Steve Melewski

Pondering the Orioles' 2012 payroll

November 16, 2011, 5:45pm

Orioles

A lot of fans and reporters are wondering what the Orioles' total team payroll will be for the 2012 season. While the Orioles -and just about every other team out there - are very unlikely to disclose their projected budget for next season, we can at least make a good guess at where the Orioles are right now with their 2012 payroll. In compiling some salary numbers from two excellent Web sites in Cot's Baseball Contracts and MLBTradeRumors, I figure the Orioles will be between $70 and $75...

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Is MLB about to limit spending on the draft?

November 15, 2011, 3:34pm

Orioles

Is MLB about to limit spending on the draft?

If Major League Baseball is looking to limit spending on draft picks in the new collective bargaining agreement, I am strongly against that. Clubs should be allowed to spend whatever amount they choose on the draft. It is one area where the so-called small market teams can spend with the big boys. They can't match the 25-man roster payrolls of the Yankees and Red Sox, but they can outspend them for draft picks. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports published this story last night. Here is an excerpt...

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How active should the Orioles be in free agency?

November 14, 2011, 6:17pm

Orioles

When I wrote over the weekend about Yu Darvish, many of your replies surprised me. I didn't keep a tally, but it sure seemed most fans that left a comment were against going after Darvish via free agency if he is posted if the total price tag for a posting fee and contract would total $100 million or more. I admire your restraint considering how badly the Orioles need pitching. But many of you just felt that is too much money and that is taking too big a risk on Darvish. I am very intrigued...

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In the game of compensatory draft picks, the Orioles have come up short

November 13, 2011, 3:32pm

Orioles

No matter how you feel about Joe Jordan's record as the Orioles' scouting director from 2005 through 2011, there is one area that hurt the Orioles during his time with the club that was out of the control of the scouting department. The Orioles had fewer picks than their American League East rivals in the top three rounds during those seven drafts - in some cases many fewer picks - as other teams took advantage of the draft rules to obtain more picks. They got many compensation picks for...

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An opinion on baseball in Venezuela and a look at Yu Darvish

November 11, 2011, 6:34pm

Orioles

An opinion on baseball in Venezuela and a look at Yu Darvish

In recent years, there has been talk of the Orioles increasing their presence in Venezuela. It is a nation that has produced current players like Asdrubal Cabrera, Felix Hernandez, Victor Martinez, Freddy Garcia, Magglio Ordonez, Johan Santana and former Oriole Melvin Mora to name just a few. The kidnapping this week of Nationals' catcher Wilson Ramos sheds light on the dangers that pro baseball players from that country face. It makes you wonder if any of this impacts the Orioles and other...

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Posada to the Orioles? Don't see much chance for that

November 10, 2011, 5:21pm

Orioles

For the life of me I don't see Jorge Posada, who is a free agent, as a fit for the Orioles. Jon Heyman of SI.com tweeted this yesterday: "If posada decides to play, i'm thinking orioles or marlins. but i hope he retires. great career. terrific guy." Posada turned 40 last summer and while the Orioles need a backup catcher and might have some DH at-bats available next season as well, I don't see a player at that stage of his career being anyone the Orioles could use in 2012. Posada was...

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One vote for Nolan Reimold as the everyday left fielder

November 09, 2011, 6:26pm

Orioles

One vote for Nolan Reimold as the everyday left fielder

Nolan Reimold began the 2011 season in the lineup at Triple-A Norfolk. He ended it with a huge ninth-inning RBI double for the Orioles against Jonathan Papelbon that capped a big September. Will it be enough to get him in Buck Showalter's starting lineup as a regular in left field in 2012? I say the answer to that should be yes. After a strong rookie season in 2009 and a poor year in 2010, Reimold's bat came to life late last year, again showing fans a glimpse of the kind of player many...

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Ron Hopkins expresses interest in O's scouting director job

November 08, 2011, 5:33pm

Orioles

Ron Hopkins expresses interest in O's scouting director job

One of the first key hires for new Orioles vice president Dan Duquette will be a new scouting director to replace Joe Jordan, who left to take a job with the Phillies. Duquette said yesterday he would consider internal candidates for any openings and the Orioles have a man on the staff now that is interested in the scouting director job. That is Ron Hopkins, who from 2004 through 2009 was the Texas Rangers' scouting director and he joined the Orioles before the 2011 season as a national...

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Going one on one with Dan Duquette

November 08, 2011, 9:05am

Orioles

The man who used to pretend he was Brooks Robinson as a kid and who later delivered newspapers to the Massachusetts home of Mark Belanger made his way into the MASNsports.com studios today for a one-on-one video interview. I had a chance to ask new Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette about getting back into the game, his initial top priorities, working with manager Buck Showalter and more.

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Duquette on staffing, free agency and the minors

November 08, 2011, 7:57am

Orioles

Duquette on staffing, free agency and the minors

After his press conference today, new Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette was asked about staffing and the makeup of his front office. "I staff my office or my team from strength. I try to put the people that are strong in one area, in that area. I try to pair up the person's passion with their strength. Once I decide what people are good at and passionate about, then I assign titles. It's not really about the titles to me. It's about pairing up skills with...

