Roch Kubatko

Chris Davis on his "great offseason" and fighting the shift

January 04, 2018, 5:12pm

Orioles

Chris Davis on his "great offseason" and fighting the shift

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis arranged an interview session with some of the beat writers before the final game at Tropicana Field and vowed to dedicate his offseason to working with hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh in Texas while attempting to improve his average and get back to being a threat in the middle of the order. It wasn't just lip service. Davis had just finished another session with Coolbaugh last night and was driving home as he called into the "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on 105.7...

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This, that and the other

January 03, 2018, 1:42pm

Orioles

Spring training wouldn't feel right unless the media had camp competitions to chronicle on a daily basis. Fifth starter, last bullpen and bench spots, backup catcher. It allows us to obsess over guys like Chad Moeller, Luis Exposito, Zack Phillips, Ryan Drese, Alex Gonzalez, Jimmy Paredes, Travis Ishikawa, Jason Pridie, Russ Canzler, Jai Miller and Trayvon Robinson. It makes us feel foolish later when so many of them disappear and are never heard from again. Oh heck, let's keep going. Hayden...

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Previewing next week's minicamp in Sarasota (updated twice)

January 02, 2018, 11:20am

Orioles

Previewing next week's minicamp in Sarasota (updated twice)

While the extended forecast calls for snow possible later this week and temperatures so low that they can turn your thoughts to ice, the highs in Sarasota are stuck in the 50s until Sunday. Until the Orioles begin trickling into the Ed Smith Stadium complex for their annual three-day minicamp. Temperatures are supposed to climb back into the 70s by Monday's first workout with only a 10 percent chance of rain before everyone returns home. The guys living up north may leave kicking and...

Rehashing questions and revisiting Bundy

January 01, 2018, 1:24pm

Orioles

Rehashing questions and revisiting Bundy

We're in the midst of a new week in a new year with the same old questions hovering around the Orioles. Dogging them like a pack of Dobermans. How will executive vice president Dan Duquette fill out the rotation with three spots open and the club showing no inclination to spend the necessary amount to land an ace-like arm? Which left-handed hitters will be obtained, whether via trade or free agency, in an attempt to provide a little more balance to the lineup? Which left-handed reliever will...

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Coming up with a few New Year's resolutions for the Orioles

December 31, 2017, 5:50am

Orioles

While wondering how many fans woke up this morning with their faces pressed against the cold bathroom floor tiles ... I've never been one to compose a list of New Year's resolutions, mainly because there's little chance that I'd see them through. And they're terribly clichÃ©d as sports-related stories on Jan. 1. But who am I to judge? Or Aaron Judge? If the Orioles are going to create team-wide resolutions, they should make certain to include the following: Avoid breaking the club record...

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Dickerson on Machado as shortstop

December 30, 2017, 4:44am

Orioles

With New Year's Eve upon us and recycled news all the rage during the hot stove season, I'm tempted to dust off my annual quip about assuring that the ball drops at midnight. You know, by putting (insert name of poor defender) underneath it. We all have our own holiday traditions. Manny Machado never will make it as the punchline. Platinum Glove winners are ineligible. (Hey, in case you hadn't heard in the last hour, the Orioles remain in touch with teams interested in trading for Machado...

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Dickerson on making Beckham better and getting his degree

December 29, 2017, 5:06am

Orioles

Dickerson on making Beckham better and getting his degree

Orioles third base coach Bobby Dickerson, regarded as one of baseball's finest infield instructors, has no idea whether Tim Beckham will open the 2018 season at shortstop, move to another position or take a seat on the bench and handle a utility role. He isn't privy to any inside information regarding the club's plans, which remain in the developmental stages as executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to hear from teams interested in trading for Manny Machado. The best that Dickerson...

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What's left for Orioles as they try to balance lineup?

December 28, 2017, 5:29am

Orioles

The rotation was the Orioles' primary concern before and during the 2017 season and it remains long after Rays reliever Chaz Roe struck out rookie Trey Mancini for the final out at Tropicana Field. It dominates, but it doesn't distract. There's other serious business that needs to get done before opening day. Try creating a mock lineup and count the number of left-handed hitters in it. Let's put a right-hander on the mound for the opposition. Let's try to stay in step with manager Buck...

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Thoughts on Liranzo, RamÃrez and Ynoa

December 27, 2017, 7:35am

Orioles

Another day has passed for the Orioles with Manny Machado at third base, three openings in the rotation and the same need for a left-handed bat or two. A veteran catcher and utility player also haven't been crossed off the list. This is going to be a process. Here are three more pitchers worthy of a blog discussion while waiting for the hot stove to no longer feel cool to the touch: Orioles manager Buck Showalter predicted early in 2017 that pitcher Jesus Liranzo could have an impact on the...

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Thoughts on Asher, Hart, Crichton and Yacabonis

December 26, 2017, 11:13am

Orioles

Thoughts on Asher, Hart, Crichton and Yacabonis

There are no holiday updates on the Orioles' search for starting pitching and a left-handed reliever with plus velocity and the splits to present the option as a specialist. The 40-man roster includes 24 pitchers, and the Orioles have announced 14 more on minor league deals since Nov. 28. Maybe there's strength in numbers. I've spent part of the offseason choosing Orioles who need to step up or have various questions circling over their heads. Let's toss out another handful. * Alec Asher is...

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Leftovers for breakfast

December 25, 2017, 4:47pm

Orioles

The Orioles will hold their annual three-day minicamp in Sarasota beginning on Jan. 8 and manager Buck Showalter has been compiling his list of invitees and awaiting the responses. Former outfielder Dariel Ãlvarez could be summoned to the Ed Smith Stadium complex while rehabbing from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow back in April. The minicamp serves multiple purposes, including the opportunity for the Orioles to check on injured players or the ones who underwent a medical...

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Christmas Because You Asked

December 24, 2017, 9:18am

Orioles

If visions of sugarplums are dancing in your heads on this Christmas morning, you may want to dilute the eggnog. You also might want to skip the malls in the future and do your one-stop shopping on this blog with all of your Orioles questions. But they tend to repeat like garlic shrimp. Chestnuts are roasting on the hot stove as we stay in a festive mood. Santa has his bag of toys and I have my mailbag. I'm not much of a dancer, but I've gotten Blitzen on eggnog. And so much for a silent...

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Could Zach Britton get an extension and become a starter again?

December 23, 2017, 4:24pm

Orioles

Could Zach Britton get an extension and become a starter again?

Whatever happens to Zach Britton moving forward from his Achilles surgery, gentle steps on the road to recovery, he's expected to remain in the organization that drafted him and eventually found the ideal role. Talk of releasing him should be muted, from what I've been told. It's complicated, but Britton would receive his full salary despite no resolution for 2018 after the Orioles tendered him a contract. They remain encouraged by the possibility of his return before the All-Star break. The...

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Bundy on Britton: "I didn't want to believe it at first" (and notes)

December 22, 2017, 10:48am

Orioles

Bundy on Britton: "I didn't want to believe it at first" (and notes)

Dylan Bundy has reached the point of the offseason where he pays closer attention to the maneuverings, rumors and doses of news - both good and bad - coming from the Orioles. It's just done between hunting trips and workouts. Bundy found out about closer Zach Britton's ruptured Achilles and hoped that the reports were a mistake. "I think the first time I saw it was on Twitter or on TV and I didn't want to believe it at first. I thought it was just a typo," Bundy said this week on the...

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Orioles sign four to minor league contracts

December 22, 2017, 6:47am

Orioles

The Orioles announced four minor league signings, including three players who stay in the organization after becoming free agents. Left-handers Jayson Aquino and Andrew Faulkner and corner infielder Aderlin Rodriguez agreed to terms, as did right-hander Tim Melville, the lone outsider in the group. Melville, who's 28 and a former fourth-round pick, has appeared in six major league games with the Reds, Twins and Padres since 2016. He made one start for the Twins this summer, allowing five runs...

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Brach on Britton: "I just feel heartbroken for him"

December 21, 2017, 4:59pm

Orioles

Brach on Britton: "I just feel heartbroken for him"

Life can throw you the sharpest of curveballs, the kind that dive in the dirt and freeze hitters, and relievers who make a living at it aren't immune. Brad Brach's heart is full with the arrival of his first child, a daughter, earlier this week. It also aches for teammate and friend Zach Britton, who underwent surgery yesterday to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. Britton could be back anywhere from May to July, depending on the level of optimism. Yesterday's procedure went extremely well...

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Britton's surgery on Achilles "went really well"

December 21, 2017, 1:16pm

Orioles

Britton's surgery on Achilles "went really well"

Orioles closer Zach Britton underwent surgery today to repair his right Achilles tendon in Los Angeles and there were no complications or anything unexpected that drew concerns from the medical side or within the organization. I was told this afternoon that the procedure, "went well," and Britton later offered his own confirmation via Twitter. Surgery went really well. Want to thank everyone for their support. Especially Dr. Kenneth Jung and his staff at @KerlanJobe -- Zach Britton...

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Revisiting the latest on Machado and Britton

December 20, 2017, 1:10pm

Orioles

Revisiting the latest on Machado and Britton

Pitchers and catchers don't report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex until Feb. 13. There's plenty of time for the Orioles to straighten out their offseason and no longer feel like victims. Plenty of time for the lucky rabbit's foot to stop kicking them below the belt. They kept insisting that they weren't shopping third baseman Manny Machado, that they were just open to listening as teams made their pitches. They delivered a clear signal that Machado could be moved for the right offer, but...

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Britton: "This is not the way I envisioned ending my time there"

December 20, 2017, 8:02am

Orioles

Britton: "This is not the way I envisioned ending my time there"

Orioles closer Zach Britton sat in a car yesterday with his wife Courtney and the tears flowed. This isn't how he wants to end his career with the Orioles, the longest-tenured player on their roster set to undergo surgery Thursday to repair his right Achilles tendon. Confident that he's going to pitch later in the summer, but unsure if it's with the team that drafted and developed him - first as a starter and later a dominant ninth inning specialist. Dr. Kenneth Jung of the Kerlan-Jobe...

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Britton ruptures Achilles tendon during workouts

December 20, 2017, 6:36am

Orioles

Britton ruptures Achilles tendon during workouts

An offseason for the Orioles that's been defined by their willingness to trade third baseman Manny Machado and a desperate search for starting pitching has a new storyline involving a serious injury to closer Zach Britton. Britton ruptured his right Achilles tendon yesterday while working out at agent Scott Boras' training center in California. The Orioles found out about it last night, according to executive vice president Dan Duquette, who confirmed the injury. "We're trying to get our...