Roch Kubatko

Verrett on his return to the Orioles

January 09, 2017, 9:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - After going through some morning stretching exercises on the first day of minicamp, Orioles pitcher Logan Verrett paired up with Jason Garcia for a game of catch on the replica Camden Yards field. Reunited Rule 5 picks getting reacquainted. The Orioles kept Garcia in the spring of 2015 and tried to pass Verrett through waivers, but the Rangers put in a claim. Verrett ended up back with the Mets, who traded him to the Orioles on Nov. 30 for cash considerations. "I think I got...

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A few notes from the first day of minicamp

January 09, 2017, 8:53am

Orioles

A few notes from the first day of minicamp

SARASOTA, Fla. - New Orioles minor league pitching coordinator John Wasdin is at minicamp this week. The club hasn't announced his hiring, but he's assisting with the workouts at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. No one threw in the bullpen today, but there will be numerous sessions on Tuesday. Outfielder Joey Rickard and catcher Chance Sisco are working out in California with vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson. Rickard has told the Orioles that his right thumb is much...

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Left field lessons continue for Christian Walker

January 09, 2017, 5:45am

Orioles

Left field lessons continue for Christian Walker

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of minicamp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex includes a morning meeting before the Orioles take the field around 11 a.m. The clubhouse opened to the media for an hour. A few players, including reliever Mychal Givens and outfielders Christian Walker and Henry Urrutia, live in the area and decided to show up despite not receiving a formal invitation. Other players at minicamp include pitchers Mike Wright, Logan Verrett, Chris Lee, Jason Garcia, Brian Gonzalez, Joe...

Trumbo talk, minicamp thoughts and Gausman's shoulder

January 08, 2017, 2:52pm

Orioles

Trumbo talk, minicamp thoughts and Gausman's shoulder

SARASOTA, Fla. - Have the Orioles moved away from free agent slugger Mark Trumbo? We're left again to read between the lines. Executive vice president Dan Duquette stated again yesterday on MLB Network Radio that the club values the draft pick attached to Trumbo if the outfielder signs with another club. He didn't deny during his interview with Jim Bowden and former Orioles executive Jim Duquette that the club offered $52 million over four years. "Well, I don't consider coming back and...

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More thoughts on roster and Bundy's progress

January 07, 2017, 6:33pm

Orioles

More thoughts on roster and Bundy's progress

SARASOTA, Fla. - I remain at a loss trying to figure out the Orioles' next move and their thought process behind it. I'm left to speculate and wait. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said he could sign another outfielder, and the Orioles appear to be focused on a left-handed bat. Seth Smith satisfied a need, but not their craving. A right-handed hitter makes sense to platoon with Smith or Hyun Soo Kim, with Joey Rickard available for the other pairing, unless the Orioles believe that...

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More on Seth Smith and what could come next

January 06, 2017, 6:08pm

Orioles

More on Seth Smith and what could come next

Immediately after the Orioles tweeted the news yesterday that they acquired outfielder Seth Smith from the Mariners for pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations, my first thought turned to how the club made the announcement before it leaked to the media. When does this happen anymore? There also was surprise that the Orioles traded one of their starters this month rather than later in the offseason. The math suggested that it eventually would happen, especially with the money committed...

Hearing from Duquette and Smith after today's trade

January 06, 2017, 12:45pm

Orioles

Hearing from Duquette and Smith after today's trade

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette found his left-handed bat for right field earlier today and there's more work to be done. Another item is crossed off a list that hasn't reached bottom. Duquette acquired Seth Smith from the Mariners for starter Yovani Gallardo and cash. Multiple needs were addressed in the process, but others remain. The approximately $4 million saved could be put toward future transactions. "I think the important thing is that we added a good veteran hitter to...

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Orioles acquire Seth Smith from Mariners for Yovani Gallardo

January 06, 2017, 8:49am

Orioles

The Orioles found their left-handed hitting corner outfielder today without spending in free agency. The club announced that it acquired Seth Smith from the Mariners for pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations. Smith, 34, batted .249/.342/.415 (94-for-378) with 16 home runs and a career-high 63 RBIs over 137 games with the Mariners last season. He hit .326 (28-for-86) with runners in scoring position and was 6-for-11 with the bases loaded. Smith is signed through the 2017 season and is...

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Gausman on wins and losses, Bundy on the cutter/slider

January 05, 2017, 5:04pm

Orioles

Gausman on wins and losses, Bundy on the cutter/slider

If Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman is going to take a significant step toward becoming the staff ace, he probably can do so without the weight of an impressive won-loss record reducing his stride. The stat is largely meaningless, considering how many factors are out of a pitcher's control. But Gausman might enjoy a little more support from his teammates this year. The gesture would be appreciated, even if wins and losses won't define him. Gausman is 23-31 in 95 major league games spread...

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This, that and the other

January 04, 2017, 1:04pm

Orioles

I wrote last week that Hyun Soo Kim's participation in the World Baseball Classic wasn't a certainty despite his inclusion on South Korea's early roster. Now comes word that manager Kim In-sik is considering possible replacements for Kim and the Rangers' Shin-soo Choo. In a story that appeared yesterday in Yohhap News Agency, Korea's manager indicated that the Orioles could steer Kim away from the WBC because they want the outfielder in camp for the duration of spring training. "It's...

