Roch Kubatko

The night Raines and Raines Jr. shared an outfield

January 18, 2017, 5:10pm

Orioles

The night Raines and Raines Jr. shared an outfield

Tracking and writing about the Hall of Fame voting last night took me back to 2001, when I was a fresher-faced newspaper reporter in my fifth year on the Orioles beat. I can't think about Tim Raines, who will be inducted this summer in his final year on the ballot, without reflecting on his brief time in Baltimore and how it unfolded. How he played in the same outfield as his son. How it contradicted the team slogan. Tim Raines Jr. made his major league debut on Oct. 1 as a defensive...

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Raines, Bagwell and Rodriguez voted into Hall of Fame

January 18, 2017, 1:26pm

Orioles

Raines, Bagwell and Rodriguez voted into Hall of Fame

One player with thin ties to the Orioles will be inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame later this year in Cooperstown, N.Y. Tim Raines received 86.2 percent of the votes in his final year on the ballot, an increase from 69.8 percent in 2016. A player must garner at least 75 percent to be inducted. First baseman Jeff Bagwell and catcher Ivan Rodriguez will join Raines. Bagwell received 86 percent, an increase from 71.6 percent last year. Rodriguez received 76 percent and joined Bench as the...

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Orioles announce FanFest autograph lineup

January 17, 2017, 12:52pm

Orioles

The Orioles already announced the Jan. 28 date for their annual FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. Now comes the official list of autograph stations. There isn't much left except opening the doors and praying for dry weather. Adam Jones and Manny Machado will sign at 11:20 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. at separate stations. Chris Davis will sign at 12:40 p.m. and 4:40 p.m. Autograph station No. 1, 11:20 a.m. - Brad Brach, Oliver Drake, Buck Showalter Autograph station No. 2, 11:20 a.m. -...

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Leftovers for breakfast

January 17, 2017, 10:27am

Orioles

The Orioles' success in 2017 hinges, as always, on the performance of their rotation. It's the reason why they qualified as the second wild card last year, their September surge pushing them into the playoffs for the third time in five years. The rotation still doesn't impress the prognosticators who pick the Orioles near or at the bottom of the American League East. But Chris Tillman remains the model of consistency and he's excited about the progress made by former first-round picks Kevin...

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Anderson on Mancini: "The guy can mash"

January 16, 2017, 2:15pm

Orioles

The Orioles expressed interest in outfielder Michael Saunders throughout the winter until the trade for Seth Smith lessened the urgency. They had a left-handed hitter for right field with a career .344 on-base percentage. Executive vice president Dan Duquette wants another player who bats from the left side, but he's also seeking a plus defender in the outfield and Saunders experienced a decline in 2016. A cheaper alternative also could present itself after Saunders reportedly agreed to a...

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Tillman offers advice to Givens regarding WBC

January 15, 2017, 6:12pm

Orioles

Tillman offers advice to Givens regarding WBC

The Orioles are down to four players committed to play in the World Baseball Classic after outfielder Hyun Soo Kim reportedly withdrew his name from the South Korea roster. One of them received some advice from the staff ace during last week's minicamp in Sarasota. Chris Tillman, who lives about 10 minutes from the Ed Smith Stadium complex, showed up all three days to continue his workouts and to watch the young pitchers throw their bullpen sessions. He also wanted to chat with reliever Mychal...

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Tillman on contract extension: "I'd love to stay"

January 14, 2017, 3:27pm

Orioles

Tillman on contract extension: "I'd love to stay"

While the Orioles seem intent on going to arbitration hearings with their three unsigned players, I'd love to be a fly on the wall as the process unfolds. Bonus if there are snacks on the table. Caleb Joseph is seeking $1 million while the Orioles have countered at $700,000. He made $523,500 last season. Joseph's agent has been preparing his case and he's bound to gloss over the .174/.216/.197 slash line and zero RBIs. The testicular injury and month spent on the disabled list also figure to...

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Garcia trying to stay in the majors in 2017

January 13, 2017, 5:55pm

Orioles

Garcia trying to stay in the majors in 2017

The 2016 season didn't go as Jason Garcia intended. Better to put it behind him and never look back. Except that he wants to keep it close to him. Sound confusing? Not when the Orioles' young right-hander explains it. The former Rule 5 pick was recalled on July 9, replacing Mike Wright in the bullpen, and optioned back to Double-A Bowie the following day. You won't find any stats on him beyond his 24 starts with the Baysox. "It was a little disappointing, but at the same time I took last...

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Orioles exchange salary figures with three unsigned players

January 13, 2017, 3:03pm

Orioles

The Orioles confirmed tonight that they exchanged salary figures with pitchers Kevin Gausman and Brad Brach and catcher Caleb Joseph. They settled with six of their arbitration-eligible players. Hearing dates will be set for the unsigned trio. I've been told again that the Orioles will file and go, leading to hearings that can be scheduled between Jan. 30-Feb. 17. I heard earlier today that the gap between the Orioles and Brach was the largest, and FanRag Sports reported later that the...

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Britton avoids arbitration (also Machado, Tillman, Schoop)

January 13, 2017, 7:22am

Orioles

Britton avoids arbitration (also Machado, Tillman, Schoop)

The Orioles reached agreement with closer Zach Britton on a contract for the 2017 season, leaving six arbitration-eligible players unsigned as the 1 p.m. deadline approaches. Britton signed for $11.4 million, according to sources. He made $6.75 million last season while going 47-for-47 in save opportunities and posting a 0.54 ERA, finishing fourth in Cy Young Award voting in the American League. He's been an All-Star the past two seasons. Britton is eligible for free agency following the 2018...

