Decision pending on Harvey's role to begin 2018 season

Decision pending on Harvey's role to begin 2018 season
If the Orioles continue to resist trading one of their top relievers, and more phone calls will roll in with clubs viewing them as having a surplus, they're going to break camp next spring with a bullpen that includes closer Zach Britton, Brad Brach, Darren O'Day, Mychal Givens and Richard Bleier. The number of relievers can't be pinpointed as long as there's the possibility of an adjusted early rotation and bench. The Orioles won't necessarily begin with the standard five starters, seven...

Jones on young outfielders, E-Rod surgery, Reimold news

Jones on young outfielders, E-Rod surgery, Reimold news
The Orioles aren't in a position to make significant changes to their lineup next season with the bulk of their primary starters back in uniform. The infield appears to be set and they easily could turn over the catching duties to Caleb Joseph and rookie Chance Sisco if Welington Castillo exercises his $7 million option. Castillo is expected to test free agency. That's the industry buzz. The early outfield speculation puts Trey Mancini in left field, Adam Jones in center and Austin Hays in...

Various improvements needed from these six Orioles

Various improvements needed from these six Orioles
The Orioles will seek outside help to avoid another last-place finish, but they also hope that improvement comes from within, that various shortcomings have a short shelf live. Here are a few that come to mind. I'll update the list as the offseason rolls along: Kevin Gausman needs two good halves In the same season. It's an important qualifier. Gausman flashes the ace material after the break. He registered a 3.10 ERA in the second half in 2016, going 4-2 with a 2.45 ERA in six August starts,...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Four teams have managerial vacancies and none of them are expected to interview Orioles bench coach John Russell. Lots of names are surfacing as candidates for jobs with the Red Sox, Tigers, Mets and Phillies. Alex Cora is a popular one. It seems like only a matter of time before he gets an opportunity. Meanwhile, Russell never seems to be given consideration despite annual endorsements from Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Russell spent three seasons as Pirates manager from 2008-2010 and his...

Still waiting on decision regarding Orioles coaching staff

Still waiting on decision regarding Orioles coaching staff
The Orioles apparently haven't made a final decision on their coaching staff for next season. There's been no confirmation on returns or changes. The situation needs to be resolved soon with contracts expiring at the end of the month. Then again, the Orioles have been known to move slowly on such matters. No one claims that Maryland is all about crab cakes, football and quick resolutions. Manager Buck Showalter has stated that he wants everyone back and he passionately defends first-year...

Because You Asked - "The Cradle of Life"

Because You Asked - "The Cradle of Life"
I'm opening the offseason mailbag and sorting the questions according to how often they've been repeated to me. "A lot" goes in the pile to my left. "A heck of a lot" goes to my right. I can't get to all of them this morning, but it's a long offseason. There will be other days and more sequels. I'm running out of titles. All nominations are welcome. Just know that "Electric Boogaloo" is off the board. I used that one a few years ago. How can the Orioles improve their rotation if they...

Questions regarding Beckham, Wright, Sisco and Castro

Questions regarding Beckham, Wright, Sisco and Castro
A team that loses 19 of its final 23 games to finish in last place, and has 10 potential free agents and a handful of stars entering the final year of their contracts, is bound to be faced with plenty of questions. They come in all shapes and sizes. The questions and the players. Let's tackle a few of them this morning. The questions, not the players. Is Tim Beckham a leadoff hitter? The Orioles opened the season with Seth Smith batting first, his career .344 on-base percentage making him the...

Information on spring training report dates and home games

Information on spring training report dates and home games
The Orioles have announced their spring training report dates and released the home portion of their Grapefruit League schedule. Pitchers and catchers must report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota by Feb. 13, though they routinely arrive earlier. The full-squad report date is set for Feb. 18. Ten different teams will provide the opposition on the 16-game home schedule, beginning with the Rays on Feb. 23 at 1:05 p.m. The Orioles finish the Sarasota portion with a March 24 game versus...

Santander and early talk about the bench

Santander and early talk about the bench
If the Orioles want to provide more rest for some of their veteran players next season, they could use better options on the bench. If they intend to keep Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander, it's obviously going to influence the composition of their bench. It shouldn't be hard to follow along. Santander must spend the first 44 days of the season on the active roster before the Orioles can option him to Triple-A Norfolk without first running him through waivers and offering him back to the Indians....

What's needed from Harvey, Sedlock, Akin and Lee

What's needed from Harvey, Sedlock, Akin and Lee
We can spend countless hours in the offseason studying the list of free agent pitchers who are realistic targets for the Orioles and potential upgrades available in trades, but never wander too far from home. You know how this club loves to stay in-house. The Orioles can't rely on the organization's arms to solve all of their pitching problems. Rolling the same dice over and over is too big of a gamble for a team that set a franchise record for worst rotation ERA at 5.70. However, the...

