Roch Kubatko

Updates on salary exchanges, Trumbo and Rickard

January 12, 2017, 4:46pm

Orioles

Updates on salary exchanges, Trumbo and Rickard

Today marks the deadline for teams and players to exchange salary figures before attempting to work out agreements and avoid the messy hearing process. The deadline is 1 p.m., so you won't be left hanging all day. The Orioles could announce a bunch of signings later this afternoon. It's been known to happen. Last year, they agreed to terms with eight of their 10 players before figures were swapped. I joke every year about the media's obsession over publishing the exchanged figures. I doubt...

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Flaherty agrees to terms on 2017 contract (also McFarland)

January 12, 2017, 3:04pm

Orioles

Flaherty agrees to terms on 2017 contract (also McFarland)

The Orioles have reached agreement with utility infielder Ryan Flaherty on a contract for 2017, avoiding the possibility of going to an arbitration hearing. Flaherty signed for $1.8 million, according to a source. The deal also includes incentives. MLBTradeRumors.com projected that Flaherty would earn $1.7 million. He made $1.5 million last season and was deemed a non-tender candidate. The Orioles value Flaherty's defensive versatility. He's played every position except center field and...

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Tillman doesn't figure to be flustered by pending free agency

January 11, 2017, 2:02pm

Orioles

Tillman doesn't figure to be flustered by pending free agency

One of the lingering images from this week's minicamp that concluded yesterday was pitcher Chris Tillman wandering around the back fields with a beard that would make him a perfect cast member on "Duck Dynasty." There was no masking how much Tillman enjoyed watching the two days of bullpen sessions. He stood off to the side and studied each pitcher and talked baseball with anyone who ventured over to him. On the second morning, he sought out reliever Mychal Givens for a chat about spring...

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Wrapping up the final day of minicamp (with pictures and video)

January 11, 2017, 8:20am

Orioles

Wrapping up the final day of minicamp (with pictures and video)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jesus Liranzo, Brian Gonzalez and Garrett Cleavinger completed their bullpen sessions this morning. Liranzo had the area to himself after Gonzalez and Cleavinger threw off adjoining mounds. Chris Tillman stuck around again to watch the sessions after working out earlier in the day. This guy is a leader on the pitching staff and it shows. The beard is an added bonus. "He likes baseball," said manager Buck Showalter. "There's a confidence in what he can do. He doesn't look...

Kim reportedly off WBC roster, Liranzo on health and progress

January 11, 2017, 5:17am

Orioles

Kim reportedly off WBC roster, Liranzo on health and progress

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are down to four players participating in the World Baseball Classic. Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim has declined an offer to join South Korea's team, according to a report from the Yonhap News Agency. Kim was on the preliminary roster. The report includes the following note on Kim: "Kim, entering his second big league season, told the manager a few hours after the team meeting that he wouldn't be available for the WBC. Kim was a part-time player as a rookie last year...

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Notes on minicamp and Brian Gonzalez's progress

January 10, 2017, 4:18pm

Orioles

Notes on minicamp and Brian Gonzalez's progress

SARASOTA, Fla. - We've reached the final day of the Orioles' minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. A few more bullpen sessions, maybe a few more meetings between the pitchers and coaches Roger McDowell and Alan Mills, followed by flights back home later in the afternoon. The Orioles apparently will leave without signing any new players. No surprises like Delmon Young and Alfredo Aceves. Not even a tryout for a former pitcher hoping to land a minor league deal. This isn't to suggest that...

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O's keeping Mountcastle on shortstop throwing program

January 10, 2017, 10:19am

Orioles

O's keeping Mountcastle on shortstop throwing program

SARASOTA, Fla. - The three-day minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex has enabled the Orioles to offer a unique experience to one of their prospects: a throwing program for an infielder. It isn't routine in baseball. Such programs usually are associated with pitchers. But the Orioles are providing one to Single-A Delmarva shortstop Ryan Mountcastle, the 36th overall pick in the 2015 draft who's trying to stay at his current position. Mountcastle wants to play shortstop, but there are...

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Lots more from the second day of minicamp

January 10, 2017, 9:47am

Orioles

Lots more from the second day of minicamp

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jesus Liranzo, added to the 40-man roster to protect him in the Rule 5 draft, will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday before the Orioles end their latest minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Manager Buck Showalter said he's "intrigued" by left-hander John Means, who threw today. Means, 23, is an 11th-round pick in 2014 out of West Virginia who went 5-0 with a 1.80 ERA in nine starts at Single-A Frederick and 4-8 with a 4.69 ERA in 18 starts with Bowie. "Our people...

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Branden Kline gets back on the mound (with pictures and videos)

January 10, 2017, 6:34am

Orioles

Branden Kline gets back on the mound (with pictures and videos)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The second day of minicamp held more importance for Branden Kline than perhaps anyone else in attendance. Kline, 25, threw off a bullpen mound this morning, another important step in his recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in October 2015. Dr. James Andrews handled the procedure in Florida. Jason Garcia joined Kline for the first round. Others followed while manager Buck Showalter, bench coach John Russell, pitching coach Roger McDowell and bullpen...

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Chris Lee on his health, Mychal Givens on pitching in WBC

January 10, 2017, 5:06am

Orioles

Chris Lee on his health, Mychal Givens on pitching in WBC

SARASOTA, Fla. - The second day of Orioles minicamp this morning will include multiple bullpen sessions. Pitchers scheduled to throw include Jason Garcia, Mike Wright, Logan Verrett, Joe Gunkel, Jesus Liranzo, Stefan Crichton, John Means and Jimmy Yacabonis. Chris Lee isn't ready to step on a mound, but it could happen within the next two weeks. Lee threw off flat ground yesterday while continuing his recovery from a lat injury that limited him to eight appearances and only seven starts at...

