Roch Kubatko

This, that and the other

November 30, 2017, 4:28pm

Orioles

As the Orioles continue their search for starting pitchers, casting a wide net that covers the free agent, trade and international markets and potential non-tenders, they also are banking on two strong halves from Kevin Gausman. Tabbed as this year's opening day starter due to Chris Tillman's shoulder injury, Gausman registered a 5.85 ERA and 1.763 WHIP before the All-Star break and a 3.41 ERA and 1.204 WHIP after it. In 2016, he had a 4.15 ERA and 1.304 WHIP before the break and a 3.10 ERA...

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Duquette on Britton, Schoop, Machado and more

November 30, 2017, 2:48pm

Orioles

Duquette on Britton, Schoop, Machado and more

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated again tonight that he expects to keep closer Zach Britton rather than succumb to the various trade proposals. Appearing on the first edition of the "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 the Fan, Duquette was asked to place odds on Britton being with the club on opening day. "I think they're good," he replied. "I like Zach Britton. Obviously, there's a lot of interest in him. He's got one year left on his contract here, he's been one...

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Orioles set home game times with earlier Sunday starts

November 30, 2017, 10:10am

Orioles

The Orioles have announced start times for their 2018 home schedule, and folks attending Sunday games at Camden Yards are going to have to adjust their schedules. Sunday games will now begin at 1:05 p.m., a change from the previous 1:35 p.m. start time. Though games will start a half-hour earlier, Sundays will still be family days at the ballpark, which means fans ages 4-14 will be able to participate in a postgame Kids Run The Bases event, sponsored by Weis Markets. The Orioles will begin the...

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Tending to non-tender business

November 29, 2017, 10:42am

Orioles

The next important date in Major League Baseball doesn't involve Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez. Friday marks the deadline for teams to offer contracts to arbitration-eligible players or non-tender them, which expands the free agent market. The Orioles were able to sign catcher Welington Castillo last winter because the Diamondbacks non-tendered him. They would have engaged in trade talks if he hadn't unexpectedly hit the market. They're going to pay close attention again while continuing...

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brad brach caleb joseph dan duquette jonathan schoop kevin gausman manny machado orioles tim beckham zach britton featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

A few thoughts on Nick Markakis and how he'd fit Orioles

November 28, 2017, 12:05pm

Orioles

The Orioles could use a left-handed hitting corner outfielder with a career .358 on-base percentage who is comfortable playing at Camden Yards and capable of serving as the leadoff hitter. But Nick Markakis isn't walking through that door. At least, I don't think so. Markakis never wanted to leave Baltimore. Returning "home" with the Braves hasn't been a joyful experience for a variety of reasons. But I haven't detected any signs that a reunion is in the works. There has been previous...

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Tejada, Rosa, Ripken among 14 free agents signed by Orioles

November 28, 2017, 9:33am

Orioles

More comfortable announcing a bunch of minor league signings instead of letting them trickle out one at a time, the Orioles released the names of 14 free agents today who are staying in or joining the organization. The roll call includes infielder RubÃ©n Tejada, who appeared in 41 games this season and came off the 40-man roster after the Orioles activated Ryan Flaherty from the disabled list. Flaherty is a free agent and Tejada could compete for a utility job. The Orioles didn't reveal...

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More on Hays, the Edgin signing and Jones' tailgate

November 27, 2017, 5:33pm

Orioles

More on Hays, the Edgin signing and Jones' tailgate

Yesterday in this space I wondered whether the Orioles would use catcher Chance Sisco in a platoon with Caleb Joseph or anoint one of them as the primary starter - assuming that the rookie breaks camp with the team, of course. Don't ever assume or else ... you know the rest. I'm shifting my focus this morning to another rookie, outfielder Austin Hays, who was chosen as the organization's Minor League Player of the Year. Hays could get most of the at-bats among the candidates for right field....

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adam jones austin hays buck showalter caleb joseph cedric mullins chance sisco dan duquette donnie hart jaycob brugman josh edgin orioles ryan o'rourke trey mancini zach britton featured_sidebar richard bleier frontstory_orioles2

Fister off board and a catching question

November 27, 2017, 1:41am

Orioles

Fister off board and a catching question

The Orioles will enter another season without Doug Fister in their rotation. Maybe we can start up more rumors at the non-waiver trade deadline. Manager Buck Showalter really likes Fister and has recommended him in the past, but the veteran right-hander reportedly has agreed to a one-year deal with the Rangers. He's coming off the board while the Orioles try to plug the holes in their rotation. Fister reportedly will receive $4 million guaranteed, including a $500,000 buyout, and there's a...

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A group of Orioles who need to stop 2017 slides

November 25, 2017, 11:25am

Orioles

I filled this space yesterday with three players who improved from 2016 to 2017 in a specific area and must continue to trend upward and avoid reverting to previous form. Let's spin it the other way and look at three players who declined in a certain area and must reverse course. There are lots of candidates in lots of statistical categories. Like shooting fish in a barrel. I just chose these four to pace myself. It's still only November. Can Kevin Gausman recapture his touch versus...

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Three Orioles who must maintain improvements

November 24, 2017, 8:04am

Orioles

When a team loses 19 of its last 23 games and tumbles to the bottom of the division with a sickening thud, the natural inclination is to pick apart each player and focus on the negatives that destroyed a season. Finding the silver linings can be a strain to the eyes. I randomly chose three players who trended upward in a specific area and will need to keep heading in that direction as the Orioles attempt to ditch the cellar and get back into contention. Can Jonathan Schoop rev up the on-base...

