Roch Kubatko

Orioles add Tides to exhibition schedule

November 16, 2016, 9:24am

Orioles

The Orioles are extending their 2017 exhibition schedule beyond the final Grapefruit League game in Sarasota. Triple-A Norfolk and the Orioles announced this afternoon that the teams will play a March 31 game at Harbor Park. The first pitch is slated for 3:05 p.m. This will be the Orioles' fifth appearance in Norfolk since the Tides became the Triple-A affiliate in 2007. Harbor Park served as host for exhibition games between the Orioles and Nationals in 2007 and 2009, and the Orioles played...

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Tonight's pitching award and more from Aubrey Huff

November 15, 2016, 2:02pm

Orioles

Tonight's pitching award and more from Aubrey Huff

The Cy Young Award winners will be revealed tonight on MLB Network, and my only interest is checking how many votes were given to Orioles closer Zach Britton. The Baseball Writers' Association of America requires each ballot to contain five pitchers and I'm wondering how many didn't include Britton. The finalists are the Red Sox's Rick Porcello, the Indians' Corey Kluber and the Tigers' Justin Verlander. I had a vote and will reveal it after a winner is declared. Some members of the media...

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Showalter finishes third in AL Manager of the Year voting

November 15, 2016, 1:35pm

Orioles

Showalter finishes third in AL Manager of the Year voting

Buck Showalter failed to win his fourth Manager of the Year Award, with the 2016 American League honor going to the Indians' Terry Francona. Showalter finished in third place with 44 votes. Francona received 128 and runner up Jeff Banister of the Rangers received 64. Showalter garnered two first-place votes, compared to 22 for Francona and four for Banister. The Red Sox's John Farrell, who finished fourth, also had two first-place votes and 28 total. The Yankees' Joe Girardi (five votes) was...

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Aubrey Huff on his new book and the issues that almost killed him

November 14, 2016, 1:00pm

Orioles

Aubrey Huff on his new book and the issues that almost killed him

Aubrey Huff hadn't reached rock bottom during a succession of losing seasons with the Rays and Orioles. He hadn't touched down through his drug addiction and divorce proceedings. There was only the clawing that hastens a man's descent. It wasn't until Huff retreated to his closet again, dropped to his knees and put a gun to his head that he had truly gotten there. Orioles manager Buck Showalter often punctuates an amusing anecdote by saying, "It will all be in the book one day." Huff, the...

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Mark Trumbo rejects Orioles' qualifying offer

November 14, 2016, 8:40am

Orioles

Outfielder Mark Trumbo figures to draw significant interest in the free agent market and is ready to test it. Trumbo has rejected the Orioles' qualifying offer, walking away from a guaranteed $17.2 million in exchange for longer-term security. The Orioles want to re-sign Trumbo and are prepared to join the bidding after he led the majors with 47 home runs. They'd prefer to use him primarily as the designated hitter and find a better defender in right field. If Trumbo signs with another team,...

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Trumbo's decision and Rookie of the Year voting

November 13, 2016, 8:32am

Orioles

Trumbo's decision and Rookie of the Year voting

The Orioles will know by 5 p.m. today whether outfielder Mark Trumbo is accepting or declining their qualifying offer. I'd still be shocked if Trumbo took the $17.2 million and re-entered the free agent market next winter. His value may never be higher after he led the majors with 47 home runs. The Blue Jays signed Kendrys Morales for $33 million over three years. What's Trumbo worth? Looks like one heck of a deal for the Jays. The only way it makes sense for Trumbo to take the offer is if he...

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More on changes in Orioles farm system

November 12, 2016, 6:48pm

Orioles

The Orioles are busy without actually making any big moves or announcements. Besides executive vice president Dan Duquette's work at the general managers meetings, intended again to lay the groundwork for deals and agreements at the Winter Meetings, and the ongoing interviews for pitching and bullpen coach, the Orioles are making a few changes in their farm system. I reported yesterday that Rick Peterson was out as director of pitching development. The Orioles want to go in another direction,...

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Rick Peterson won't return to Orioles in 2017

November 12, 2016, 7:20am

Orioles

The Orioles are making changes in their minor league system while continuing their work on the major league coaching staff. Rick Peterson won't return as director of pitching development for the 2017 season. I heard from multiple sources that Peterson was gone, and executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed it this afternoon. Peterson was hired for the position in January 2012 after serving as pitching coach with the Brewers, Mets and Athletics. He also worked as the Blue Jays minor...

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McGregor's role in Miley's strong finish

November 11, 2016, 6:44pm

Orioles

McGregor's role in Miley's strong finish

As the Orioles seem content or financially motivated to stick with their rotation candidates next spring, they're banking on left-hander Wade Miley to give them a greater return on their trade with the Mariners. Miley went 2-5 with a 6.17 ERA and 1.574 WHIP in 11 starts with the Orioles, but he picked up a head of steam toward the finish. In his last three outings, he held the opposition to four runs and struck out 23 batters over 18 2/3 innings. The Rays, Diamondbacks and Yankees can vouch...

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Notes on general managers meetings and coaching candidates

November 11, 2016, 6:13am

Orioles

Notes on general managers meetings and coaching candidates

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette flew home last night from the general managers meetings in Arizona with a clearer read on the free agent and trade markets, holding firm to the same desires. Duquette wants to upgrade the outfield defense. He's searching for a left-handed bat, the need amplified with Matt Wieters and Pedro Alvarez potentially lost to free agency. He wants to improve the catching and bullpen depth. "We got an idea of what some other clubs are looking to deal in the...

