masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter stated today that they want to remain in their current roles in 2016 and downplayed reports of friction between them, laughing at various points when asked about it.
“It’s a great honor to manage the Baltimore Orioles and I don’t plan to do anything else,” Showalter said, adding that this will be his “last rodeo.”
“It’s healthy when you have different styles of leadership,” Duquette said.
I’ll post more comments…

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter stated today that they want to remain in their current roles in 2016 and downplayed reports of friction between them, laughing at various points when asked about it.

“It’s a great honor to manage the Baltimore Orioles and I don’t plan to do anything else,” Showalter said, adding that this will be his “last rodeo.”

“It’s healthy when you have different styles of leadership,” Duquette said.

I’ll post more comments from today’s news conference at Camden Yards, but here are a few more items of note:

* Duquette stressed that the first priority this winter is improving the pitching staff. He wants to find a No. 1 starter and said the club has the funds and resources to do it.

* Once again, the Orioles also want to improve their on-base percentage.

Manny Machado smiles orange.jpg* Duquette said negotiating an extension for third baseman Manny Machado isn’t a “back burner issue” this winter, but there are more urgent matters to address. He’s glad that Machado expressed his desire to stay in the organization beyond the expiration of his current contract and the sides could revisit talks at a later date.

* Of course, Duquette and Showalter expressed the desire to keep all six of the pending free agents. Duquette said the Orioles have the funds to field a competitive team.

* Nothing new on the coaching staff. Duquette and Showalter want to keep the group intact and continue discussions. Duquette said the Orioles are trying to “get that resolved as soon as we can.” However, a few coaches are drawing interest from other clubs.

* Duquette said qualifying offers are under consideration for Chris Davis, Wei-Yin Chen and Matt Wieters.

* Duquette said center fielder Adam Jones has “earned the right to express himself” if he wants to arrange a meeting. Duquette warned, however, that Jones may not have a full understanding of the budget issues that accompany roster decicsions.

* Dr. James Andrews examined Hunter Harvey’s right elbow today and recommended four-to-six weeks of rest before the resumption of a throwing program. No surgery at this point.

* Second baseman Jonathan Schoop received good news today on the MRI arthrogram taken on his right knee. The swelling is down.