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Updates on salary exchanges, Trumbo and Rickard

January 12, 2017, 4:46pm

Orioles

Updates on salary exchanges, Trumbo and Rickard

Today marks the deadline for teams and players to exchange salary figures before attempting to work out agreements and avoid the messy hearing process. The deadline is 1 p.m., so you won't be left hanging all day. The Orioles could announce a bunch of signings later this afternoon. It's been known to happen. Last year, they agreed to terms with eight of their 10 players before figures were swapped. I joke every year about the media's obsession over publishing the exchanged figures. I doubt...

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Flaherty agrees to terms on 2017 contract (also McFarland)

January 12, 2017, 3:04pm

Orioles

Flaherty agrees to terms on 2017 contract (also McFarland)

The Orioles have reached agreement with utility infielder Ryan Flaherty on a contract for 2017, avoiding the possibility of going to an arbitration hearing. Flaherty signed for $1.8 million, according to a source. The deal also includes incentives. MLBTradeRumors.com projected that Flaherty would earn $1.7 million. He made $1.5 million last season and was deemed a non-tender candidate. The Orioles value Flaherty's defensive versatility. He's played every position except center field and...

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Tillman doesn't figure to be flustered by pending free agency

January 11, 2017, 2:02pm

Orioles

Tillman doesn't figure to be flustered by pending free agency

One of the lingering images from this week's minicamp that concluded yesterday was pitcher Chris Tillman wandering around the back fields with a beard that would make him a perfect cast member on "Duck Dynasty." There was no masking how much Tillman enjoyed watching the two days of bullpen sessions. He stood off to the side and studied each pitcher and talked baseball with anyone who ventured over to him. On the second morning, he sought out reliever Mychal Givens for a chat about spring...

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Wrapping up the final day of minicamp (with pictures and video)

January 11, 2017, 8:20am

Orioles

Wrapping up the final day of minicamp (with pictures and video)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jesus Liranzo, Brian Gonzalez and Garrett Cleavinger completed their bullpen sessions this morning. Liranzo had the area to himself after Gonzalez and Cleavinger threw off adjoining mounds. Chris Tillman stuck around again to watch the sessions after working out earlier in the day. This guy is a leader on the pitching staff and it shows. The beard is an added bonus. "He likes baseball," said manager Buck Showalter. "There's a confidence in what he can do. He doesn't look...

Kim reportedly off WBC roster, Liranzo on health and progress

January 11, 2017, 5:17am

Orioles

Kim reportedly off WBC roster, Liranzo on health and progress

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are down to four players participating in the World Baseball Classic. Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim has declined an offer to join South Korea's team, according to a report from the Yonhap News Agency. Kim was on the preliminary roster. The report includes the following note on Kim: "Kim, entering his second big league season, told the manager a few hours after the team meeting that he wouldn't be available for the WBC. Kim was a part-time player as a rookie last year...

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Notes on minicamp and Brian Gonzalez's progress

January 10, 2017, 4:18pm

Orioles

Notes on minicamp and Brian Gonzalez's progress

SARASOTA, Fla. - We've reached the final day of the Orioles' minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. A few more bullpen sessions, maybe a few more meetings between the pitchers and coaches Roger McDowell and Alan Mills, followed by flights back home later in the afternoon. The Orioles apparently will leave without signing any new players. No surprises like Delmon Young and Alfredo Aceves. Not even a tryout for a former pitcher hoping to land a minor league deal. This isn't to suggest that...

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O's keeping Mountcastle on shortstop throwing program

January 10, 2017, 10:19am

Orioles

O's keeping Mountcastle on shortstop throwing program

SARASOTA, Fla. - The three-day minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex has enabled the Orioles to offer a unique experience to one of their prospects: a throwing program for an infielder. It isn't routine in baseball. Such programs usually are associated with pitchers. But the Orioles are providing one to Single-A Delmarva shortstop Ryan Mountcastle, the 36th overall pick in the 2015 draft who's trying to stay at his current position. Mountcastle wants to play shortstop, but there are...

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Lots more from the second day of minicamp

January 10, 2017, 9:47am

Orioles

Lots more from the second day of minicamp

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jesus Liranzo, added to the 40-man roster to protect him in the Rule 5 draft, will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday before the Orioles end their latest minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Manager Buck Showalter said he's "intrigued" by left-hander John Means, who threw today. Means, 23, is an 11th-round pick in 2014 out of West Virginia who went 5-0 with a 1.80 ERA in nine starts at Single-A Frederick and 4-8 with a 4.69 ERA in 18 starts with Bowie. "Our people...

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Branden Kline gets back on the mound (with pictures and videos)

January 10, 2017, 6:34am

Orioles

Branden Kline gets back on the mound (with pictures and videos)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The second day of minicamp held more importance for Branden Kline than perhaps anyone else in attendance. Kline, 25, threw off a bullpen mound this morning, another important step in his recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in October 2015. Dr. James Andrews handled the procedure in Florida. Jason Garcia joined Kline for the first round. Others followed while manager Buck Showalter, bench coach John Russell, pitching coach Roger McDowell and bullpen...

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Chris Lee on his health, Mychal Givens on pitching in WBC

January 10, 2017, 5:06am

Orioles

Chris Lee on his health, Mychal Givens on pitching in WBC

SARASOTA, Fla. - The second day of Orioles minicamp this morning will include multiple bullpen sessions. Pitchers scheduled to throw include Jason Garcia, Mike Wright, Logan Verrett, Joe Gunkel, Jesus Liranzo, Stefan Crichton, John Means and Jimmy Yacabonis. Chris Lee isn't ready to step on a mound, but it could happen within the next two weeks. Lee threw off flat ground yesterday while continuing his recovery from a lat injury that limited him to eight appearances and only seven starts at...