Roch Kubatko

Donnie Hart and Alan Mills reunited again

November 22, 2016, 1:27pm

Orioles

Donnie Hart and Alan Mills reunited again

In Donnie Hart's world, Alan Mills was destined to join the Orioles coaching staff next season. It couldn't happen any other way. Trace Hart's professional career and you'll run into Mills, his pitching coach every year, beginning with short-season Single-A Aberdeen in 2013. Hart moved up to low Single-A Delmarva in 2014 and Mills was waiting for him. He climbed to Double-A Bowie in 2015 and Mills was waiting for him. They were together for 40 games at Bowie this season before Hart received...

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McDowell on becoming Orioles pitching coach

November 22, 2016, 10:45am

Orioles

New Orioles pitching coach Roger McDowell anticipates a smooth transition for the staff he's inheriting because of his relationship with the man he's replacing. McDowell was close to Dave Wallace, who retired from major league coaching after the season and returned to the Braves organization. "I mentored under Dave Wallace and I also have a very good friendship with Dom Chiti," McDowell said this afternoon in a conference call with the local media. "I learned everything I know about being...

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Orioles add McDowell and Mills to coaching staff

November 22, 2016, 7:47am

Orioles

Bullpen teammates with the 1996 Orioles are reuniting in Baltimore. The Orioles announced today that they've hired Roger McDowell as pitching coach and Alan Mills as bullpen coach. McDowell replaces Dave Wallace, who will serve in an advisory/instructional role with the Braves. Mills replaces Dom Chiti, who will serve as Atlanta's senior director of pitching. McDowell, 55, spent 11 seasons as Braves pitching coach. He previously worked as pitching coach of the Single-A South Georgia Waves in...

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Leftovers for breakfast

November 21, 2016, 4:18pm

Orioles

Not only are the Orioles preparing pay increases for the arbitration-eligible players who will be tendered contracts for 2017, they also are considering contract extensions for part of the group. There's no time like the present. The Orioles failed in the past to reach agreement with pitcher Chris Tillman and third baseman Manny Machado, though talks never reached a point where deals were realistic. That's especially true with Tillman, who made headlines a few springs ago when word broke that...

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Orioles sign David Washington to minor league deal

November 21, 2016, 12:25pm

Orioles

The Orioles added a power bat to their farm system this afternoon. A big guy who hits a lot of home runs, can get on base and also is prone to striking out. David Washington, 26, agreed to a minor league deal and will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk after spending eight seasons in the Cardinals organization. Washington was a 15th-round pick in 2009 out of University City High School in San Diego. He's a career .250/.335/.456 hitter who reached the Triple-A level for the first time this...

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Guerrero, Mora among newcomers on Hall of Fame ballot

November 21, 2016, 8:01am

Orioles

Guerrero, Mora among newcomers on Hall of Fame ballot

Ten former Orioles are included on the latest Hall of Fame ballot released today by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The most prestigious newcomers are Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez and Ivan Rodriguez. Guerrero concluded his 16-year career with the Orioles in 2011, batting .290/.317/.416 with 30 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 145 games. The 13 home runs were his lowest total since he hit 11 in 90 games with the Expos in 1997. Other former Orioles include first-timers...

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Mancini as possible replacement for Trumbo (and other notes)

November 20, 2016, 12:04pm

Orioles

Mancini as possible replacement for Trumbo (and other notes)

Though the Orioles don't currently project Trey Mancini as an outfielder, they continue to tie him to Mark Trumbo and the veteran's potential departure in free agency. I've talked to multiple people who bring up Mancini's name as a possible replacement for Trumbo. It's a clear indication that Mancini is expected to break camp with the team next spring in whatever role. "I can tell you that (Trumbo) had a great year, obviously. He led the league in home runs and we like what he did,"...

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Orioles aren't inclined to subtract from their bullpen

November 19, 2016, 9:41am

Orioles

One question hanging over the Orioles relates to their bullpen and whether they should deal from their strength. Executive vice president Dan Duquette is adamant that the Orioles aren't trading closer Zach Britton. However, what about a team that wants Brad Brach or Mychal Givens, perhaps viewing them as potential ninth inning specialists? The Orioles have holes to fill in right field and at designated hitter. They want a veteran catcher to improve their depth. They're considering a...

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A roster exclusion, coaching update and Duquette quotes

November 18, 2016, 5:11pm

Orioles

A roster exclusion, coaching update and Duquette quotes

The Orioles decided not to protect Triple-A outfielder Mike Yastrzemski in the Rule 5 draft, failing to place him on the 40-man roster. Plenty of scouts project Yastrzemski, 26, as a possible fourth outfielder in the majors. The Orioles are hoping he stays in the organization, gets healthy and improves dramatically on his 2016 season. The grandson of Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski batted .221/.312/.369 in 94 games at Triple-A Norfolk. Health issues apparently sabotaged his season. "Actually,...

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More from Duquette and the Rule 5 roster deadline

November 17, 2016, 7:00pm

Orioles

More from Duquette and the Rule 5 roster deadline

Executive vice president Dan Duquette joked last night at the open of the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan that he'd reveal the Orioles' offseason plans. "Yeah, I can tell you what we're going to do," he said. "We're going to have another good team next year like we do every year." You're not getting any specifics on trade or free agent discussions. This will have to suffice. Duquette mentioned again that he's pleased with the depth of the pitching staff "and a little bit more...