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Winter ball updates

November 07, 2011, 3:02pm

Orioles

Here are some current stats on players from the Orioles organization that are playing in winter ball leagues around the world: In the Dominican: * Pedro Florimon is batting .235/0/1 going 4-for-17 with seven strikeouts. * Pedro Viola is 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA in 11 games. In 7 1/3 he has allowed four hits and one run. * Jose Diaz is 0-0 with an ERA of 0.00 over eight games. In 8 2/3 innings, he has allowed just one hit and no runs with a batting average against of just .038. Austrailian Baseball...

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Looking at some issues facing Dan Duquette

November 06, 2011, 5:12pm

Orioles

Looking at some issues facing Dan Duquette

As Dan Duquette becomes the latest top executive to try and turn the Orioles around, many Orioles fans must be hoping the Buck Showalter-Duquette pairing will be the one to finally take this team back to the top of the standings. While no one can blame fans for being doubters and skeptical about that, a new face at the top does provide hope. Hope that this time some things will be different. Hope that Duquette will bring some fresh ideas and/or staff to the front office. Hope that it all will...

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Will Dan be the man for the Orioles? (updated with deal done)

November 05, 2011, 7:57pm

Orioles

The idea of Orioles fans being held hostage may soon be over. If Dan Duquette gets the general manager's job, the club will have its new top executive and you can get on with your lives, not to mention the rest of the offseason. Personally, I was and remain a big fan of De Jon Watson of the Dodgers. I think this guy is going to be a top GM for someone soon and hope the Orioles didn't miss out on a guy that shows leadership, the ability to produce a solid player development system and...

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A question about the fans: What if they jump ship?

November 04, 2011, 7:37pm

Orioles

A question about the fans: What if they jump ship?

Here is a good question to ponder this weekend: How do you feel about a fan that dumps one team for another? How would feel about an Orioles fan that dumps the Birds for say the Nationals or Red Sox or Yankees or any other baseball team? I think fans have the right to be upset with their team, to rip their team on the message boards and talk shows and clearly they have the right to decide against purchasing any tickets or team merchandise. No one could blame any longtime Orioles fan to be...

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Can the Orioles solve their "perception problem"?

November 03, 2011, 7:00pm

Orioles

This just in: The Orioles are getting crushed by the national columnists right now. ESPN's Buster Olney published a column yesterday that was titled: "Orioles stalled by a perception problem." Here is part of what he wrote: "The Orioles have a significant perception problem now, slowing down a team already viewed within the industry as one that is all horse-and-buggy in a wireless world. Think about what we just saw in the last week: The Orioles - a team with a rich history, a landmark...

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Are the Orioles making any improvements on the international front?

November 02, 2011, 3:46pm

Orioles

The Orioles' international signings in recent years have been rated poor by many of the so-called experts, but there were some indications this year that the Orioles may have made one or two gains on the international front in 2011. While I put almost no stock in a minor league team's record as it relates to their quality of prospects, the Orioles' Dominican Summer League team this year did finish in first place in its division and made the playoffs with a 46-24 record. Jonathan Schoop...

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Markakis on Roberts and an error-free season

November 02, 2011, 7:05am

Orioles

Markakis on Roberts and an error-free season

Nick Markakis has played plenty of games in right field with Brian Roberts patrolling second base. Markakis talked to Roberts recently and hopes Roberts can return to regular duty next season after playing in just 98 combined games the last two years. "I talked to him not too long ago," Markakis said. "I know 100 percent he plans on coming back. He wants to be a part of this as much as anybody else. It's unfortunate with the injury he has right now. It's a long healing process and I hope...

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Markakis updates an injury and talks about Gold Glove

November 02, 2011, 5:52am

Orioles

Markakis updates an injury and talks about Gold Glove

On a conference call to talk about his Rawlings Gold Glove Award, Nick Markakis updated reporters on an injury. If you recall, he was taken out of the last game of the season with a bone bruise in the abdomen area. "It happened a couple of weeks prior to the end of the season, stealing a base, just dove in and hurt myself. As far as healthy right now, I'd say I'm about 70 to 75 percent. Just a slow healing process. I'm taking it easy, resting. That's about all you can do for a bone...

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Xavier Avery talks about being named to AFL Rising Stars Game

November 01, 2011, 8:00pm

Orioles

Xavier Avery talks about being named to AFL Rising Stars Game

Orioles outfield prospect Xavier Avery rode an 11-game hitting tear right onto a roster spot for the East squad in Saturday's Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game. The rosters were released Tuesday and Avery earned a spot on the East squad that will take on the West team Saturday night at 8:10 p.m. Eastern time in a game that will be televised live on the MLB Network. "I'm happy about it. It's a compliment. It's great," Avery said by phone last night from Arizona. In 19 AFL games...

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Should the Orioles pursue Prince Fielder?

October 31, 2011, 7:26pm

Orioles

If the Orioles wind up shocking the baseball world and signing free agent first baseman Prince Fielder this winter, I would have no problem getting on board with that. He would give the team a feared middle-of-the-order slugger who, at 27, could be heading into the best years of his baseball life. People always question his weight, but the guy has played 157 games or more for six straight years. He would provide the team with some needed star power. Since their first-round draft pick is...