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Comparing offseason Trumbo to Davis

November 10, 2016, 5:31pm

Orioles

Is Mark Trumbo the 2016 offseason version of Chris Davis? There are the obvious differences, including Davis' ability to land a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Orioles. Trumbo is lined up for a significant bump in salary, but not to the same degree. Certainly not with the Orioles, whose payroll would crumble like a jelly donut in Sidney Ponson's pants pocket. (I seriously have nothing against Ponson, but I've convinced myself that I'll drop dead if I don't make one joke a year....

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Trumbo wins Silver Slugger Award

November 10, 2016, 8:33am

Orioles

Mark Trumbo did more than make a sterling comeback in 2016. He also swung a silver bat. Trumbo won a Silver Slugger Award tonight, the only Oriole to be honored. The announcement came on MLB Network. Voting is done by managers and coaches. Trumbo was joined in the AL outfield by the Red Sox's Mookie Betts and the Angels' Mike Trout. The accolades keep piling up for Trumbo, who's already been named Comeback Player of the Year in the American League by Sporting News and in the Players Choice...

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Hyun Soo Kim also slated to play in WBC

November 10, 2016, 5:13am

Orioles

The Orioles apparently will have a fourth player leave spring training to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Hyun Soo Kim is part of South Korea's 28-man roster, with confirmation coming via Yonhap News Agency. Manager Kim In-sik provided the list of names and the Orioles outfielder is included among four major leaguers. Center fielder Adam Jones (USA), third baseman Manny Machado (Dominican Republic) and second baseman Jonathan Schoop (Netherlands) also will play in the fourth...

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This, that and the other

November 09, 2016, 4:23pm

Orioles

More awards are coming tonight with the Louisville Silver Slugger Award winners announced on MLB Network. No truth to the rumor that Neil Patrick Harris will perform a musical number between selections. The Orioles set a club record with three winners in 2013, the last year that they were honored. Awards were given to first baseman Chris Davis, shortstop J.J. Hardy and center fielder Adam Jones. The previous winner was designated hitter Aubrey Huff in 2008. Huff also played first base and third...

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Trumbo receives Comeback Player of the Year Award

November 09, 2016, 4:02pm

Orioles

Trumbo receives Comeback Player of the Year Award

The players have spoken again and they remain impressed with how Mark Trumbo elevated his game in 2016. Trumbo won the Players Choice Award for American League Comeback Player of the Year, the announcement coming tonight on MLB Network. He beat out the Rangers' Ian Desmond and Yu Darvish. Closer Zach Britton was a finalist for Outstanding Pitcher in the American League, but Red Sox starter Rick Porcello took the prize. The Indians' Corey Kluber also was a finalist. The Sporting News named...

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Jones, Machado and Schoop will leave Orioles for WBC

November 09, 2016, 11:37am

Orioles

Three Orioles are confirmed as participating in the 2017 World Baseball Classic - their starting center fielder, third baseman and second baseman. The WBC's official Twitter account noted that Adam Jones will represent Team USA, Manny Machado will play for the Dominican Republic and Jonathan Schoop will join Team Netherlands. Executive vice president Dan Duquette offered confirmation to reporters, including MLB Network's Jon Morosi, at the general managers meetings in Arizona. Manager Buck...

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This, that and the other

November 08, 2016, 3:39pm

Orioles

We're being bombarded with awards shows for the next two weeks. I'm waiting for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to host one of them. Can't wait to find out who wins "Best On-Screen Kiss." Tonight is the Players Choice Awards from 8-9:30 p.m. on MLB Network. Watch me feign interest. The Orioles have two nominees in the American League. Zach Britton, Corey Kluber and Rick Porcello are finalists for Outstanding Pitcher, and Mark Trumbo, Yu Darvish and Ian Desmond are finalists for Comeback...

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Machado and Davis fail to win Gold Glove

November 08, 2016, 3:25pm

Orioles

Machado and Davis fail to win Gold Glove

The Orioles went 0-for-2 in the Rawlings Gold Glove Award voting. Finalists Manny Machado and Chris Davis were denied tonight at their respective positions, leaving the Orioles without a winner for the first time since 2010. Machado, a two-time winner at third base in the American League, lost tonight to the Rangers' Adrian Beltre. Davis, a two-time finalist at first base, lost to the Rangers' Mitch Moreland. Beltre also received the honor in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012. Moreland is a...

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Orioles outright Jed Bradley

November 08, 2016, 9:31am

Orioles

The Orioles cleared more room on their 40-man roster this afternoon by outrighting left-hander Jed Bradley to Triple-A Norfolk. The move leaves them with 33 on the roster and it comes as no surprise. Bradley was viewed as left-handed bullpen depth after the Orioles claimed him from the Braves on Oct. 7. There were early signs that he would come off the 40-man later, with the hope that he'd pass through waivers. Bradley, 26, went 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA over six relief appearances with the Braves,...

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Gold Gloves, free agency and more

November 07, 2016, 5:02pm

Orioles

The Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners will be announced tonight on ESPN. The Orioles have two American League finalists, with Manny Machado at third base and Chris Davis at first. Machado is competing against the Rangers' Adrian Beltre and the Mariners' Kyle Seager. Davis is competing against the Royals' Eric Hosmer and the Rangers' Mitch Moreland. I'm not expecting the Orioles to bring home a winner this year. Machado won it in 2013 and 2015, and he also won a Platinum Glove in 2013....