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MVP results and hot stove nuggets

November 17, 2016, 2:18pm

Orioles

The Orioles were represented in the Most Valuable Player voting in the American League despite not having a finalist. Third baseman Manny Machado finished in fifth place and closer Zach Britton was 11th, with the Baseball Writers' Association of America releasing the results tonight on MLB Network. Angels outfielder Mike Trout placed first with 356 points, followed by Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts with 311 and Astros second baseman Jose Altuve with 227. Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson...

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Tonight's MVP, the "Hot Stove Show" and AFL notes

November 16, 2016, 3:09pm

Orioles

Tonight's MVP, the "Hot Stove Show" and AFL notes

The Baseball Writers' Association of America has reached the end of its awards season tonight with ballots revealed for Most Valuable Player in both leagues. The Orioles don't have a dog in the fight, but we'll find out where third baseman Manny Machado placed in the voting. The final three is comprised of the Astros' Jose Altuve, the Red Sox's Mookie Betts and the Angels' Mike Trout. Machado wasn't cracking this group. Will closer Zach Britton get some love? He finished fourth in Cy...

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Britton finishes fourth in AL Cy Young balloting

November 16, 2016, 2:12pm

Orioles

Britton finishes fourth in AL Cy Young balloting

If it's any consolation for Orioles closer Zach Britton, he received more first-place votes than finalist Corey Kluber for the American League Cy Young Award. The Baseball Writers' Association of America has presented Red Sox's right-hander Rick Porcello with the award, the announcement coming tonight on MLB Network. Porcello had 137 points. The Tigers' Justin Verlander was runner-up with 132 points and the Indians' Kluber was third with 98. A first-place vote is worth seven points, second...

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Orioles add Tides to exhibition schedule

November 16, 2016, 9:24am

Orioles

The Orioles are extending their 2017 exhibition schedule beyond the final Grapefruit League game in Sarasota. Triple-A Norfolk and the Orioles announced this afternoon that the teams will play a March 31 game at Harbor Park. The first pitch is slated for 3:05 p.m. This will be the Orioles' fifth appearance in Norfolk since the Tides became the Triple-A affiliate in 2007. Harbor Park served as host for exhibition games between the Orioles and Nationals in 2007 and 2009, and the Orioles played...

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Tonight's pitching award and more from Aubrey Huff

November 15, 2016, 2:02pm

Orioles

Tonight's pitching award and more from Aubrey Huff

The Cy Young Award winners will be revealed tonight on MLB Network, and my only interest is checking how many votes were given to Orioles closer Zach Britton. The Baseball Writers' Association of America requires each ballot to contain five pitchers and I'm wondering how many didn't include Britton. The finalists are the Red Sox's Rick Porcello, the Indians' Corey Kluber and the Tigers' Justin Verlander. I had a vote and will reveal it after a winner is declared. Some members of the media...

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Showalter finishes third in AL Manager of the Year voting

November 15, 2016, 1:35pm

Orioles

Showalter finishes third in AL Manager of the Year voting

Buck Showalter failed to win his fourth Manager of the Year Award, with the 2016 American League honor going to the Indians' Terry Francona. Showalter finished in third place with 44 votes. Francona received 128 and runner up Jeff Banister of the Rangers received 64. Showalter garnered two first-place votes, compared to 22 for Francona and four for Banister. The Red Sox's John Farrell, who finished fourth, also had two first-place votes and 28 total. The Yankees' Joe Girardi (five votes) was...

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Aubrey Huff on his new book and the issues that almost killed him

November 14, 2016, 1:00pm

Orioles

Aubrey Huff on his new book and the issues that almost killed him

Aubrey Huff hadn't reached rock bottom during a succession of losing seasons with the Rays and Orioles. He hadn't touched down through his drug addiction and divorce proceedings. There was only the clawing that hastens a man's descent. It wasn't until Huff retreated to his closet again, dropped to his knees and put a gun to his head that he had truly gotten there. Orioles manager Buck Showalter often punctuates an amusing anecdote by saying, "It will all be in the book one day." Huff, the...

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Mark Trumbo rejects Orioles' qualifying offer

November 14, 2016, 8:40am

Orioles

Outfielder Mark Trumbo figures to draw significant interest in the free agent market and is ready to test it. Trumbo has rejected the Orioles' qualifying offer, walking away from a guaranteed $17.2 million in exchange for longer-term security. The Orioles want to re-sign Trumbo and are prepared to join the bidding after he led the majors with 47 home runs. They'd prefer to use him primarily as the designated hitter and find a better defender in right field. If Trumbo signs with another team,...

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Trumbo's decision and Rookie of the Year voting

November 13, 2016, 8:32am

Orioles

Trumbo's decision and Rookie of the Year voting

The Orioles will know by 5 p.m. today whether outfielder Mark Trumbo is accepting or declining their qualifying offer. I'd still be shocked if Trumbo took the $17.2 million and re-entered the free agent market next winter. His value may never be higher after he led the majors with 47 home runs. The Blue Jays signed Kendrys Morales for $33 million over three years. What's Trumbo worth? Looks like one heck of a deal for the Jays. The only way it makes sense for Trumbo to take the offer is if he...

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More on changes in Orioles farm system

November 12, 2016, 6:48pm

Orioles

The Orioles are busy without actually making any big moves or announcements. Besides executive vice president Dan Duquette's work at the general managers meetings, intended again to lay the groundwork for deals and agreements at the Winter Meetings, and the ongoing interviews for pitching and bullpen coach, the Orioles are making a few changes in their farm system. I reported yesterday that Rick Peterson was out as director of pitching development. The Orioles want to go in another direction,...