Roch Kubatko

The day Justin Turner was an Orioles hero

October 20, 2016, 7:19am

Orioles

Justin Turner would be the ideal utility player and a perfect fit for the Orioles if he hadn't outgrown the role. He plays every infield position and even has one inning of experience in left field. His power developed late. He's a great teammate and is willing to do whatever is asked of him. But the utility train has left the station. Turner is one of the more attractive pending free agents on the market and his timing is impeccable with career highs across the board: 622 plate appearances,...

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This, that and the other

October 19, 2016, 2:35pm

Orioles

With Joey Rickard no longer holding Rule 5 status, the Orioles have the option of sending him to the minors next season. A player's options give a team options. Funny how that works. Whether he breaks camp with the Orioles depends on a number of factors, including performance and moves made over the winter related to the outfield. Spending a rookie season in the majors as a Rule 5 pick doesn't guarantee a return visit or lengthy stay the following year. Pitcher Jason Garcia is one...

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Should Orioles try to steal more wins?

October 18, 2016, 6:15pm

Orioles

The Orioles stole 19 bases this season, the lowest total in club history. Which brings us to today's debate, and one that won't be parodied on SNL. Does it matter? Manager Buck Showalter wants a new leadoff hitter. Executive vice president Dan Duquette again will place emphasis on improving the team's on-base percentage, which plummeted in the second half. But what about the stolen bases? Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard led the Orioles with four steals and he didn't play after July 20. Michael...

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Possible activity on the 40-man roster

October 17, 2016, 4:04pm

Orioles

The Orioles' 40-man roster currently is full, which is why infielder Paul Janish was designated for assignment when they claimed left-hander Jed Bradley off waivers from the Braves. But it obviously won't stay that way. Players will be removed after they become free agents. Teams have five days after the World Series to negotiate with their own guys before the market opens for business. The Orioles have nine pending free agents, including Steve Pearce, who was moved to the 60-day disabled...

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Wondering about the roster

October 16, 2016, 5:17pm

Orioles

We're still in the quiet period for non-playoff teams, except for the random low-level signing. The Orioles are still riding the momentum from the Jed Bradley waiver claim. The lineup appears to be mostly set with Hyun Soo Kim in left field, Adam Jones in center, Manny Machado at third base, J.J. Hardy at shortstop, Jonathan Schoop at second base and Chris Davis at first. Mark Trumbo's departure via free agency would leave an opening in right field, Matt Wieters' departure would leave an...

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Would the Orioles trade Britton? (and other notes)

October 15, 2016, 6:52pm

Orioles

We covered the usual number of topics yesterday on "Wall to Wall Baseball" on MASN, which meant we were all over the map. Not just the majors. I'm sticking with baseball this morning. A viewer asked whether the Orioles should consider trading Zach Britton, enabling them to fill multiple needs. I watch teams in the playoffs having closer issues and think the Orioles should lock up Britton. Extend him or lock him in a room so he can't get away. Whatever it takes to keep him in the...

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Wondering about the rotation

October 14, 2016, 5:29pm

Orioles

The Orioles remain in the market for a starting pitcher, working the same aisles every winter. They aren't expected to spend big beyond new deals for their arbitration-eligible players. They'd bypass the pricey pitchers anyway. They want healthy arms, but they're not going to Whole Foods. The free agent market isn't appetizing to everyone. Check it out, courtesy of MLBTradeRumors.com: Henderson Alvarez (27) Brett Anderson (29) Clay Buchholz (32) - $13.5MM club option with a $500K buyout...

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Because You Asked - Next Friday

October 13, 2016, 7:23pm

Orioles

The Orioles' season is over, a walk-off home run pushing them out the playoff door, but the repetitive questions keep coming to me. I refuse to walk away from them. You ask, I answer. You ask again, I answer again. The sarcasm comes at no additional cost. All in good fun, of course. It's my spin on the traditional mailbag. The biggest challenge is not repeating a movie sequel in the title. I've done so many of them. And you really can't top "Electric Boogaloo." I peaked too soon. Do you...

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Janish outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, elects free agency

October 13, 2016, 9:46am

Orioles

Janish outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, elects free agency

Update: The Orioles just announced that infielder Paul Janish elected free agency after passing through waivers. He refused an outright assignment and is free to sign with any team. Janish, who turned 34 yesterday, is hoping that the Orioles retain interest in him, but he may as well check the market. Janish has the right to refuse the assignment based on a previous outright. Manager Buck Showalter is a huge supporter of Janish, placing great value on the infielder's defense at shortstop and...

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Slow starters and catching candidates

October 12, 2016, 4:16pm

Orioles

Want the Orioles to be better in 2017? It may prove beneficial to stop being so slow out of the gate. It appeared at times that the opponent was taking an early lead while the Orioles still were lined up for the anthem. Hands over hearts while fans covered their eyes. The Orioles were outscored 107-86 in the first inning this season, the largest margin of any frame. They were outscored 100-80 in the sixth, but the instant deficits tend to be more magnified, especially with the Orioles...

