Roch Kubatko

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,...

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Rick Peterson won't return to Orioles in 2017

November 12, 2016, 7:20am

Orioles

The Orioles are making changes in their minor league system while continuing their work on the major league coaching staff. Rick Peterson won't return as director of pitching development for the 2017 season. I heard from multiple sources that Peterson was gone, and executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed it this afternoon. Peterson was hired for the position in January 2012 after serving as pitching coach with the Brewers, Mets and Athletics. He also worked as the Blue Jays minor...

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McGregor's role in Miley's strong finish

November 11, 2016, 6:44pm

Orioles

McGregor's role in Miley's strong finish

As the Orioles seem content or financially motivated to stick with their rotation candidates next spring, they're banking on left-hander Wade Miley to give them a greater return on their trade with the Mariners. Miley went 2-5 with a 6.17 ERA and 1.574 WHIP in 11 starts with the Orioles, but he picked up a head of steam toward the finish. In his last three outings, he held the opposition to four runs and struck out 23 batters over 18 2/3 innings. The Rays, Diamondbacks and Yankees can vouch...

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Notes on general managers meetings and coaching candidates

November 11, 2016, 6:13am

Orioles

Notes on general managers meetings and coaching candidates

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette flew home last night from the general managers meetings in Arizona with a clearer read on the free agent and trade markets, holding firm to the same desires. Duquette wants to upgrade the outfield defense. He's searching for a left-handed bat, the need amplified with Matt Wieters and Pedro Alvarez potentially lost to free agency. He wants to improve the catching and bullpen depth. "We got an idea of what some other clubs are looking to deal in the...

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Comparing offseason Trumbo to Davis

November 10, 2016, 5:31pm

Orioles

Is Mark Trumbo the 2016 offseason version of Chris Davis? There are the obvious differences, including Davis' ability to land a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Orioles. Trumbo is lined up for a significant bump in salary, but not to the same degree. Certainly not with the Orioles, whose payroll would crumble like a jelly donut in Sidney Ponson's pants pocket. (I seriously have nothing against Ponson, but I've convinced myself that I'll drop dead if I don't make one joke a year....

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Trumbo wins Silver Slugger Award

November 10, 2016, 8:33am

Orioles

Mark Trumbo did more than make a sterling comeback in 2016. He also swung a silver bat. Trumbo won a Silver Slugger Award tonight, the only Oriole to be honored. The announcement came on MLB Network. Voting is done by managers and coaches. Trumbo was joined in the AL outfield by the Red Sox's Mookie Betts and the Angels' Mike Trout. The accolades keep piling up for Trumbo, who's already been named Comeback Player of the Year in the American League by Sporting News and in the Players Choice...

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Hyun Soo Kim also slated to play in WBC

November 10, 2016, 5:13am

Orioles

The Orioles apparently will have a fourth player leave spring training to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Hyun Soo Kim is part of South Korea's 28-man roster, with confirmation coming via Yonhap News Agency. Manager Kim In-sik provided the list of names and the Orioles outfielder is included among four major leaguers. Center fielder Adam Jones (USA), third baseman Manny Machado (Dominican Republic) and second baseman Jonathan Schoop (Netherlands) also will play in the fourth...

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This, that and the other

November 09, 2016, 4:23pm

Orioles

More awards are coming tonight with the Louisville Silver Slugger Award winners announced on MLB Network. No truth to the rumor that Neil Patrick Harris will perform a musical number between selections. The Orioles set a club record with three winners in 2013, the last year that they were honored. Awards were given to first baseman Chris Davis, shortstop J.J. Hardy and center fielder Adam Jones. The previous winner was designated hitter Aubrey Huff in 2008. Huff also played first base and third...