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Notes on Drake, bullpen, Trumbo, Berry and Wright

January 09, 2017, 2:52pm

Orioles

Notes on Drake, bullpen, Trumbo, Berry and Wright

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Oliver Drake has his locker set up inside the home clubhouse at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He isn't attending minicamp, but it's waiting for him next month as pitchers and catchers report to spring training. The Orioles currently appear to have two openings in their bullpen and Drake may be given a shot to occupy one of them. It will be his most important camp, with the former 43rd round pick out of the Naval Academy now out of minor league options. Drake turns 30...

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Verrett on his return to the Orioles

January 09, 2017, 9:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - After going through some morning stretching exercises on the first day of minicamp, Orioles pitcher Logan Verrett paired up with Jason Garcia for a game of catch on the replica Camden Yards field. Reunited Rule 5 picks getting reacquainted. The Orioles kept Garcia in the spring of 2015 and tried to pass Verrett through waivers, but the Rangers put in a claim. Verrett ended up back with the Mets, who traded him to the Orioles on Nov. 30 for cash considerations. "I think I got...

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A few notes from the first day of minicamp

January 09, 2017, 8:53am

Orioles

A few notes from the first day of minicamp

SARASOTA, Fla. - New Orioles minor league pitching coordinator John Wasdin is at minicamp this week. The club hasn't announced his hiring, but he's assisting with the workouts at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. No one threw in the bullpen today, but there will be numerous sessions on Tuesday. Outfielder Joey Rickard and catcher Chance Sisco are working out in California with vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson. Rickard has told the Orioles that his right thumb is much...

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Left field lessons continue for Christian Walker

January 09, 2017, 5:45am

Orioles

Left field lessons continue for Christian Walker

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex includes a morning meeting before the Orioles take the field around 11 a.m. The clubhouse opened to the media for an hour. A few players, including reliever Mychal Givens and outfielders Christian Walker and Henry Urrutia, live in the area and decided to show up despite not receiving a formal invitation. Other players at minicamp include pitchers Mike Wright, Logan Verrett, Chris Lee, Jason Garcia, Brian Gonzalez, Joe...

Trumbo talk, minicamp thoughts and Gausman's shoulder

January 08, 2017, 2:52pm

Orioles

Trumbo talk, minicamp thoughts and Gausman's shoulder

SARASOTA, Fla. - Have the Orioles moved away from free agent slugger Mark Trumbo? We're left again to read between the lines. Executive vice president Dan Duquette stated again yesterday on MLB Network Radio that the club values the draft pick attached to Trumbo if the outfielder signs with another club. He didn't deny during his interview with Jim Bowden and former Orioles executive Jim Duquette that the club offered $52 million over four years. "Well, I don't consider coming back and...

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More thoughts on roster and Bundy's progress

January 07, 2017, 6:33pm

Orioles

More thoughts on roster and Bundy's progress

SARASOTA, Fla. - I remain at a loss trying to figure out the Orioles' next move and their thought process behind it. I'm left to speculate and wait. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said he could sign another outfielder, and the Orioles appear to be focused on a left-handed bat. Seth Smith satisfied a need, but not their craving. A right-handed hitter makes sense to platoon with Smith or Hyun Soo Kim, with Joey Rickard available for the other pairing, unless the Orioles believe that...

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More on Seth Smith and what could come next

January 06, 2017, 6:08pm

Orioles

More on Seth Smith and what could come next

Immediately after the Orioles tweeted the news yesterday that they acquired outfielder Seth Smith from the Mariners for pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations, my first thought turned to how the club made the announcement before it leaked to the media. When does this happen anymore? There also was surprise that the Orioles traded one of their starters this month rather than later in the offseason. The math suggested that it eventually would happen, especially with the money committed...

Hearing from Duquette and Smith after today's trade

January 06, 2017, 12:45pm

Orioles

Hearing from Duquette and Smith after today's trade

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette found his left-handed bat for right field earlier today and there's more work to be done. Another item is crossed off a list that hasn't reached bottom. Duquette acquired Seth Smith from the Mariners for starter Yovani Gallardo and cash. Multiple needs were addressed in the process, but others remain. The approximately $4 million saved could be put toward future transactions. "I think the important thing is that we added a good veteran hitter to...

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Orioles acquire Seth Smith from Mariners for Yovani Gallardo

January 06, 2017, 8:49am

Orioles

The Orioles found their left-handed hitting corner outfielder today without spending in free agency. The club announced that it acquired Seth Smith from the Mariners for pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations. Smith, 34, batted .249/.342/.415 (94-for-378) with 16 home runs and a career-high 63 RBIs over 137 games with the Mariners last season. He hit .326 (28-for-86) with runners in scoring position and was 6-for-11 with the bases loaded. Smith is signed through the 2017 season and is...

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Gausman on wins and losses, Bundy on the cutter/slider

January 05, 2017, 5:04pm

Orioles

Gausman on wins and losses, Bundy on the cutter/slider

If Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman is going to take a significant step toward becoming the staff ace, he probably can do so without the weight of an impressive won-loss record reducing his stride. The stat is largely meaningless, considering how many factors are out of a pitcher's control. But Gausman might enjoy a little more support from his teammates this year. The gesture would be appreciated, even if wins and losses won't define him. Gausman is 23-31 in 95 major league games spread...