Roch Kubatko

The Thames deal and wondering if Carter may impact Trumbo

November 29, 2016, 5:07pm

Orioles

The Thames deal and wondering if Carter may impact Trumbo

The Orioles are known to check the Korean Baseball Organization for potential fits on their pitching staff and in their lineup, but they passed on outfielder Eric Thames, who signed a three-year deal with the Brewers. Let's go over this again. Eric Thames received a three-year deal from a major league team that includes an option for a fourth season and reportedly is worth $16 million guaranteed after posting a .250/.296/.431 slash line in 181 career games with the Blue Jays and Mariners. The...

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Urrutia's tweet, Hall of Fame veterans and Ohlman's new team

November 28, 2016, 12:21pm

Orioles

Urrutia's tweet, Hall of Fame veterans and Ohlman's new team

Since I've been covering the Orioles fulltime in 1997, there haven't been many feel-good stories that can top Henry Urrutia's climb to the majors. His defection from Cuba after a failed attempt, the struggle to get from Haiti to Miami, his acclimation to life in the U.S. - including how he crashed through the language barrier - the walk-off home run against the Mets and the tears that followed as he talked about giving the ball to his infant son. Urrutia isn't feeling good these days. His...

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Orioles deciding on a leadoff hitter

November 27, 2016, 3:55pm

Orioles

Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't hesitate last month when asked whether he'd prefer someone else batting atop the order in 2017. He offered up his appreciation of Adam Jones and made it clear that he wanted to go in another direction. This was one of those instances where you didn't need to read between the lines. "Adam did well there for a while and I think to take better advantage of his skills, in a perfect world, he'd hit somewhere else in the order," Showalter said at the...

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This, that and the other

November 25, 2016, 12:31pm

Orioles

Life comes with few certainties beyond death, taxes and long lines for the men's room at football games. But you will be 100 percent correct if you predict that the Orioles will make at least one selection in the Rule 5 draft at next month's Winter Meetings. The final day is more predictable than the ending of a romantic comedy. Team meets minor leaguer, team falls in love and they wind up together. Roll the credits. The Orioles could try to stash a reliever in their bullpen, as they did with...

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Will the Orioles be left with Kim as the everyday left fielder?

November 24, 2016, 7:15am

Orioles

Under the heading of "obvious needs" for the Orioles, you're going to find references to the hole in right field and at designated hitter. You're going to hear about a veteran catcher, though standing pat isn't the worst idea, according to some folks in the industry. Same with the bullpen. The one that is less obvious involves left field and the possibility of a right-handed hitter to platoon with Hyun Soo Kim. Is it necessary? The question is aimed in two directions. Kim may have earned...

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Can Donnie Hart make the team and change a perception?

November 23, 2016, 9:40am

Orioles

Can Donnie Hart make the team and change a perception?

While still waiting for Aretha Franklin to finish her version of the anthem before the Vikings-Lions game ... It's been established that the Orioles are in the market for another reliever this winter. Maybe two. They'd take a left-hander or a right-hander. It's a call to more arms. Donnie Hart has no idea whether he's got a spot reserved in the bullpen, but he's making the assumption that he must earn it. That's been the pattern with Hart and he doesn't expect it to change overnight. The...

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Another chance to give thanks

November 23, 2016, 9:30am

Orioles

With the pitching coach and bullpen coach vacancies filled this week, and on the same day no less, the Orioles can turn their collective attention to replacing director of pitching development Rick Peterson. They also may want to replace the title. Minor league pitching coordinator is more to the point. Executive vice president Dan Duquette, vice president Brady Anderson and manager Buck Showalter again will be involved in the process, and director of player development Brian Graham figures to...

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Donnie Hart and Alan Mills reunited again

November 22, 2016, 1:27pm

Orioles

Donnie Hart and Alan Mills reunited again

In Donnie Hart's world, Alan Mills was destined to join the Orioles coaching staff next season. It couldn't happen any other way. Trace Hart's professional career and you'll run into Mills, his pitching coach every year, beginning with short-season Single-A Aberdeen in 2013. Hart moved up to low Single-A Delmarva in 2014 and Mills was waiting for him. He climbed to Double-A Bowie in 2015 and Mills was waiting for him. They were together for 40 games at Bowie this season before Hart received...

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McDowell on becoming Orioles pitching coach

November 22, 2016, 10:45am

Orioles

New Orioles pitching coach Roger McDowell anticipates a smooth transition for the staff he's inheriting because of his relationship with the man he's replacing. McDowell was close to Dave Wallace, who retired from major league coaching after the season and returned to the Braves organization. "I mentored under Dave Wallace and I also have a very good friendship with Dom Chiti," McDowell said this afternoon in a conference call with the local media. "I learned everything I know about being...

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Orioles add McDowell and Mills to coaching staff

November 22, 2016, 7:47am

Orioles

Bullpen teammates with the 1996 Orioles are reuniting in Baltimore. The Orioles announced today that they've hired Roger McDowell as pitching coach and Alan Mills as bullpen coach. McDowell replaces Dave Wallace, who will serve in an advisory/instructional role with the Braves. Mills replaces Dom Chiti, who will serve as Atlanta's senior director of pitching. McDowell, 55, spent 11 seasons as Braves pitching coach. He previously worked as pitching coach of the Single-A South Georgia Waves in...

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Leftovers for breakfast

November 21, 2016, 4:18pm

Orioles

Not only are the Orioles preparing pay increases for the arbitration-eligible players who will be tendered contracts for 2017, they also are considering contract extensions for part of the group. There's no time like the present. The Orioles failed in the past to reach agreement with pitcher Chris Tillman and third baseman Manny Machado, though talks never reached a point where deals were realistic. That's especially true with Tillman, who made headlines a few springs ago when word broke that...

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Orioles sign David Washington to minor league deal

November 21, 2016, 12:25pm

Orioles

The Orioles added a power bat to their farm system this afternoon. A big guy who hits a lot of home runs, can get on base and also is prone to striking out. David Washington, 26, agreed to a minor league deal and will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk after spending eight seasons in the Cardinals organization. Washington was a 15th-round pick in 2009 out of University City High School in San Diego. He's a career .250/.335/.456 hitter who reached the Triple-A level for the first time this...

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Guerrero, Mora among newcomers on Hall of Fame ballot

November 21, 2016, 8:01am

Orioles

Guerrero, Mora among newcomers on Hall of Fame ballot

Ten former Orioles are included on the latest Hall of Fame ballot released today by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The most prestigious newcomers are Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez and Ivan Rodriguez. Guerrero concluded his 16-year career with the Orioles in 2011, batting .290/.317/.416 with 30 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 145 games. The 13 home runs were his lowest total since he hit 11 in 90 games with the Expos in 1997. Other former Orioles include first-timers...

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Mancini as possible replacement for Trumbo (and other notes)

November 20, 2016, 12:04pm

Orioles

Mancini as possible replacement for Trumbo (and other notes)

Though the Orioles don't currently project Trey Mancini as an outfielder, they continue to tie him to Mark Trumbo and the veteran's potential departure in free agency. I've talked to multiple people who bring up Mancini's name as a possible replacement for Trumbo. It's a clear indication that Mancini is expected to break camp with the team next spring in whatever role. "I can tell you that (Trumbo) had a great year, obviously. He led the league in home runs and we like what he did,"...

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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...