masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles executive vice president Dan Duquette referred to the 2016 season as “a personal favorite of mine.” It could have ended more favorably, but he found plenty of good in it.
“We had some great performances along the way. I’m going to hit on a few high points,” Duquette said at Thursday’s press conference.
“The Orioles continue to be one of the most powerful clubs in the league. We led the league in home runs this year. We had five guys with over 25 home runs, which is a really…

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette referred to the 2016 season as “a personal favorite of mine.” It could have ended more favorably, but he found plenty of good in it.

“We had some great performances along the way. I’m going to hit on a few high points,” Duquette said at Thursday’s press conference.

“The Orioles continue to be one of the most powerful clubs in the league. We led the league in home runs this year. We had five guys with over 25 home runs, which is a really terrific achievement. And then of course we had the home run leader in (Mark) Trumbo, and we’ve had the home run leader for the last four years. Chris Davis twice, Nelson Cruz and Mark Trumbo this year.

“Our clubs continue to play very good defense. Over the past five years we’ve led the majors in home runs and we’ve committed the fewest errors. The Orioles actually continue to have the best record over the last five years and three postseason appearances, which is something we’re very proud of. Our bullpen had the lowest ERA in the American League. (Zach) Britton and (Brad) Brach made the All-Star team and then Mychal Givens and Donnie Hart really came on. Two kids who came up through the farm system had terrific years to join Britton and Brach at the back of the bullpen.

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“Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman came through terrific, continued to improve. Actually, our starting pitching improved as the year went on. We actually had the best ERA in the big leagues for the last month of the season, which should bode well for next year. We’ve continued to develop our pitching staff over the season and the development of those young pitchers in addition with some of the veterans that we have should be able to help us in the future.”

Duquette also mentioned the contributions from Oliver Drake, Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright, all three drafted and developed by the Orioles, “career years” from Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop, and the catching depth that still exists after Jonah Heim was traded to the Rays for Steve Pearce. He thanked the fans for being engaged and passionate about the Orioles.

“That was good,” said manager Buck Showalter, sitting next to Duquette.

“Well, you’ve got to hit the high points,” Duquette replied.

* Dave Wallace, now retired as Orioles pitching coach, mentioned Gausman’s development as one of his proudest moments on the job. Gausman is going to miss Wallace.

“Wally was a very big part of what we have done here the past couple years,” Gausman wrote in a text message. “He has so much experience in the game and you have to respect the many pitchers that he helped guide throughout his long career. He has helped me so much in the last couple years and really pushed me to be the best pitcher I can be. He will be greatly missed.”

* Is Chris Tillman a legitimate staff ace? Duquette thinks so and repeated it at the press conference.

“I think Tillman is a legitimate ace, OK?” he said. “If you look at what he’s done over the last several years in the American League, he’s one of the top pitchers. He’s up there in terms of wins and innings pitched. He’s a workhorse. He does the work.

“He’s a legitimate stopper for us. When we lose three, four, five games, Chris Tillman stepped up this year and he put an end to that. He was a legit, top-of-the-rotation starter and he has been for us for a couple of years.”

* The Orioles could make another attempt to sign Tillman to an extension before he hits free agency following the 2017 season. The same is true of Machado, a free agent after the 2018 season.

They also could make their first attempt with Schoop, though he can’t become a free agent until 2020.

“We’re just finishing the regular season and I’m sure we’ll have time to take a look at that,” Duquette said. “All of those players have done a great job for us. We have explored extensions in the past, in fact a couple times each, with Tillman and Machado. We haven’t approached Jon Schoop on a long-term basis yet, but I’m sure we’ll have time to do that when it’s appropriate.”

What about Britton, a leading candidate for the American League Cy Young Award?

“Is Britton a free agent after this year? He’s got two more years,” Duquette said, knowing the answer all along.

“When you have a great year, you get a good raise in the system and we had a couple guys who had really good years who will be up for significant raises and significant bumps in their compensation and they’re already in the arbitration system.”

* Left-hander Jed Bradley, signed off waivers Friday afternoon from the Braves, played for Youse’s Orioles under scout Dean Albany. He already had a connection to the organization.

There are no assurances that Bradley will stay on the 40-man roster and report to spring training, but for now the former first-round pick of the Brewers is providing left-handed depth in the bullpen.

“He’s done well, particularly against left-handers,” Duquette said. “Looks like he could help the major league team. He pitched primarily as a starter, but we’ll probably look at him in relief.”

Bradley has a minor league option.