Roch Kubatko

Schoop finishes 12th in AL MVP voting

November 16, 2017, 2:10pm

Orioles

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop, already chosen in September as Most Valuable Oriole, capped off his career season by placing 12th in voting for the American League's Most Valuable Player award. The announcement came tonight on MLB Network. Schoop appeared on seven ballots distributed to members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He received two votes for sixth place, two for eighth and three for 10th to give him 19 total points.. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve finished ahead...

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Duquette on Britton and the winter shopping list

November 16, 2017, 10:35am

Orioles

Duquette on Britton and the winter shopping list

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette returned from the GM meetings in Orlando late last night with a better sense of potential trade partners. However, he indicated again today that he'd prefer to hold on to closer Zach Britton, who continues to draw outside interest. Duquette nearly pulled off a trade at the non-waiver deadline that would have sent Britton to the Astros, but it fell apart due to the medicals on a couple of prospects. He met with representatives from multiple clubs...

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Tillman still a possible target for Orioles (plus Rule 5 note)

November 15, 2017, 1:45pm

Orioles

With the GM meetings concluded and the Winter Meetings less than a month away, the industry buzz on pitcher Chris Tillman remains that he's seeking a one-year deal and the chance to re-enter the free agent market following the 2018 season. The Orioles are in play as long as Tillman keeps his expectations at a modest level. They like him as a bounceback candidate on a pillow contract. The rotation certainly has room for him. One of the lingering questions is whether Tillman would have to settle...

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MVP talk, more on Schoop and the need for a left-handed bat

November 15, 2017, 9:50am

Orioles

MVP talk, more on Schoop and the need for a left-handed bat

The race for Most Valuable Player in the American League - and it's just an expression since I'm not aware of footspeed factoring into the outcome - comes down to the Astros' Jose Altuve and the Yankees' Aaron Judge. The result will be announced tonight on MLB Network. I can't reveal my ballot until the winner is confirmed, but it's safe to assume that I wasn't thinking outside the batter's box. Indians infielder JosÃ© RamÃrez is the other finalist. Orioles second baseman Jonathan...

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Is Britton back on the block?

November 13, 2017, 6:16pm

Orioles

The Orioles weren't deemed to be in active mode to trade closer Zach Britton this winter, preferring to make another run at the playoffs with him at the back end of the bullpen. No matter the cost in his final year of arbitration eligibility. No matter how many days were ticking off before he hit free agency. And then they got to the GM meetings in Orlando, Fla. and reopened the possibility of dealing him. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is discussing Britton with multiple teams, though...

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Wondering how Moylan would fit in bullpen

November 13, 2017, 2:32pm

Orioles

Wondering how Moylan would fit in bullpen

As the GM meetings began Monday morning in Orlando, Fla., the Orioles already had their first "interested in" report. Which is similar to "in on." Don't let the phrasing confuse you. The bullpen always is a priority with the Orioles, no matter the returnees, and MLB.com's Mark Bowman wrote that they've expressed interest in right-hander Peter Moylan. There doesn't seem to be a nagging need for one if factoring in right-handers Brad Brach, Darren O'Day and Mychal Givens. Moylan led the...

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Mancini places third in AL Rookie of the Year voting

November 13, 2017, 1:32pm

Orioles

Mancini places third in AL Rookie of the Year voting

Never in the true running to win this year's American League Rookie of the Year Award due to the historic bashing in the Bronx, the Orioles' Trey Mancini settled for a third-place finish tonight in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. It's an honor just to be nominated. And to be a finalist, which was confirmed last week. The Yankees' Aaron Judge was a unanimous winner, of course, garnering all 30 first-place votes for 150 points. The Red Sox's Andrew Benintendi was...

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Britton figures to stay in bullpen in 2018

November 11, 2017, 5:07am

Orioles

Britton figures to stay in bullpen in 2018

My recent dive into the ol' mailbag went swimmingly, so to speak, but I neglected one question that turns into an obsession every winter as the Orioles try to fix their rotation. It comes in many forms. It's the ooze of offseason inquiries. Is there any chance that Zach Britton becomes a starter again? Is there any talk of Zach Britton becoming a starter again? Could Zach Britton become a starter again? Why aren't the Orioles at least thinking about making Zach Britton a starter again? It's...

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Sorting through minor league free agents with Orioles connections

November 11, 2017, 4:53am

Orioles

As the Orioles sift through the batch of minor league free agents who could fill out rosters at the upper levels of their farm system, they're going to stumble upon some familiar names. Reunions are unlikely, though a few of them may intrigue you. Others may cause you to run screaming into the night. The list includes former Orioles outfielder Henry Urrutia, who finished the season with the Red Sox's Double-A affiliate in Portland, Maine. The Orioles released Urrutia on May 25 and the Red Sox...

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Pushing the prospects, AFL update and Morrow memories

November 10, 2017, 6:55am

Orioles

Pushing the prospects, AFL update and Morrow memories

As the Orioles try to plug holes and upgrade in spots over the winter, they figure to maintain their aggressive approach with certain prospects in their system. They may have to go station to station on the basepaths, but they aren't afraid to bump minor leaguers a level or push them harder up the ladder. I like this mindset. Cedric Mullins skipped high Single-A Frederick after batting .273/.321/.464 with 37 doubles, 10 triples, 14 home runs and 30 stolen bases at low Single-A Delmarva. He had...

