Roch Kubatko

Showalter on Machado at shortstop and FanFest absences

January 27, 2018, 8:53am

Orioles

Showalter on Machado at shortstop and FanFest absences

Ending months of speculation over which position Manny Machado will play, Orioles manager Buck Showalter told the media at FanFest this morning that the three-time All-Star - absent from the event - will move to shortstop. There isn't a bigger story here, rivaled only by Machado and Jonathan Schoop staying home. Tim Beckham will play third base, where he's made five major league starts, while Machado returns to his original position. Machado didn't appear at shortstop last summer while J.J....

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Duquette on starting pitching, his contract and more

January 27, 2018, 7:28am

Orioles

Duquette on starting pitching, his contract and more

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, appearing at today's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center, said he's confident that he can add a couple of starting pitchers and is setting March 1 as sort of a deadline to do it. "They're going to need three or four weeks to get ready, so it would be important to get somebody signed up three or four weeks from the start of the season," Duquette said. "So if you work back from the 29th of March, I think March 1 is the date we'd be...

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Machado playing shortstop in 2018 (and other notes)

January 27, 2018, 6:40am

Orioles

Machado playing shortstop in 2018 (and other notes)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that Manny Machado will go into spring training as the starting shortstop and Tim Beckham will play third base. Showalter told the media assembled on the third floor of the Baltimore Convention Center for the annual FanFest. Showalter said the plan could change later, but this is how the players will be positioned. He indicated that Beckham preferred to stay at shortstop, but Machado wanted to move over and it's his natural position. More on that...

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Dickerson on Beckham, Russell on catchers, Coolbaugh on Davis

January 26, 2018, 12:41pm

Orioles

Dickerson on Beckham, Russell on catchers, Coolbaugh on Davis

The doors to the Baltimore Convention Center open this morning at 10 a.m. for season ticket holders attending the annual FanFest event and 11 a.m. for everyone else. Gauging the crowd's mood will be interesting, given the slow offseason and unexpected absences of star players Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop. Along with the anticipated questions about Machado's status on the team - traded or not traded, shortstop or third baseman - executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck...

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Orioles acquire Ã‰ngelb Vielma from Giants

January 26, 2018, 10:57am

Orioles

The Orioles have tossed another candidate into the mix for utility infielder, acquiring Ã‰ngelb Vielma from the Giants this afternoon for a player to be named or cash considerations. The trade won't rock the foundation of the Baltimore Convention Center for Saturday's FanFest event, but they were in the market for a player with Vielma's skill set. Vielma, 23, can play second base, shortstop and third base and he's a switch-hitter. He's also well-traveled, the Orioles marking his fifth...

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Machado and Schoop no longer scheduled for FanFest

January 26, 2018, 6:22am

Orioles

Machado and Schoop no longer scheduled for FanFest

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado won't attend Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center, marking the second time in three years that he's skipped the annual event. The club sent out an email this morning to alert fans who purchased autograph vouchers and offer refunds. Three-fourths of last year's starting infield won't be in Baltimore this weekend. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop also informed the team that he isn't going to attend. First baseman Chris Davis, whose wife,...

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Notes on starting pitching market, contract talks and more

January 25, 2018, 5:13pm

Orioles

Notes on starting pitching market, contract talks and more

As the offseason moves closer toward the date when pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Orioles haven't been able to find starters on the free agent market who are within their price range or don't pose a risk of flunking the physical. I've written that the club expressed concerns over the medicals on multiple starters, further thinning out a crop that doesn't impress beyond the upper tier. They're not in on Yu Darvish or Jake Arrieta and don't expect Alex Cobb or Lance...

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MASN announces seven-game Orioles spring training TV schedule

January 25, 2018, 9:04am

Orioles

You can't wait for Saturday's Orioles FanFest because it helps ward off the winter chill and make baseball season seem just a little closer. (OK, for a few minutes we'll ignore the fact that it's supposed to be in the mid-50s on Saturday, so work with me ...) Well, if you're wondering when you'll actually get to see Orioles baseball on MASN, wonder no more. MASN today announced a seven-game spring training broadcast schedule, starting with their Grapefruit League opener on Friday, Feb. 23...

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Leftovers for breakfast

January 24, 2018, 3:42pm

Orioles

The utility job in Baltimore remains open to a cluster of in-house competitors and the anticipated outsider, the latter's identity remaining a mystery. The Orioles seem to have targeted a specific player. The challenge is getting him under contract. Is it more important than finding three starting pitchers? Not even close. But it's still important. Every team has that guy on its roster. More of them are stressing the expansion of skills to include outfield play, especially if willing to go...

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austin hays buck showalter chris davis donnie hart jimmy yacabonis joey rickard john russell orioles ryan flaherty scott coolbaugh featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles announce plans to expand protective netting

January 24, 2018, 10:53am

Orioles

The Orioles have become the latest team in Major League Baseball to take additional steps toward providing for the safety of its fans. The club announced today that it will expand the protective netting behind home plate at Camden Yards and Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota to reduce the risk of foul balls and spiraling bats reaching the crowd and causing serious injury. Though the netting's dimensions at Camden Yards won't be known until the Orioles complete their work with the design and...

