Roch Kubatko

Orioles re-sign Logan Ondrusek

December 12, 2016, 4:24pm

Orioles

In their usual quest to improve their pitching depth, the Orioles have re-signed right-hander Logan Ondrusek. A team official confirmed the signing tonight, which brings Ondrusek back into the organization. Ondrusek, 31, agreed to terms on a contract for $650,000 that also includes a club option in 2018. He became a free agent last month after the Orioles declined his option. The Orioles signed Ondrusek out of Japan on July 29 and designated reliever Chaz Roe for assignment. He appeared in...

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This, that and the other (updated)

December 12, 2016, 3:33pm

Orioles

The Orioles haven't made a decision on their new assistant hitting coach and they've given no indication that an announcement is imminent. Mark Quinn's replacement remains a mystery. Quinn decided to go back to The Baseball School, the hitting academy he owns in Houston. His contract expired on Oct. 31 after one season as Einar Diaz's replacement. Two names that I've heard as candidates are former utility players Lenny Harris and Howie Clark. Harris was fired as Marlins third base coach...

Thoughts on Brach as closer

December 11, 2016, 6:00pm

Orioles

Within a day of the Winter Meetings, the Orioles seemed to move from the trade to free agent market. Teams were asking too much in return, especially in the way of prospects. "That's a fluid situation," executive vice president Dan Duquette said last week on the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "The market's dynamic, the market's always moving and there's so many players on the market with the 30 teams." Brad Brach was on the market in the right deal, with talks including the Mets...

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This, that and the other

December 10, 2016, 12:45pm

Orioles

Another day passed without an agreement between the Orioles and catcher Welington Castillo. The Orioles remain the favorites to sign Castillo, who originally sought a three-year deal. They're fine with giving him two if that's what it takes to get him to Baltimore. Castillo tied for the most passed balls in the National League with 10, according to Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs.com, and also was behind the plate for 42 wild pitches, the same total as Matt Wieters. He threw out 38...

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Duquette on predictions, projections, defending farm system

December 09, 2016, 8:17pm

Orioles

Duquette on predictions, projections, defending farm system

Speculation is building that the Orioles will reach agreement with free agent catcher Welington Castillo on a multi-year deal. It may not be imminent, but it seems inevitable. The club's interest in indisputable and well-documented. He's been the primary target since the Diamondbacks non-tendered him. In that regard, nothing has changed since the start of the Winter Meetings. With the holidays approaching, players tend to want closure for themselves and their families. It doesn't always work...

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Orioles reach agreement with Castillo (updated)

December 09, 2016, 8:00am

Orioles

The Orioles found their veteran catcher and further increased the likelihood that they won't bring back Matt Wieters. Welington Castillo has reached agreement on a one-year deal that also includes a player option for 2018, according to a baseball source. Castillo, a native of the Dominican Republic who turns 30 in April, is a career .255/.318/.416 hitter in seven major league seasons. The Diamondbacks non-tendered him after he batted .264/.322/.423 with 24 doubles, 14 home runs and 68 RBIs in...

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Duquette on Wieters, Trumbo, Brach and Britton

December 08, 2016, 6:59pm

Orioles

Duquette on Wieters, Trumbo, Brach and Britton

Catchers are dropping off the free agent market like windblown popups. Executive vice president Dan Duquette has targeted Welington Castillo, and to a lesser degree, former Oriole Nick Hundley. He isn't walking away from Matt Wieters, but he can't drag his feet. If it's going to take until after New Year's for Wieters to choose a team, his career with the Orioles won't stretch beyond this year. "I think we're going to need to move on the catchers market before January and I'm confident...

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Duquette has resumed negotiations on new Trumbo contract

December 08, 2016, 2:26pm

Orioles

Duquette has resumed negotiations on new Trumbo contract

The Orioles are continuing their efforts to reach an agreement with free agent outfielder Mark Trumbo. Unwilling to offer specifics on Trumbo during most of his media sessions at the Winter Meetings, executive vice president Dan Duquette said he sat down earlier this afternoon with the slugger's representative, Joel Wolfe, before leaving the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Duquette offered confirmation tonight on the "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. The Orioles have made...

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Wrapping up the Orioles' stay at the Winter Meetings

December 08, 2016, 5:51am

Orioles

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The flurry of blockbuster moves and signings at the Winter Meetings further illustrated the importance of stockpiling prospects in the farm system, of having so much young depth that a team can fill holes in its roster at minimum cost or create a package that brings in a superstar. Former Orioles executive Andy MacPhail had that vision. Current executive vice president Dan Duquette is 20-20 with it, as well. The Orioles never were going to come home this week with Chris...

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Orioles make two picks in major league phase of Rule 5 (updated)

December 08, 2016, 4:22am

Orioles

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Orioles selected two outfielders in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft. And just as they did in 2014, they took one player from Triple-A and another from Single-A. With their first selection, the Orioles chose 24-year old Aneury Tavarez from the Red Sox organization. Later in the round, they nabbed 22-year old switch-hitter Anthony Santander from the Indians organization. Tavarez, a left-handed hitter from the Dominican Republic, batted a combined...