Notes on Schoop, arbitation projections, Turner and Wieters

Notes on Schoop, arbitation projections, Turner and Wieters
More recognition has come to Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop. He can't avoid it. A breakthrough season tends to attract the attention. Schoop learned yesterday that he's the Orioles' nominee for the 2017 Hank Aaron Award, presented to the top offensive performer in each league. The award was established in 1999. The Red Sox's David Ortiz and Cubs' Kris Bryant won it last year. Schoop appeared in 160 games this season and batted .293/.338/.503 with 35 doubles, 32 home runs and 105...

Talking about Tillman

Talking about Tillman
If I decide to rank the frequency of certain questions directed at me, especially in radio interviews, anything pertaining to Chris Tillman is bound to be near the top of the list. What happened to Tillman? What was wrong with Tillman? I can offer theories and repeat how Tillman kept insisting that the condition of his right shoulder wasn't an issue. He was fine physically. It seemed to be more mechanical. If it happened to be something simple, Tillman probably would have been able to correct...

Taking the rotation for another spin

Taking the rotation for another spin
While waiting to find out which playoff games are airing on Animal Planet and Cartoon Network ... We can spend the bulk of the winter talking about the Orioles rotation and how they can find upgrades without breaking the bank or trading away every prospect in the farm system. Spoiler alert: There are no easy answers. They really could use a proven ace who doesn't come with disclaimers such as, "Needs to take the next step." But can anyone reasonably expect them to get into a bidding war for...

Talking about defense, RISP, averages vs. lefties and more

Talking about defense, RISP, averages vs. lefties and more
Manager Buck Showalter has expressed concern over the Orioles' defensive decline and it will be addressed in the offseason and spring training. I'm not sure how the roster can be adjusted with so many positions appearing to be set. Adam Jones has graded poorly in center field if you peruse the defensive metrics - his ultimate zone rating (UZR) the past two seasons is -10.1 and -13.3 - but I haven't been given any indication that he could move to a corner spot. Not yet, anyway. Trey Mancini...

Flaherty on free agency: "I have a lot of loyalty to this team"

Flaherty on free agency: "I have a lot of loyalty to this team"
If anyone needs further proof that time passes quickly, consider that Orioles utility infielder Ryan Flaherty is entering free agency. The same Ryan Flaherty who joined the Orioles as a Rule 5 pick at the 2011 Winter Meetings in Dallas. One month after they hired Dan Duquette as executive vice president of baseball operations. The Orioles didn't make a big splash at the meetings. They selected Flaherty and acquired left-hander Dana Eveland from the Dodgers for minor league outfielder Tyler...

Duquette on "stand-up guys" Hardy and Tillman

Duquette on "stand-up guys" Hardy and Tillman
As Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met with the beat crew Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field, a variety of questions fielded inside the Rays public relations office in the back of the press box, he broke away from a particular topic to pay tribute to two pending free agents. Two players who have been instrumental in the franchise's climb from 14 consecutive losing seasons to three playoff appearances in six years. Shortstop J.J. Hardy knows that the Orioles aren't picking up...

Davis wants entire coaching staff to return in 2018

Davis wants entire coaching staff to return in 2018
Coaching vacancies in baseball are opening up at a rapid pace, with a handful of teams already making changes before their seasons are cold. According to various reports, the Cardinals need a pitching coach, the Royals need a pitching coach and bench coach, the Phillies need a manager who's likely to make wholesale changes to the staff, the Mets need a manager and pitching coach with more changes perhaps forthcoming, and the Mariners rearranged their staff like furniture. And that's just off...

O'Day to receive Bob Feller Act of Valor Award

O'Day to receive Bob Feller Act of Valor Award
Orioles reliever Darren O'Day has been selected as one of the six recipients of the 2017 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award. O'Day is joined by Tom Seaver, Chief Petty Officer Edmundo Brantes, Training Support Center Great Lakes, Unmanned Patrol Squadron ONE NINE (VUP-19) and Staff Sergeant Adam Plambeck. The award is given each year to a player who reflects the values, integrity and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller possessed. Other nominees included the Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia,...

Clearing payroll for pitching and more on Bancells' retirement

Clearing payroll for pitching and more on Bancells' retirement
The Orioles will head into the offseason with seven confirmed free agents, two players with 2018 team options in their contracts that likely will be turned into buyouts and a catcher who holds a player option. There's a significant amount of payroll that can be shed while the Orioles attempt to reload, as executive vice president Dan Duqeutte termed it before the final game. "We're going to have to go out and find some pitching," he said. "We do have a number of players that have played...

What went wrong in 2017

What went wrong in 2017
TAMPA - Let the offseason begin. There will be a quiet period for the Orioles while the playoffs unfold. Teams are discouraged from making any major announcements or moves. And yes, I just teed up a few of you jokesters. You're welcome. Today is a time for reflection unless the images are too disturbing. Images of the No. 1 starter having a sore shoulder, losing his spot in the rotation and posting a 7.84 ERA and 1.892 WHIP. Of the closer going on the disabled list twice and being shut down in...