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Bobbleheads, snow globe, puffy vest highlight O's promos

January 24, 2018, 6:26am

Orioles

Bobbleheads, snow globe, puffy vest highlight O's promos

The Orioles announced their list of promotions and special events earlier today and it includes Dylan Bundy and Trey Mancini bobbleheads, a Buck 'Snow'alter snow globe and a retro talking alarm clock. Who can resist? The Birdland Hawaiian Shirt, featuring a new design, also is back for the 2018 season. There will be five T-shirt giveaways, an Orioles lightweight hoodie, puffy vest, floppy hat and cap, and a Mother's Day pashmina scarf and Father's Day neck tie. The first 35,000 fans 15 and...

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Notes on Hardy, Stewart and Hays

January 23, 2018, 12:05pm

Orioles

While taking the high road again after my latest Oscar snub ... As the Orioles keep us waiting on their decision regarding the starting shortstop on opening day - Manny Machado, Tim Beckham or a mystery applicant - J.J. Hardy is working out in Arizona and drawing interest from multiple teams. A typical offseason except for the free agency part. Hardy has played only shortstop and therefore doesn't profile as a utility candidate. He wants to be the primary starter at the position, but also get...

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Orioles add Triple-A Norfolk to exhibition schedule

January 23, 2018, 7:30am

Orioles

The Orioles' exhibition schedule doesn't end on March 25. Only the Grapefruit League portion of it. For the second year in a row, the Orioles will travel to Norfolk for a game against their Triple-A affiliate. The teams will play on March 26 at Harbor Park with first pitch slated for 3:05 p.m. There's always rain in the forecast. It's become a tradition. But don't let the weather dampen your enthusiasm because there's going to be a window and the sides always manage to play. "The Orioles...

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Duquette on negotiations, prospect list (plus other notes)

January 22, 2018, 12:58pm

Orioles

Duquette on negotiations, prospect list (plus other notes)

Only four days remain before the Orioles' annual FanFest event commences without the chance to announce a significant acquisition via free agency or trade. The ticking of the clock grows louder. It can't drown out the angst emanating from a fan base that lost patience shortly after the final out of the 2017 season. Could the team make a move later this week? "I hope so," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "I'm trying, I'm trying. I hope so. "We're still talking to a number of...

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Can Santander's defense keep him in majors?

January 21, 2018, 5:43pm

Orioles

Can Santander's defense keep him in majors?

While the Orioles try to settle on a left-handed hitter to play the outfield, along with other moves required to fill out the roster, they promise not to skimp on the defense. Upgrading it must be part of any plan. The club's reputation for outstanding glovework took another hit last season, and it could influence the decision whether to carry Anthony Santander for the first 44 days until losing his Rule 5 status. Santander must prove capable of playing the outfield. The Orioles like his bat,...

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Could Dyson bring the left-handed bat needed in the outfield?

January 20, 2018, 5:41pm

Orioles

Could Dyson bring the left-handed bat needed in the outfield?

There's a guessing game attached to the bits of information that filter out of the Orioles organization in the winter. We know the areas of need. We just don't always know the players under consideration. Manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette met for more than an hour Thursday and a specific right fielder was a topic of conversation. The name remains a secret. "Dan's already been talking to him about offers and physicals," Showalter said. "We're down the road...

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Showalter nearing confirmation on Machado's 2018 position

January 19, 2018, 11:54am

Orioles

Showalter nearing confirmation on Machado's 2018 position

The Orioles may not have a new player to introduce next Saturday at FanFest, though it won't be from a lack of effort. Executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to work the phones. But manager Buck Showalter indicated that a decision on Manny Machado's position could be revealed over the weekend. Take the news where you can find it. Showalter has talked about knowing in his gut whether Machado will stay at third base or move over to shortstop, but he isn't ready to go public with it....

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Orioles sign Perez and Gamboa to minor league deals (updated)

January 19, 2018, 9:59am

Orioles

With depth moves included on the offseason docket, the Orioles are returning catcher Audry Perez and pitcher Eddie Gamboa to the organization. Perez and Gamboa have signed minor league deals, the news coming via the club's Twitter account. The Orioles also announced the signings of infielder Anderson FÃ©liz and outfielder D'Arby Myers that were reported earlier this month. Perez, 29, has spent the past three years in the organization, appearing in 78 and 84 games with Triple-A Norfolk in...

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Showalter on meetings, negotiations, Machado and more

January 18, 2018, 5:34pm

Orioles

Showalter on meetings, negotiations, Machado and more

Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent about an hour yesterday meeting with executive vice president Dan Duquette and also talked to managing partner Peter Angelos before heading back to Dallas this weekend for his grandson's christening. The push continues to locate starting pitching, the primary need by a mile, along with a left-handed hitter, left-handed reliever, utility player and veteran catcher. Lots of teams are laying back and waiting for agents to lower their demands or rival...

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DJ Stewart invited to major league camp (and other notes)

January 18, 2018, 2:27pm

Orioles

DJ Stewart invited to major league camp (and other notes)

Manager Buck Showalter, appearing tonight on the "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan, said Double-A Bowie outfielder DJ Stewart will be in major league camp next month. Stewart will be included on the list of invites. It's a nice reward for Stewart, a first-round pick in 2015 out of Florida State University, after he batted .278/.378/481 with 26 doubles, two triples, 21 home runs and 79 RBIs in 126 games. He also stole 20 bases in 24 attempts. A left-handed hitting corner outfielder...