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Orioles will continue quest to balance out lineup

November 23, 2017, 3:55am

Orioles

Now that we've moved past the Thanksgiving holiday, it's time to tackle two important questions: How many ways can turkey be used in leftovers before it turns colors? And how will the Orioles continue to address their need for left-handed bats? Soups, sandwiches, chili, casseroles, pot pies, enchiladas, omelets and hash are handy ways to transform whatever remains on the carcass and serving dish. That one was easy. Executive vice president Dan Duquette suggested last week that he could be in...

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adam jones anthony santander austin hays buck showalter dan duquette jaycob brugman manny machado mark trumbo orioles tim beckham trey mancini featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Wynns on 40-man spot: "It means everything"

November 22, 2017, 10:50am

Orioles

Wynns on 40-man spot: "It means everything"

How intense is the roll that catcher Austin Wynns is on these days? How big is the wave he's riding? He was given another opportunity to play baseball in the Dominican Republic, the same fulfilling experience as last year. He was able to go home for Thanksgiving and be surrounded by family and friends. He lives in San Diego, where the weather is always ideal. And he found out Monday evening that the Orioles placed him on their 40-man roster three weeks shy of his 27th birthday. I'd suggest...

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Orioles acquire Jaycob Brugman from Athletics (updated)

November 22, 2017, 9:51am

Orioles

As the Orioles seek more balance in their lineup, they found a left-handed hitting outfielder today who will compete for a spot in spring training. The Orioles acquired outfielder Jaycob Brugman from the Athletics for a player to be named or cash. The 40-man roster has increased to 34 players. The A's designated Brugman for assignment on Monday as rosters were set prior to the Rule 5 draft. He made his major league debut on June 9 and batted .266/.346/.343 with two doubles, three home runs, 12...

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More on Hall of Fame debate and surrendering slots

November 21, 2017, 2:45pm

Orioles

More on Hall of Fame debate and surrendering slots

With Hall of Fame ballots made public on Monday, we can renew the debate over selecting players known to have used performance-enhancing drugs or who fall in the category of suspicion. The confessors and the denials after names appeared in the Mitchell Report. Pros who also are cons. (Did the last one work? Because I really wanted to make it happen.) Former second baseman Joe Morgan, a prominent member of the famed "Big Red Machine" in Cincinnati, sent out an email yesterday via the Hall of...

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Orioles acquire Konner Wade from Rockies

November 21, 2017, 8:33am

Orioles

The Orioles used one of their favorite methods to address their need for pitching depth. Executive vice president Dan Duquette has acquired minor league right-hander Konner Wade from the Rockies for international signing bonus slot money, according to an industry source. I'm told that the trade was consummated last night, but neither team has announced it. Wade, who turns 26 next month, is a former seventh-round pick in 2013 out of the University of Arizona. He's 29-35 with a 4.05 ERA and...

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More on Rule 5 decisions, spring slate and trade rumblings

November 20, 2017, 5:45pm

Orioles

More on Rule 5 decisions, spring slate and trade rumblings

The Orioles set their 40-man roster yesterday with about two hours to spare before the deadline imposed by Major League Baseball. Seven spots remain open as the Orioles navigate through the offseason and attempt to add pitching and at least one left-handed bat. They also could make a pick in the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 14. Only teams with room on the 40-man are eligible to participate. Serious consideration was given to left-hander Luis Gonzalez and infielder Steve Wilkerson, but they weren't...

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Harvey, Hess and Wynns added to 40-man (plus other notes)

November 20, 2017, 1:32pm

Orioles

Harvey, Hess and Wynns added to 40-man (plus other notes)

The Orioles have filled three of the 10 open spots on their 40-man roster. Pitchers Hunter Harvey and David Hess and catcher Austin Wynns were added today and no longer are eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 draft that's held on the final day of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 14 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. No other players from inside the organization can be placed on the roster before the Rule 5 draft. Harvey, 22, was the 22nd-overall pick in the 2013 draft whose career was slowed by a myriad of...

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Rule 5 and rotation reminders

November 19, 2017, 4:06pm

Orioles

The Orioles must set their 40-man roster by 8 p.m. to protect players from selection in the Rule 5 draft, which takes place on the final day of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 14 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Clubs pay $100,000 for any draftee in the major league phase, the cost doubling last year. The Orioles must decide whether to make their annual pick while also are required to carry outfielder Anthony Santander on their 25-man roster for the first 44 days of the 2018 season. A reliever, outfielder...

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Notes on Machado, Jones and the lack of extension talks

November 18, 2017, 5:56am

Orioles

Notes on Machado, Jones and the lack of extension talks

The Orioles are preoccupied with drumming up potential trade partners, putting the most appealing and affordable free agents on their board and getting their coaches and various staff members under contract for the 2018 season. Extension talks are on the back burner of the hot stove season. Manny Machado's representatives will hear from the Orioles in perhaps a final attempt to keep him from entering the free agent market. I don't see the downside of negotiating during the season - Machado...

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More on the Rule 5 draft and coaches' contracts

November 17, 2017, 5:53am

Orioles

More on the Rule 5 draft and coaches' contracts

As Monday's deadline approaches to protect players in the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles continue to deliberate on the number of additions to their 40-man roster. They have 10 openings with the removal of their free agents, so space isn't a concern. They won't protect that many players, but it's nice to have the flexibility. "We have a number of players under consideration," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "The roster deadline is Monday, so we're going to work on that through the...