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This, that and the other

October 11, 2016, 6:43pm

Orioles

Tanner Scott, one of the more intriguing pitching prospects in the Orioles' system, got the full attention of scouts last year in the Arizona Fall League. A left-hander in his early 20s throwing 100 mph fastballs will turn heads - and cause more than a few double-takes. Scott started last night for the Peoria Javelinas in the AFL opener and threw 30 pitches in the first inning. Twenty-seven were four-seam fastballs clocked at 97-99 mph, according to MLB.com's Gameday. He also mixed in three...

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Some arbitration talk and the search for a new pitching coach

October 10, 2016, 3:19pm

Orioles

Some arbitration talk and the search for a new pitching coach

While we wait to find out which teams will play in the World Series and, if you're me, continue to think about how the Orioles could have duplicated the Blue Jays' ouster of the Rangers had they gotten past the wild card round, MLBTradeRumors.com released its projected arbitration figures. The budget for executive vice president Dan Duquette this winter will include raises for a significant portion of the Orioles' 10 eligible players. Here's the list: Chris Tillman - $10.6MM Ryan Flaherty -...

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Can Mancini make the roster in 2017?

October 09, 2016, 6:38pm

Orioles

Trey Mancini played in five major league games last month and he's already a central figure in an early offseason debate. Chris Davis is signed for six more years. They both play first base. What's a manager to do? I've heard how Mancini is too young to be used as a full-time designated hitter. Buck Showalter doesn't seem inclined to move Davis to right field, which is understandable. Davis played Gold Glove-caliber defense. And he didn't re-sign with the Orioles so he could change...

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Leftovers for breakfast

October 08, 2016, 12:20pm

Orioles

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette referred to the 2016 season as "a personal favorite of mine." It could have ended more favorably, but he found plenty of good in it. "We had some great performances along the way. I'm going to hit on a few high points," Duquette said at Thursday's press conference. "The Orioles continue to be one of the most powerful clubs in the league. We led the league in home runs this year. We had five guys with over 25 home runs, which is a really...

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Replacing Adam Jones atop the order

October 07, 2016, 7:24pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't know who's going to be playing right field next season, who's going to set up behind the plate, how the middle of his order will unfold. But he has a pretty good idea about the top of it. Showalter wants a different leadoff hitter. Adam Jones took over the role on May 27 in Cleveland, with Showalter attempting to jump start the center fielder's bat and an offense that slipped into one of its dormant stages. Jones made 108 starts and hit .282/.320/.471...

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Orioles claim lefty Jed Bradley off waivers

October 07, 2016, 10:57am

Orioles

The Orioles made their first attempt to improve their left-handed depth by claiming reliever Jed Bradley off waivers from the Braves. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated veteran infielder Paul Janish for assignment. Bradley, 26, went 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA over six relief appearances with the Braves, allowing four earned runs over seven innings. He walked six batters, two intentionally. He earned the win in his major league debut on Sept. 3 in Philadelphia. Bradley was...

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Dave Wallace on his decision to retire as pitching coach

October 07, 2016, 9:19am

Orioles

Dave Wallace on his decision to retire as pitching coach

Dave Wallace wants to spend more time with his family and still work with young pitchers to take them to a higher level. What's needed is a compromise. Wallace, 69, has retired as Orioles pitching coach after three seasons and the search begins for a replacement. The Orioles posted a 4.20 ERA in 2013 that ranked 23rd in the majors. In the first season with Wallace as pitching coach and Dom Chiti as bullpen coach, they improved to seventh with a 3.43 ERA. The club ranked 19th with a 4.22 ERA...

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Showalter on Davis' hand injury and the "challenge" it presented

October 07, 2016, 5:29am

Orioles

Showalter on Davis' hand injury and the "challenge" it presented

In one of the more surprising developments of the 2016 season, Khris Davis hit more home runs than Chris Davis. Khris Davis also drove in more runs, reaching career highs in both categories. But he got paid a heck of a lot less. The Orioles' Davis ended the year with 38 home runs and 84 RBIs, significant drops from the 47 homers and 117 RBIs in 2015 that led to his seven-year, $161 million contract. Khris Davis, in his first season with the Athletics after three with the Brewers, totaled 42...

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Leftovers for breakfast

October 06, 2016, 7:18pm

Orioles

"The closing act is over for the Orioles and the curtain has come down on the 2016 season." This is how executive vice president Dan Duquette started yesterday's season-ending press conference at Camden Yards. It took up just a tiny fraction of the 47 minutes spent inside the auxiliary clubhouse. Duquette said the Orioles are in the process of formulating their offseason plan. Too early to be asking about free agents or qualifying offers or extensions. Losing pitching coach Dave Wallace is a...

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More on Wallace, the Britton decision and a beer can

October 06, 2016, 2:33pm

Orioles

More on Wallace, the Britton decision and a beer can

The biggest news to come out of today's press conference at Camden Yards involved pitching coach Dave Wallace's retirement from his current role. Orioles manager Buck Showalter told the media, which waited until the conference was over to pass it along via Twitter. By then, it already had been leaked to USA Today. Showalter stressed that Wallace wanted to stay in baseball, just in a different capacity, and was hopeful that it would be within the Orioles organization. Showalter referred to it...