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This, that and the other

January 03, 2017, 5:43pm

Orioles

Another outfielder is off the board while the Orioles try to figure out who's playing right for them on opening day. The Athletics signed Rajai Davis to a one-year deal last night worth a reported $6 million guaranteed. He's no longer an option for the Orioles, who are intrigued by him every winter without reaching an agreement. The Orioles would prefer a left-handed hitter, so Davis wasn't an ideal fit. He's also 36 and owns a career .314 on-base percentage. He's posted an OBP of .306 in...

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Orioles sign Montero to minor league deal

January 03, 2017, 12:16pm

Orioles

The Orioles made one of their depth-type moves today that won't bring much risk and certainly no reward until perhaps later in the summer. Jesus Montero, 27, agreed to a minor league deal, the signing confirmed by executive vice president Dan Duquette. The former elite catching prospect now is a first baseman/designated hitter who's suspended for the first 50 games of 2017 after testing positive for the banned stimulant dimethylbutylamine back in September. Montero appeared in 126 games with...

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This, that and the other

January 02, 2017, 5:09pm

Orioles

The new year began with another report that the Orioles are interested in re-signing designated hitter Pedro Alvarez. It still holds true. They've been open to the idea since he hit the free agent market. However, as I've written, he could be the type of late signing that brought him to Baltimore last spring and has become executive vice president Dan Duquette's signature move. Signing Alvarez would be a clear signal that the Orioles have moved away from Mark Trumbo unless they've suddenly...

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Making up resolutions for the Orioles

December 31, 2016, 4:43am

Orioles

I've never been a stickler for New Year's resolutions, mainly because I break them like crystal speed bumps. Work out more, work out less, eat healthier, worry less, stop complaining, start appreciating, read more books, book more trips that don't include a seventh-inning stretch. I don't want to be held accountable, but I'm willing to be held if I become emotional. Anyway, let's play around with a few resolutions related to the Orioles. Should Adam Jones include one about becoming more...

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Wondering about your worries in a new year

December 30, 2016, 6:28am

Orioles

Wondering about your worries in a new year

Any headaches out there? Anyone popping Tums like they're Skittles? Anyone chugging Pepto like it's your job? I'm kinda/sorta on vacation through Tuesday. I've been scouting the Tampa/St. Petersburg area in case I need to alert the Orioles of any changes before their next series against the Rays. And there's that trip to George Steinbrenner Field when they play the Yankees in spring training. If I'm forced to sleep late or sit by a pool or watch football at a bar, so be it. The laptop is...

Wondering what's next for Kim

December 30, 2016, 6:00am

Orioles

Let me begin by wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year, in case we don't talk at midnight. Please drink responsibly and try to avoid the amateurs on the road. As far as I'm concerned, the ball can drop on 2016 and smash it to pieces. Too many deaths this year. Too many painful reminders that life is precious and can be taken from us in the blink of an eye. We get it. The list of pending free agents following the 2017 season includes outfielder Hyun Soo Kim, often forgotten because we...

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Notes on Givens and Orioles assistant hitting coach

December 29, 2016, 12:58pm

Orioles

Orioles reliever Mychal Givens will attend the team's minicamp next month in Sarasota. He offered confirmation yesterday on MLB Network Radio. Givens isn't a minor leaguer in need of assessment and he isn't recovering from an injury or surgery. However, he was expected to make the drive again from his Tampa home and start the bonding process with new pitching coach Roger McDowell. He also will be reunited with bullpen coach Alan Mills, his former pitching coach at Double-A Bowie. Givens, 26,...

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Orioles primed for more late additions

December 28, 2016, 4:14pm

Orioles

The Orioles are picked to finish below .500 and in fourth or fifth place in their division in various December predictions. They've already lost the offseason, graded poorly for their inability to improve the roster while holes opened up in right field and at designated hitter. And the rotation doesn't measure up, at least on paper. Meanwhile, executive vice president Dan Duquette does his best work after the ball drops in Times Square. And the first ball drops during pitchers fielding...

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This, that and the other

December 27, 2016, 2:35pm

Orioles

Orioles third base coach Bobby Dickerson is enjoying a successful stint managing in one of baseball's winter leagues. Dickerson has been named Manager of the Year in the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League after guiding Gigantes del Cibao to a first-place finish in the six-team division. The news came from the team's Twitter account. Gigantes del Cibao advanced to the round robin playoffs, which began yesterday. Dickerson, 51, turned down several opportunities to manage in the...

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Chris Davis: "I think there's definitely a sense of urgency"

December 23, 2016, 6:53am

Orioles

Chris Davis: "I think there's definitely a sense of urgency"

Everyone has an opinion regarding the wisdom of trading Orioles left-hander Zach Britton before he potentially hits free agency following the 2018 season. Value may never be higher, teams are paying a steep price for closers, the organization needs the prospects that would be included in any return. Also, he's too valuable to part with, the bullpen depth would take a serious hit, the club should be all-in for 2017. Players hear the same rumors and denials. The Orioles don't seem inclined to...