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Day Four of the Winter Meetings

December 07, 2016, 6:07pm

Orioles

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The finish line is within sight. Get a full head of steam and run through the tape. The Winter Meetings are almost over, with only the Rule 5 draft standing in the way. The hotel lobby and bar area were half full last night and the place will be deserted later this morning. The sound of crickets will make you think that you're camping in the woods. The Orioles will leave here with at least one Rule 5 pick. I'm setting the over-under at four, counting the minor league...

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More from Day Three of the Winter Meetings

December 07, 2016, 3:00pm

Orioles

More from Day Three of the Winter Meetings

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - If you come away with anything from these Winter Meetings, and it may be more than the Orioles do beyond the Rule 5 draft, it's how executive vice president Dan Duquette is committed to finding a right fielder, a veteran catcher and maybe a reliever to improve the bullpen's depth. It's just a matter of getting it done. The effort isn't lacking, with more discussions held today with agents and executives. And it appears that one day after leaning more toward the trade...

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Duquette on Bautista, trading core players and the WBC

December 07, 2016, 1:43pm

Orioles

Duquette on Bautista, trading core players and the WBC

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The rivalry between the Orioles and Blue Jays took a comedic turn at the Winter Meetings, with executive vice president Dan Duquette pulling no punches while flattening any speculation that his club would pursue the veteran slugger in free agency. The bat flips, glares and whatever power is left in the tank won't be transported to Baltimore. "Jose Bautista's agent has been knocking on the Orioles door for a while and I told him, 'Look, our fans don't really like Jose...

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Zach Britton declines WBC invitation (and other notes)

December 07, 2016, 12:26pm

Orioles

Zach Britton declines WBC invitation (and other notes)

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Orioles closer Zach Britton has declined an invitation from Joe Torre to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Britton was flattered by the offer, but he wanted to spend more time with his family, including a 1-month-old daughter, according to Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette. Duquette said he's unaware of Mychal Givens' reported interest in joining Team USA. He also confirmed that major league clubs are encouraged to send players, but no more...

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More from Showalter's media session

December 07, 2016, 11:17am

Orioles

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - You saw the bullet points from Orioles manager Buck Showalter's media session this afternoon. Now you can read the quotes. On his reaction to big trades and signings at the Winter Meetings: "Sometimes we have a selective memory. I try to, but this went on last year to some extent and the year before, whether it's the Yankees or whether it's the Red Sox or the Blue Jays or whoever. It's part of the job description in our division. I was thinking about it today, it's...

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Showalter on rumors, his roster and the Rule 5 draft

December 07, 2016, 10:28am

Orioles

Showalter on rumors, his roster and the Rule 5 draft

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter fulfilled his obligation today of meeting with the media inside the press room at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Taking to his new setting, he decided to assist us by addressing whichever rumors were tossed his way. Showalter said he hasn't heard Chris Carter's name mentioned once this week inside executive vice president Dan Duquette's suite. Same with Seth Smith and Brett Gardner. However, Showalter confirmed the...

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Givens reportedly commits to WBC (updated)

December 07, 2016, 5:20am

Orioles

Givens reportedly commits to WBC (updated)

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Orioles apparently will lose their first pitcher to the World Baseball Classic. Reliever Mychal Givens has committed to play for Team USA this spring, according to a tweet from ESPN's Marly Rivera. He joins center fielder Adam Jones (USA), third baseman Manny Machado (Dominican Republic), second baseman Jonathan Schoop (Netherlands) and left fielder Hyun Soo Kim (Korea) in the WBC. The Orioles haven't confirmed Givens' inclusion on the Team USA roster, which must...

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Day Three of the Winter Meetings

December 06, 2016, 4:41pm

Orioles

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Just as the Orioles haven't totally moved away from catcher Matt Wieters, they remain in the mix to re-sign outfielder Mark Trumbo. He just needs to come down to them. It's a steep drop. The sides agree on four years, but they're far apart on money and the Orioles won't give a full no-trade clause. But you already know this if you've been paying attention. In the meantime, the Mariners reportedly are making a strong push to get him back. The market expanded just as...

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Duquette on Trumbo, free agent and trade talks, bullpen and more

December 06, 2016, 1:50pm

Orioles

Duquette on Trumbo, free agent and trade talks, bullpen and more

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - So what did we learn today about the Orioles at the Winter Meetings? They're still focused on outfielders and catchers, whether via free agency or trade. I was told by multiple sources that the Orioles weren't scheduled to meet with Mark Trumbo's representatives, contradicting a report, but executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't bite when asked about it. I'm not ready to state with any certainty that it did or didn't happen. "That's a fluid conversation,"...

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Quick hits from the Winter Meetings

December 06, 2016, 12:18pm

Orioles

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't offer a confirmation or denial today when asked whether he met with Mark Trumbo's representative. He only stated that it's "a fluid conversation." Duquette repeated his desire to land an outfielder and met again today with various agents and team executives. He also had trade talks involving catchers. Asked to respond to a report that the Orioles' four-year offer to Trumbo is off the table, Duquette only mentioned...