Roch Kubatko

Stewart selected to AFL Fall Stars Game

October 31, 2016, 10:02am

Orioles

Outfielder DJ Stewart, the 25th overall pick in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Florida State University, has been chosen to play in the Arizona Fall League's 11th annual "Fall Stars Game" Saturday in Surprise, Ariz. Stewart, 22, is 10-for-45 with three doubles, a triple, five RBIs and five runs scored in 12 games. He has 11 walks, 11 strikeouts and is 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts. In 59 games this season at Single-A Frederick, Stewart batted .279/.389/.448 with 12 doubles, two...

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Orioles still deciding on qualifying offer for Wieters

October 30, 2016, 5:18pm

Orioles

It comes as no surprise that the Orioles continue to ponder whether they should make a qualifying offer to catcher Matt Wieters. They've had internal debates since he accepted the last one. I've heard that they're weighing both sides and I sense that they may be leaning more toward not giving it to Wieters, who hit .243/.302/.409 with 17 doubles, 17 home runs and 66 RBIs this season in 124 games. But they're far from solidifying a decision. Wieters made $15.8 million after unexpectedly...

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Should Orioles consider an eight-man bullpen?

October 29, 2016, 5:13pm

Orioles

Watching how bullpens have been utilized in the postseason, especially by Indians manager Terry Francona, led to an interesting discussion yesterday on "Wall-to-Wall Baseball" on MASN. Will more teams consider breaking camp next year with eight relievers and only three bench players, or will a fresh season bring a return to normalcy? It would be tough to manage an entire season yanking your starters in the fourth or fifth innings and passing the baton, and bringing in set-up men in the middle...

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Britton named top reliever in American League (updated)

October 29, 2016, 3:11pm

Orioles

Britton named top reliever in American League (updated)

While Orioles left-hander Zach Britton awaits his Cy Young fate, he's been recognized as the best reliever in the American League. Insert Captain Obvious reference here. The use of the word "duh" also is permissible. Britton received the Mariano Rivera Award tonight that goes to the top AL reliever. The Dodgers' Kenley Jansen was given the NL's version, named after Trevor Hoffman. It would have been a major upset for Britton to be denied. In case you missed it, here's what I wrote about...

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Will Britton be named top AL reliever?

October 28, 2016, 11:24am

Orioles

As the World Series continues tonight with Game 4 at Wrigley Field, it's also important to note that we've entered awards season. Sporting News has dished out its hardware and the Rawlings Gold Glove finalists were revealed on Thursday. The Relievers of the Year will be announced later today, with one winner in each league. The American League award is named after Mariano Rivera, and the NL award is named after Trevor Hoffman. Somewhere, Heathcliff Slocumb is fuming. The awards were first...

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Date set for FanFest

October 28, 2016, 10:44am

Orioles

A "save the date" isn't just for weddings. There's also the baseball winter version. The Orioles announced today that their annual FanFest event will be held on Jan. 28, 2017 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Or exactly three months from today. More information will become available later, including the list of players, coaches and former players in attendance and a breakdown of the autograph stations. The event runs from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., but season plan holders will have access beginning...

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Leftovers for breakfast

October 27, 2016, 3:43pm

Orioles

So much for the Orioles having four Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners in their infield. The best they can do is two after first baseman Chris Davis and third baseman Manny Machado were named finalists yesterday in the American League. No team has sported four Gold Glove winners in the infield in the same season, but the Orioles came close in the past. Brooks Robinson, Mark Belanger and Davey Johnson won the award in 1969 and 1971, and Robinson, Belanger and Bobby Grich won it from 1973-1975....

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Davis and Machado named Gold Glove finalists

October 27, 2016, 10:30am

Orioles

Davis and Machado named Gold Glove finalists

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis and third baseman Manny Machado have been named Rawlings Gold Glove finalists in the American League. Davis joins the Royals' Eric Hosmer and the Rangers' Mitch Moreland. Hosmer has won the award in the last three seasons. Davis has been a finalist in the past. Machado joins the Mariners' Kyle Seager and the Rangers' Adrian Beltre. Machado won it in 2013 and 2015, and also won a Platinum Glove in 2013. The winners will be announced on Nov. 8 on ESPN. Davis...

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Looking back at Britton and wondering about his future

October 26, 2016, 6:58pm

Orioles

Looking back at Britton and wondering about his future

In case you missed it, Orioles left-hander Zach Britton was named to the Sporting News American League All-Star team. I saw the tweet after returning home from a mini-vacation in Mexico, where the top closers usually include tequila. The team was selected by a panel of 29 American League executives before the playoffs. Britton was the lone reliever and an obvious choice considering his historic season. The Indians' Andrew Miller, the Yankees' Dellin Betances and the Blue Jays' Roberto Osuna...

