Roch Kubatko

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...

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This, that and the other

January 04, 2017, 1:04pm

Orioles

I wrote last week that Hyun Soo Kim's participation in the World Baseball Classic wasn't a certainty despite his inclusion on South Korea's early roster. Now comes word that manager Kim In-sik is considering possible replacements for Kim and the Rangers' Shin-soo Choo. In a story that appeared yesterday in Yohhap News Agency, Korea's manager indicated that the Orioles could steer Kim away from the WBC because they want the outfielder in camp for the duration of spring training. "It's...

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This, that and the other

January 03, 2017, 5:43pm

Orioles

Another outfielder is off the board while the Orioles try to figure out who's playing right for them on opening day. The Athletics signed Rajai Davis to a one-year deal last night worth a reported $6 million guaranteed. He's no longer an option for the Orioles, who are intrigued by him every winter without reaching an agreement. The Orioles would prefer a left-handed hitter, so Davis wasn't an ideal fit. He's also 36 and owns a career .314 on-base percentage. He's posted an OBP of .306 in...

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Orioles sign Montero to minor league deal

January 03, 2017, 12:16pm

Orioles

The Orioles made one of their depth-type moves today that won't bring much risk and certainly no reward until perhaps later in the summer. Jesus Montero, 27, agreed to a minor league deal, the signing confirmed by executive vice president Dan Duquette. The former elite catching prospect now is a first baseman/designated hitter who's suspended for the first 50 games of 2017 after testing positive for the banned stimulant dimethylbutylamine back in September. Montero appeared in 126 games with...

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This, that and the other

January 02, 2017, 5:09pm

Orioles

The new year began with another report that the Orioles are interested in re-signing designated hitter Pedro Alvarez. It still holds true. They've been open to the idea since he hit the free agent market. However, as I've written, he could be the type of late signing that brought him to Baltimore last spring and has become executive vice president Dan Duquette's signature move. Signing Alvarez would be a clear signal that the Orioles have moved away from Mark Trumbo unless they've suddenly...

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Making up resolutions for the Orioles

December 31, 2016, 4:43am

Orioles

I've never been a stickler for New Year's resolutions, mainly because I break them like crystal speed bumps. Work out more, work out less, eat healthier, worry less, stop complaining, start appreciating, read more books, book more trips that don't include a seventh-inning stretch. I don't want to be held accountable, but I'm willing to be held if I become emotional. Anyway, let's play around with a few resolutions related to the Orioles. Should Adam Jones include one about becoming more...

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Wondering about your worries in a new year

December 30, 2016, 6:28am

Orioles

Wondering about your worries in a new year

Any headaches out there? Anyone popping Tums like they're Skittles? Anyone chugging Pepto like it's your job? I'm kinda/sorta on vacation through Tuesday. I've been scouting the Tampa/St. Petersburg area in case I need to alert the Orioles of any changes before their next series against the Rays. And there's that trip to George Steinbrenner Field when they play the Yankees in spring training. If I'm forced to sleep late or sit by a pool or watch football at a bar, so be it. The laptop is...

Wondering what's next for Kim

December 30, 2016, 6:00am

Orioles

Let me begin by wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year, in case we don't talk at midnight. Please drink responsibly and try to avoid the amateurs on the road. As far as I'm concerned, the ball can drop on 2016 and smash it to pieces. Too many deaths this year. Too many painful reminders that life is precious and can be taken from us in the blink of an eye. We get it. The list of pending free agents following the 2017 season includes outfielder Hyun Soo Kim, often forgotten because we...

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Notes on Givens and Orioles assistant hitting coach

December 29, 2016, 12:58pm

Orioles

Orioles reliever Mychal Givens will attend the team's minicamp next month in Sarasota. He offered confirmation yesterday on MLB Network Radio. Givens isn't a minor leaguer in need of assessment and he isn't recovering from an injury or surgery. However, he was expected to make the drive again from his Tampa home and start the bonding process with new pitching coach Roger McDowell. He also will be reunited with bullpen coach Alan Mills, his former pitching coach at Double-A Bowie. Givens, 26,...

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Orioles primed for more late additions

December 28, 2016, 4:14pm

Orioles

The Orioles are picked to finish below .500 and in fourth or fifth place in their division in various December predictions. They've already lost the offseason, graded poorly for their inability to improve the roster while holes opened up in right field and at designated hitter. And the rotation doesn't measure up, at least on paper. Meanwhile, executive vice president Dan Duquette does his best work after the ball drops in Times Square. And the first ball drops during pitchers fielding...