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Orioles remain in market for left-handed relief

November 09, 2017, 2:01pm

Orioles

The shopping list compiled by the Orioles every winter always includes left-handed relievers. There's a steady search for a specialist who can compete for a job in spring training. Richard Bleier gave them more than matchups this season after executive vice president Dan Duquette pulled off a Feb. 21 trade with the Yankees. He offered up a 1.99 ERA in 63 1/3 innings. Bleier would seem to be a lock to break camp with the Orioles in 2018 as a second lefty along with closer Zach Britton, but...

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NuÃ±o's departure and more on Orioles minor league free agents

November 08, 2017, 11:29am

Orioles

Vidal NuÃ±o didn't give us much of a chance to become attached to him. Left camp for 10 days to pitch in the World Baseball Classic, spent a small portion of the summer with the Orioles, became a minor league free agent and found a new team. NuÃ±o has signed a minor league deal with the Rays, as first reported by Baseball America's Matt Eddy. He elected free agency last month, joining pitcher Logan Verrett, catcher Francisco PeÃ±a and second baseman Johnny Giavotella. Infielder RubÃ©n...

Machado denied a third Gold Glove Award (updated)

November 07, 2017, 4:15pm

Orioles

Machado denied a third Gold Glove Award (updated)

A dip in defensive metrics may have denied Manny Machado a third Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Machado lost out to the Rays' Evan Longoria tonight among American League third basemen, with the announcement coming via ESPN. The Indians' JosÃ© RamÃrez also was a finalist. Gold Gloves were delivered to Machado in 2013 - the same year that he won the Platinum Glove as best overall defensive player - and 2015. The pattern of winning every other year, as brief as it was, ended tonight. Machado...

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Because You Asked - "The Secret of the Ooze"

November 07, 2017, 2:34pm

Orioles

Because You Asked - "The Secret of the Ooze"

With a break in the awards shows - the Silver Sluggers are announced on Thursday and the Wilson Defensive Players of the Year on Friday - it's a convenient time to rummage through the ol' mailbag again and delve into the duplicates. You ask and I answer. Someone else asks and I answer again. And the dance continues until my feet swell. I skipped the ones asking, "Who exactly will the Orioles sign this winter?" I already feel pretty useless. Let's not crush my spirit completely. Otherwise,...

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Interest in Cashner and Vargas, Wynns, Gold Gloves and more

November 06, 2017, 2:17pm

Orioles

Interest in Cashner and Vargas, Wynns, Gold Gloves and more

Though the Orioles aren't offering up names of pitchers who are targeted in free agency, there's definite interest in Andrew Cashner and left-hander Jason Vargas to plug holes in a rotation with only two returning starters. MLBTradeRumors.com predicted that Cashner will receive a two-year, $20 million contract from the Athletics. Past injuries and a decrease in fastball velocity are marks against him, and he's a pitch-to-contact guy, while the Orioles could use the strikeouts. He averaged...

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Trey Mancini a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year (updated)

November 06, 2017, 1:08pm

Orioles

Trey Mancini a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year (updated)

With Aaron Judge a lock to be named American League Rookie of the Year, cracking the top three finalists can be viewed as a nice consolation prize. Trey Mancini will take it. Mancini, Judge and Red Sox's outfielder Andrew Benintendi were revealed as finalists tonight on MLB Network. The winner will be announced on Nov. 13. Judge, the Yankees' baseball-crushing right fielder, should gather all of the first-place votes from members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Benintendi...

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Award finalists revealed tonight

November 05, 2017, 5:37pm

Orioles

The Orioles are supposed to find out by 5 p.m. today whether catcher Welington Castillo will exercise or decline his $7 million option for next season. I checked around yesterday and no one had received official word. The expectation remains that Castillo will enter the free agent market. Meanwhile, the hype machine gets revved up tonight as we enter the awards portion of our offseason. Finalists will be revealed on MLB Network beginning at 6 p.m. for Most Valuable Player, Cy Young Award,...

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Thoughts on coaches returning in 2018

November 04, 2017, 5:35pm

Orioles

Left-hander Tanner Scott allowed one hit and struck out four batters last night over two scoreless innings in the Arizona Fall League's Fall Stars Game. Ryan Mountcastle, batting third and playing third base, doubled and drove in a run. Meanwhile, the news that the Orioles were inviting back all of their coaches for the 2018 season drew mixed reactions on this blog and Twitter, which is exactly what should be expected. You can't get everyone on the same page. That would be boring - and a...

Castillo declines option for 2018 (updated with quote)

November 04, 2017, 9:57am

Orioles

Castillo declines option for 2018 (updated with quote)

Catcher Welington Castillo severed his ties to the Orioles today, as expected, by declining the $7 million player option on his contract. They could reconnect later this winter, with both sides leaving the door open, but it's unlikely to happen. Today was the deadline for Castillo to inform the club, which I'm told he still hadn't done this morning. It seemed to be a formality. Castillo immediately becomes one of the top catchers on the free agent market, rivaled only by Jonathan Lucroy and...

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Werthan walks, my case for Cain and more

November 03, 2017, 5:03pm

Orioles

Werthan walks, my case for Cain and more

The Phillies keep dipping into the Orioles' baseball operations department, mining for talent that again leaves a sizeable void back in Baltimore. Ben Werthan won't return in 2018 as the Orioles' advance scouting coordinator, accepting a job yesterday as Phillies minor league player information coordinator. He held his position in Baltimore for the past six years. Werthan, 31, reported directly to manager Buck Showalter and led the team's advance scouting process. Showalter often raved...