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Early thoughts on spring training

October 25, 2016, 5:27pm

Orioles

The release of the spring training schedule this week made me flash back to past players who occupied so much space in this blog and never made it to Baltimore. There seems to be one every year. I also celebrated how we're making only one trip to Dunedin while lamenting the upcoming drives to Orlando and Lakeland, but I digress ... There needs to be an award for whichever player is the big spring tease. Left-hander Jeff Beliveau (pronounced BELL-uh-voh) would have received it this year after...

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Trumbo receives AL award from Sporting News

October 25, 2016, 6:27am

Orioles

Trumbo receives AL award from Sporting News

If Mark Trumbo leaves the Orioles as a free agent, he'll join a new team as the reigning Sporting News 2016 American League Comeback Player of the Year. Trumbo, 30, beat out the Rangers' Ian Desmond by one vote for the award, which has existed since 1965. Orioles starter Chris Tillman finished in seventh plave. Trumbo was selected by a panel of 174 American League players. They obviously put a lot of stock in leading the majors in home runs, which Trumbo did with 47. He also drove in 108 runs...

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Orioles announce spring training schedule

October 24, 2016, 11:20am

Orioles

The Orioles open their 2017 Grapefruit League schedule against the Tigers on Feb. 24 in Lakeland, Fla. Their first home game is Feb. 26 against the Pirates at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. The early start is due to the World Baseball Classic. The Orioles will host the defending champion Dominican Republic on March 7. The Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico in 2013 to claim the WBC championship. The Orioles will make 17 trips during spring training, including four to Bradenton to...

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Will a starter move to the bullpen?

October 22, 2016, 9:27am

Orioles

Should the Orioles hold onto their six starters through spring training or consider trading one? Teams say you never can have enough pitching and the Orioles are thinking of making it their slogan in 2017. And yet, it's worth debating today whether they might want to deal from their "excess." We're talking about only six starters, so maybe calling their supply "excess" is, well, excessive. But there's room for only five. It's simple math. Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy are...

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More on Mancini and the possibility of playing the outfield

October 21, 2016, 7:32am

Orioles

More on Mancini and the possibility of playing the outfield

Chris Davis has six years remaining on his $161 million deal with the Orioles. He isn't budging off first base next season unless it's the occasional at-bats as the designated hitter. Trey Mancini is the top first base prospect in the organization and one of its best young position players. He's obviously blocked by Davis, which leads fans and media to wonder whether he could move to the outfield. I've done some digging and the best I can come up with is this: Maybe. At the very least, the...

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Notes on pitching prospects Garcia, Scott, Sedlock and Akin

October 20, 2016, 5:26pm

Orioles

Notes on pitching prospects Garcia, Scott, Sedlock and Akin

I filed a blog entry last week with Orioles director of player development Brian Graham offering his opinion of Jason Garcia's season at Double-A Bowie. Now let's hear from Baysox pitching coach Alan Mills. "He's a talented individual," Mills said of Garcia, the former Rule 5 pick who went 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA and 1.544 WHIP in 24 starts. "Kind of started slow, but he got better as the year went on. At the beginning of the year, he had some command issues, and he worked some things out...

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A few more health updates

October 20, 2016, 1:04pm

Orioles

Orioles outfielder Joey Rickard has avoided surgery on his right thumb as the offseason moves through October. Rickard didn't play after July 20 due to a torn ligament in the thumb sustained in a collision with the right field fence at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles transferred him to the 60-day disabled list on Aug. 31. They're hoping that Rickard won't need surgery over the winter and compromise his availability in spring training and perhaps opening day. A second opinion from hand specialist...

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Brach undergoes minor procedure on left knee

October 20, 2016, 12:31pm

Orioles

Brach undergoes minor procedure on left knee

Orioles reliever Brad Brach underwent a minor medical procedure last week involving the meniscus in his left knee. Nothing complicated and apparently no reason for concern. Ravens team physician Dr. Leigh Ann Curl performed the surgery, which Brach was told lasted only seven to 10 minutes. "It was real basic," Brach said. "It was just like I had a flap tear, a tiny little flap torn on my left meniscus. Dr. Curl told me I was in and out. I got to the hospital at 6 a.m. and was out by 9:30 or...

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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...