More of this, that and the other

The agreement with reliever Enoli Paredes yesterday on a minor league deal is the latest piece of business that’s so prevalent in the weeks following the World Series. Common throughout baseball and lacking in pizazz. More routine than riveting.

The last transaction from the Orioles was listed Friday, with pitcher Carson Ragsdale designated for assignment, though the club confirmed it the previous night while making several changes to the 40-man roster.

The moves this month aren’t generating much excitement among fans, but that’s typical for November. Depth signings and claims are easier to consummate and necessary to supply minor league teams and perhaps increase competitions in spring training.

Go back a year ago.

The Orioles signed right-hander Rodolfo Martinez to a minor league contract on Nov. 1, 2024. Three days later, they claimed right-hander Thaddeus Ward and catcher René Pinto on waivers and declined reliever Danny Coulombe’s $4 million option, all of it unfolding while I underwent open heart aortic valve replacement surgery, which made me a little late in reporting it.

Anything else happen that day?

I’m kidding. Let’s stick to the Orioles.

No other transactions were announced until the 13^th, when the Orioles signed free agent infielder Vimael Machín to a minor league deal, followed the next day by right-hander Robinson Martínez’s minor league deal.

The month concluded with three more minor league signings on the 25^th: left-hander Raúl Alcantara, outfielder Franklin Barreto and infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson (listed as a second baseman).

Martinez appeared in a combined 25 games with High-A Aberdeen and Triple-A Norfolk and posted a 4.82 ERA and 1.858 WHIP with 24 walks in 28 innings. The 100-102 mph fastball that made him a spring training media obsession, even in live batting practice, meant nothing during the season.

Ward was outrighted on Dec. 6, still hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2023 with the Nationals and is a minor league free agent. Pinto also failed to earn a promotion or make it through January with the Orioles before the Diamondbacks claimed him on waivers. Robinson Martinez and Alcantara were released from Double-A Chesapeake’s roster on Aug. 2. Barreto hasn’t played in the majors since 2020 with the Athletics and Angels, and he spent 2025 on the injured list before his release Aug. 31.

Machín and Jackson are the only successes out of the group, and only the latter made a contribution to the Orioles.

Machín was an offensive machine in spring training and hit .286/.347/.476 with 28 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs and 79 RBIs in 124 games with Norfolk, but he went 1-for-11 with a home run during a brief stint with the Orioles, who outrighted him in late August. He became a free agent on Sept. 29.

Jackson could make the Opening Day roster next spring after batting .276/.328/.447 with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 21 RBIs in 48 games. No one took greater advantage of his opportunity in the organization. You just never know with these moves.

Maybe Paredes plows through Grapefruit League hitters and forces his way into the rebuilt bullpen. Maybe those 6.8 walks per nine innings that he’s averaging in 55 major league games force him down to the minors.  

* MLB.com published its “way-too-early” power rankings for 2026 and listed the Orioles 15^th, nine spots above their 2025 finish.

An important point here is that, as the name suggests, it’s much too soon to read anything into it. Rosters aren’t anywhere close to being set. How can anyone predict a team’s record or playoff odds in early November?

Can’t be done.

Even so, it provides material while the offseason builds momentum.

The Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox, Phillies, Cubs, Brewers, Astros, Padres, Tigers, Braves and Rangers are stacked on top of the Orioles.

The Orioles’ ranking is accompanied by the following text:

“It’s put-up-or-shut-up time in Baltimore. Orioles fans have been patient for long enough. This was supposed to be the new golden age of Orioles baseball, and they are still waiting for that first playoff win since 2014 … and just had a losing season. There’s more than enough talent here for new manager Craig Albernaz to turn things around quickly, though.”

* Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz was the unanimous winner of the American League’s Rookie of the Year award.

Kurtz received all 30 first-place votes. Teammate Jacob Wilson was second, followed by the Red Sox’s Roman Anthony, Royals’ Noah Cameron and White Sox’s Colson Montgomery.

Also receiving votes were the Red Sox’s Carlos Narváez, the Rangers’ Jack Leiter, the Yankees’ Will Warren, the Twins’ Luke Keaschall, the Blue Jays’ Braydon Fisher, the White Sox’s Shane Smith, the Astros’ Cam Smith, the Rays’ Chandler Simpson, the Athletics’ Luis Morales and the Yankees’ Jasson Domínguez.

Nothing for Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano.