Roch Kubatko

More Manny Machado musings

December 19, 2017, 5:20pm

Orioles

Though it's painfully early in the morning, I'm happy to report that no one has asked me for an update on third baseman Manny Machado since my last trip to the bathroom. His status on the club reminds me of those halcyon days in the winter of 2015 when everyone wanted to know whether the Orioles would re-sign Chris Davis. Gym owners, bartenders, radio and television hosts, family and friends. None of them ranked in order of importance in my life, despite all the doubters. Will the Orioles...

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Orioles send Bray to Athletics to complete Brugman trade

December 19, 2017, 11:58am

Orioles

The Orioles announced a trade this afternoon that actually completed a transaction from a month ago and it didn't involve third baseman Manny Machado. Not much to see here, but other business must be attended to as the Orioles move through their offseason. The Orioles sent right-hander Jake Bray to the Athletics as the player to be named later for outfielder Jaycob Brugman, who will compete for a spot in spring training as a much-needed left-handed hitter. Bray, 25, was 2-5 with a 3.88 ERA and...

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Beckham fields more questions about Machado

December 18, 2017, 6:09pm

Orioles

Beckham fields more questions about Machado

Orioles shortstop Tim Beckham is making the rounds. The Orioles' annual holiday party for kids at Dave & Buster's at Arundel Mills Mall. A visit to the Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital. A phone interview on the "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. A Skype interview yesterday morning on "Hot Stove" on MLB Network. Beckham adjusted his cap yesterday, which he turned backward, lowered his head momentarily and chose his words carefully when asked about Manny Machado's desire to...

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Wondering about Beckham and the left side of the infield

December 17, 2017, 6:00pm

Orioles

Wondering about Beckham and the left side of the infield

Remember when it seemed like the Orioles lineup mostly was set and the offseason was all about finding starting pitchers, a left-handed bat and veteran catcher to provide insurance for Chance Sisco? The past week has brought such dramatic change that it now appears to be one of the most unsettled winters in recent memory. The Orioles could trade at least one of their star players, which isn't a usual occurrence in Baltimore. They could take a Platinum Glove winner and move him to another...

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Random rumblings, rumors and thoughts

December 16, 2017, 11:43am

Orioles

Finally back home from Lake Buena Vista, Fla., where I left my Mickey ears on the nightstand with a tip for housekeeping. Manny Machado hasn't been traded. Zach Britton and Brad Brach haven't been traded. Mychal Givens won't be traded. I've heard Givens, second baseman Jonathan Schoop and outfielder Trey Mancini referred to as "untouchable" by an executive from outside the organization who attended the Winter Meetings. Everyone has a price, but the Orioles are determined to hold onto the...

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How many reserves will the Orioles carry into the season?

December 15, 2017, 1:45pm

Orioles

Did Orioles manager Buck Showalter tip his hand at the Winter Meetings about the construction of his bench? Not the names. The number of players. Showalter pointed out during his media session how it's becoming more popular for teams to carry 13 pitches, which leaves three players in reserve roles. That's a tricky proposition for the Orioles, who must keep Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander for the first 44 days. They want to find a left-handed hitter. They want to improve their defense. Exactly...

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Quick update on Machado and the trade discussions

December 15, 2017, 1:34pm

Orioles

Quick update on Machado and the trade discussions

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - I've been told that it's "highly unlikely" that the Orioles do anything with Manny Machado tonight or later this weekend besides continuing to check on trade offers, though the situation is fluid and everything can change with a single phone call. The Diamondbacks have doubled back to the Orioles after prior surface talks, according to a source, and seem to be more interested. The White Sox, Cardinals and Yankees are included among the clubs still in play, though...

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A few leftovers from the Winter Meetings

December 14, 2017, 5:27pm

Orioles

A few leftovers from the Winter Meetings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - While the Orioles fielded trade offers for their star third baseman and top relievers at this week's Winter Meetings, they also checked on the level of interest in designated hitter Mark Trumbo. The Orioles are open to moving Trumbo and freeing up the designated hitter spot while he has two years and $26 million remaining on his contract. One source said teams counterpunched with the request that the Orioles absorb a portion of the remaining money. Trumbo led the...

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Duquette not expecting immediate resolution to Machado talks

December 14, 2017, 7:33am

Orioles

Duquette not expecting immediate resolution to Machado talks

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The trade talks involving Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will carry into the weekend, according to executive vice president Dan Duquette, eliminating the opportunity for immediate closure and the outpouring of sentimentality, outrage or whatever emotion sweeps over the fan base. It figures to be intense in nature. The latest edition of the Winter Meetings have come to a conclusion and the Orioles leave the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort without making a...

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Orioles select three players in Rule 5 and sign Michael Kelly

December 14, 2017, 5:28am

Orioles

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - While the Manny Machado rumors gain steam and the likelihood that he's traded, perhaps later this week, continues to grow, the Orioles extended their streak of selections in the Rule 5 draft. They obliterated the field today by making three picks before finally passing in the fourth round. They also signed right-hander Michael Kelly to a major league deal and will assign him to Triple-A Norfolk, leaving their 40-man roster at 38. Seeking a left-hander for their staff,...

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Waiting on the Rule 5 draft to wrap up the Winter Meetings

December 13, 2017, 5:16pm

Orioles

Waiting on the Rule 5 draft to wrap up the Winter Meetings

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The stampede for the front desk and the airport begins momentarily. Keep your head on a swivel if you're in the lobby area or you could be wearing foot prints as a shirt logo. Cutting through the speculation that the Orioles could abstain from the Rule 5 draft this morning due to carrying outfielder Anthony Santander for 44 more days, they most definitely will make a selection in the major league phase and probably go with multiple picks in the minor league...

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Duquette with latest Machado update and more

December 13, 2017, 2:18pm

Orioles

Duquette with latest Machado update and more

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The interest in Orioles third baseman Manny Machado continues to build as more teams meet with executive vice president Dan Duquette. Determining the market is an ongoing process, Duquette said this afternoon during his daily media briefing, but there's no real sense whether a trade gets done before Thursday's departures at the Winter Meetings, later in the offseason or never. "We're making good progress on that," Duquette said. "We met with a couple of teams...

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Quick hits from Duquette's daily media session

December 13, 2017, 12:56pm

Orioles

Quick hits from Duquette's daily media session

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said "more than a handful" of clubs are interested in third baseman Manny Machado and he met with a couple more today as the Winter Meetings near their conclusion. Duquette said he was able to get a clearer read on the market for Machado and the process is "moving along" while the Orioles determine whether there's a match. Though it still seems unlikely to happen, Duquette didn't refute the notion that the club could...

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Brach's status on trade market tied to Britton

December 13, 2017, 11:24am

Orioles

Brach's status on trade market tied to Britton

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles are receiving the anticipated level of interest in reliever Brad Brach, which is significant as he approaches his free agent season. Teams view Brach as a cheaper alternative to left-hander Zach Britton in terms of the asking price in any trade. He has closing experience in the majors and especially the minors, where he notched 119 saves, and can work in a setup role. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is willing to remove one of his bullpen pieces...

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Boras on Britton, Ãlvarez and Machado

December 13, 2017, 7:13am

Orioles

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.- The Scott Boras media scrum has lasted more than an hour outside the media room at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort with little Orioles subject matter, given that the priciest free agents in his stable aren't coming to Baltimore. Boras confirmed his meeting with executive vice president Dan Duquette, which took place Monday afternoon. Closer Zach Britton is a trade target at the Winter Meetings, but Boras said he doesn't think the left-hander is on the block. "I...

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More thoughts on Machado as Winter Meetings continue

December 13, 2017, 5:25am

Orioles

More thoughts on Machado as Winter Meetings continue

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Part of the debate over the wisdom of trading third baseman Manny Machado, and it's been a dominant topic as the Winter Meetings move into their third day, is whether he'd net a more bountiful return at the non-waiver deadline. While surface logic says that a greater number of prospects are made available with Machado under team control for a full season, contenders tend to get desperate around July 31 and more easily sell their souls - or part with young impact...

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Notes on Machado, Tillman, Wilkerson and Showalter's status

December 12, 2017, 5:01pm

Orioles

Notes on Machado, Tillman, Wilkerson and Showalter's status

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The sun came up this morning and the Orioles hadn't traded third baseman Manny Machado or moved him to shortstop. Let's see what the rest of the day brings. If Machado remains in the organization, and I can't place odds on it, I'd expect him to be the starting shortstop on opening day. Call it a hunch, call it my ability to read between the lines. It just seems as though manager Buck Showalter has made a decision and isn't ready to go public with it. The biggest...

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Duquette on Machado trade talks (Wilkerson suspended)

December 12, 2017, 1:36pm

Orioles

Duquette on Machado trade talks (Wilkerson suspended)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met with multiple teams today regarding possible trades involving third baseman Manny Machado. Whether a deal is consummated remains an uncertainty, with Duquette clearly open to the idea but also trumpeting Machado's value to the organization. Buckle up. "There's a lot of interest in Manny and a couple of clubs requested a meeting, so we met with a couple of clubs on that issue," Duquette said inside his suite at the...

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Showalter on Machado, trade talks, Jones and more

December 12, 2017, 11:46am

Orioles

Showalter on Machado, trade talks, Jones and more

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter isn't ready to anoint Manny Machado as his shortstop in 2018 or concede that the former first-round pick will be traded. Machado's status on the field and within the organization were the hottest topics today during Showalter's 23-minute session with the media inside the workroom at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. The Orioles are checking for matches in potential trades of Machado and closer Zach Britton, one of the major...

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Orioles talking to teams about Machado

December 12, 2017, 9:42am

Orioles

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles have become much more open to trading third baseman Manny Machado since arriving this week at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, with a source confirming that talks have "heated up" regarding the three-time All-Star. I wrote yesterday of the Phillies' interest and how the Orioles were compiling a list of prospects that could be included in a package. Other teams checked on Machado's availability, and while executive vice president Dan Duquette has...