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This, that and the other

December 27, 2016, 2:35pm

Orioles

Orioles third base coach Bobby Dickerson is enjoying a successful stint managing in one of baseball's winter leagues. Dickerson has been named Manager of the Year in the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League after guiding Gigantes del Cibao to a first-place finish in the six-team division. The news came from the team's Twitter account. Gigantes del Cibao advanced to the round robin playoffs, which began yesterday. Dickerson, 51, turned down several opportunities to manage in the...

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Chris Davis: "I think there's definitely a sense of urgency"

December 23, 2016, 6:53am

Orioles

Chris Davis: "I think there's definitely a sense of urgency"

Everyone has an opinion regarding the wisdom of trading Orioles left-hander Zach Britton before he potentially hits free agency following the 2018 season. Value may never be higher, teams are paying a steep price for closers, the organization needs the prospects that would be included in any return. Also, he's too valuable to part with, the bullpen depth would take a serious hit, the club should be all-in for 2017. Players hear the same rumors and denials. The Orioles don't seem inclined to...

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Wondering about Rickard's place on 2017 roster

December 23, 2016, 6:33am

Orioles

Wondering about Rickard's place on 2017 roster

Could a Rule 5 pick impact a former Rule 5 pick next season? I'm not assuming that Joey Rickard has a spot waiting for him on the 25-man roster. I'll say that he's got a decent chance of making it, but there's no way that he's guaranteed to break camp with the team. Rickard can be optioned next year after shedding his Rule 5 status in 2016. He made it far enough despite not playing after July 20 due to a torn ligament in his right thumb. The Orioles figure to carry another Rule 5 guy after...

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Because You Asked - Home Alone 4

December 23, 2016, 6:23am

Orioles

'Tis the season to be jolly and repetitive. I'm referring, of course, to the hot stove season. Let's gather around it, warm our hands and hearts, and toast our good fortune. A marshmallow on a skewer wouldn't be a bad idea, either. My mailbag is the gift that keeps on giving. Sort of like the Samos burps after the tzatziki and hummus. And I'm not complaining. Fans ask for updates and opinions. Other fans ask for the same updates and opinions. Some are friendlier than others. The fans, not...

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Orioles continuing efforts to improve OBP

December 23, 2016, 6:15am

Orioles

How important is it for the Orioles to improve their on-base percentage? Enough so that players talk about it, how wins would come more easily with a more versatile lineup. They manage fine without one, of course. This team has made the playoffs three of the past five seasons while posting the following on-base percentages: 2012: .311 2013: .313 2014: .311 2015: .307 2016: .317 The Red Sox won the American League East this year and they led the majors with a .348 OBP. The Cubs placed second at...

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Duquette: "Still looking for opportunities to build the club"

December 22, 2016, 12:55pm

Orioles

Duquette: "Still looking for opportunities to build the club"

The Orioles maintained interest in free agent outfielder Ben Revere this winter, engaging again in talks with his representative. However, there doesn't appear to be a financial fit and Revere is expected to sign with another team - perhaps as early as today. The Nationals non-tendered Revere after he batted .217/.260/.300 in 103 games, but he hit .306/.342/.377 in 2015 with the Phillies and Blue Jays. A strained oblique in April pretty much ruined his final season in D.C. Revere, 28, bats...

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Challenges of an early lineup and the need for a left-handed bat

December 21, 2016, 11:18am

Orioles

Challenges of an early lineup and the need for a left-handed bat

The Orioles still have lots of work to do as the holidays approach, which doesn't qualify as breaking news. It's more of an observation. They found a starting catcher, signing Welington Castillo to a one-year deal with a player option for 2018. But they're unsettled in right field and at designated hitter, positioned with fallback options, and continue to seek another reliever despite having an abundance of arms and an extra starter who could move to the bullpen. The latest reminder, not...

Does Schoop stay at second base?

December 20, 2016, 3:06pm

Orioles

What's the easiest way to stir up fans and a debate? Suggest that the Orioles should consider trading third baseman Manny Machado and closer Zach Britton before they hit free agency in the winter of 2018. ESPN's Buster Olney is the latest to venture into sensitive territory with Monday's column that focused on Machado and how the Orioles' window of opportunity to extend him is slamming shut. Here's the reality: Executive vice president Dan Duquette refuses to entertain the idea. He's made...

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Wasdin expected to join Orioles minor league staff

December 20, 2016, 10:56am

Orioles

The Orioles are leaning toward hiring John Wasdin as their minor league pitching coordinator, according to sources. I'm making an assumption on the title, but Wasdin appears to be their choice. Wasdin, 44, would replace Rick Peterson, who was hired in January 2012 as director of pitching development. He previously served as pitching coach of the Double-A Midland Rockhounds in the Athletics organization. The Rockhounds have won three straight Texas League championships. In 12 major league...