Roch Kubatko

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...

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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...