers and catchers report to spring training in fewer than two weeks and the radio broadcast schedule is available to whet the appetite of fans who already are starving for baseball. Thirteen exhibition games will air on Entercom's 105.7 The Fan, beginning with the home opener on Feb. 23 against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Eleven of the 13 games will be played at the Orioles home facility. The road broadcasts are March 21 against the Yankees in Tampa and March 25 - the...

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More on Machado, Beckham and Mountcastle

January 30, 2018, 11:46am

Orioles

More on Machado, Beckham and Mountcastle

Manny Machado pulled off the neat trick of being a central figure in three FanFest storylines despite remaining home in Miami. Why wasn't he there? What position is he playing? Why hasn't he been traded or signed to a lucrative extension? We only know that he had an unexcused absence that manager Buck Showalter supported as a private matter. We know that he's entering camp as the starting shortstop, with Tim Beckham moving to third base. And executive vice president Dan Duquette explained...

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O'Day with differing opinions on netting and pitch clock

January 29, 2018, 9:32am

Orioles

O'Day with differing opinions on netting and pitch clock

The expansion of the protective netting at Camden Yards and most ballparks meets the approval of Orioles reliever Darren O'Day, who's been an advocate of it for many years. However, the possibility of Major League Baseball instituting a 20-second pitch clock brings the opposite reaction. One out of two might have to suffice. The Orioles are extending the netting from section 16 to section 58, though the exact dimensions will become official after further work with the design and engineering...

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Zach Britton on being "maybe a little ahead of schedule"

January 28, 2018, 9:37am

Orioles

Zach Britton on being "maybe a little ahead of schedule"

Zach Britton couldn't attend Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center, an excused absence based on his Achilles surgery and rehab in California. But the Orioles closer was a presence at the annual event, spreading positive updates about his recovery in an online Q&A and conference call with the media. He also maintained a humorous dialogue through his Twitter account while referenced in the season ticket holders' session with executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager...

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Trumbo talks about the value of less as more

January 27, 2018, 4:55pm

Orioles

Trumbo talks about the value of less as more

Mark Trumbo led the majors with 47 home runs in 2016, drove in 108 runs and parlayed his career highs into a three-year, $37.5 million contract to remain with the Orioles. A virtual bargain given today's salaries. Trumbo followed it up with 23 home runs, 65 RBIs, an OPS that dipped from .850 to .686 and a vow to clear his head and get a fresh start. His offseason routine is, in his words, "a little bit different this year." No sense repeating anything that led to such a...

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Adam Jones on lack of contract talks and free agency

January 27, 2018, 1:02pm

Orioles

Adam Jones on lack of contract talks and free agency

With free agency on the horizon and the bulk of fan and media attention on others who could leave Baltimore, center fielder Adam Jones confirmed this afternoon at FanFest that he hasn't been involved in any contract negotiations with the Orioles. Jones is set to earn $17 million in the final season of the six-year, $85.5 million extension he signed in May 2012. Rumors surfaced at the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., that the Orioles had approached him about a three-year offer, which...

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Beckham on third base: "I'm looking forward to it"

January 27, 2018, 11:24am

Orioles

Beckham on third base: "I'm looking forward to it"

Tim Beckham said he found out last night, through a conversation with Orioles manager Buck Showalter, that he would move from shortstop to third base and he's ready for it. No nerves, no reservations. He'll do what's needed without complaint. "It's exciting, man. It's a new position for me, so I'm ready to go over and have some fun for sure," he said during his media sesson at FanFest. "Last night, Buck mentioned it and I'm open to it, especially if it helps the team and it's a...

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Showalter on Machado at shortstop and FanFest absences

January 27, 2018, 8:53am

Orioles

Showalter on Machado at shortstop and FanFest absences

Ending months of speculation over which position Manny Machado will play, Orioles manager Buck Showalter told the media at FanFest this morning that the three-time All-Star - absent from the event - will move to shortstop. There isn't a bigger story here, rivaled only by Machado and Jonathan Schoop staying home. Tim Beckham will play third base, where he's made five major league starts, while Machado returns to his original position. Machado didn't appear at shortstop last summer while J.J....

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Duquette on starting pitching, his contract and more

January 27, 2018, 7:28am

Orioles

Duquette on starting pitching, his contract and more

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, appearing at today's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center, said he's confident that he can add a couple of starting pitchers and is setting March 1 as sort of a deadline to do it. "They're going to need three or four weeks to get ready, so it would be important to get somebody signed up three or four weeks from the start of the season," Duquette said. "So if you work back from the 29th of March, I think March 1 is the date we'd be...

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Machado playing shortstop in 2018 (and other notes)

January 27, 2018, 6:40am

Orioles

Machado playing shortstop in 2018 (and other notes)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that Manny Machado will go into spring training as the starting shortstop and Tim Beckham will play third base. Showalter told the media assembled on the third floor of the Baltimore Convention Center for the annual FanFest. Showalter said the plan could change later, but this is how the players will be positioned. He indicated that Beckham preferred to stay at shortstop, but Machado wanted to move over and it's his natural position. More on that...

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Dickerson on Beckham, Russell on catchers, Coolbaugh on Davis

January 26, 2018, 12:41pm

Orioles

Dickerson on Beckham, Russell on catchers, Coolbaugh on Davis

The doors to the Baltimore Convention Center open this morning at 10 a.m. for season ticket holders attending the annual FanFest event and 11 a.m. for everyone else. Gauging the crowd's mood will be interesting, given the slow offseason and unexpected absences of star players Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop. Along with the anticipated questions about Machado's status on the team - traded or not traded, shortstop or third baseman - executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck...

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Orioles acquire Ã‰ngelb Vielma from Giants

January 26, 2018, 10:57am

Orioles

The Orioles have tossed another candidate into the mix for utility infielder, acquiring Ã‰ngelb Vielma from the Giants this afternoon for a player to be named or cash considerations. The trade won't rock the foundation of the Baltimore Convention Center for Saturday's FanFest event, but they were in the market for a player with Vielma's skill set. Vielma, 23, can play second base, shortstop and third base and he's a switch-hitter. He's also well-traveled, the Orioles marking his fifth...

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Machado and Schoop no longer scheduled for FanFest

January 26, 2018, 6:22am

Orioles

Machado and Schoop no longer scheduled for FanFest

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado won't attend Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center, marking the second time in three years that he's skipped the annual event. The club sent out an email this morning to alert fans who purchased autograph vouchers and offer refunds. Three-fourths of last year's starting infield won't be in Baltimore this weekend. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop also informed the team that he isn't going to attend. First baseman Chris Davis, whose wife,...

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Notes on starting pitching market, contract talks and more

January 25, 2018, 5:13pm

Orioles

Notes on starting pitching market, contract talks and more

As the offseason moves closer toward the date when pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Orioles haven't been able to find starters on the free agent market who are within their price range or don't pose a risk of flunking the physical. I've written that the club expressed concerns over the medicals on multiple starters, further thinning out a crop that doesn't impress beyond the upper tier. They're not in on Yu Darvish or Jake Arrieta and don't expect Alex Cobb or Lance...