masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWhile the Orioles are fielding calls from numerous teams on a variety of players, they still seem more intent on moving their veterans who are pending free agents, a stance they’ve taken since early in the process.
There’s been interest in second baseman Jonathan Schoop, starters Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy and reliever Mychal Givens. Only Schoop can leave via free agency after 2019.
Again, executive vice president Dan Duquette will listen on anyone. His phone isn’t set up to cut off…

While the Orioles are fielding calls from numerous teams on a variety of players, they still seem more intent on moving their veterans who are pending free agents, a stance they’ve taken since early in the process.

There’s been interest in second baseman Jonathan Schoop, starters Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy and reliever Mychal Givens. Only Schoop can leave via free agency after 2019.

Again, executive vice president Dan Duquette will listen on anyone. His phone isn’t set up to cut off certain calls. He hasn’t blocked any of the executives trying to reach him. But the club’s focus seems to be aimed more at reliever Brad Brach and center fielder Adam Jones.

Jones, of course, would need to waive his 10-5 rights and hasn’t been approached to do so without Duquette having an acceptable offer in hand.

Adam Jones back black.jpg“They can say whatever they want and propose whatever they want,” he said. “But, ‘Yeah, you know? Doesn’t work for me.’ It’s interesting. We shall see what happens. I don’t know what the plan is here for the future or if I’m even part of it. Let’s see what interest can be generated and see how my representation and my family feel about something that could happen.”

It’s easy to ascertain that Jones would find it difficult to leave a city where his charitable work has been extensive, his influence unquestionable. And that the Orioles envision a scenario in which he re-signs over the winter, perhaps on a three-year deal as rumored to have been discussed internally during the off-season.

“It wouldn’t be easy,” Jones said. “My thing is, what would happen to all the things I’ve done here? Who would pick up the slack? Who would pick up all the community involvement? A lot of that stuff needs to continue. Those kids are counting on the funding to continue the programs they are striving and grinding their way through.

“There are a lot of dynamics to me here in Baltimore. It’s not just between the lines, between the city limits, county limits.”

* Schoop has hit five home runs in six games since the Orioles traded his best friend, Manny Machado, who also homered last night. Leaders in the clubhouse have been fading away. Schoop may be ready to assume the role.

“A lot of people, you’d love to follow his lead,” said manager Buck Showalter. “He’s just real sincere. When he was struggling, he wore it so much because he wanted to do it. Not necessarily for himself. It was more from a team standpoint. He knows when the team is struggling how much …

“Here’s a guy who drove in 100 runs and hit around .300 last year. Imagine having that type of talent and not being able to get a return for it in a real time of need. It really wore on Jon. I’m glad seeing it. But Jon hasn’t changed at all. Jon is the same guy, he’s always approachable. He’s just a pleasure to be around every day. It’s obvious his mom and dad did a great job with him.”

* First baseman Chris Davis, who had multiple extra-base hits in the same game for the first time this season, has noticed an unusual feeling inside the clubhouse with Machado and Zach Britton gone.

“There’s no doubt,” he said. “I felt that way when Manny was traded and, obviously, not long after, Zach was traded. It seems like there might be more moves in the future for us, and I think it’s something that we all realized was a possibility, but you don’t know how you’re going to feel until it actually happens and it’s definitely a different atmosphere.

“I don’t want to say ‘quieter.’ It’s just different. I preached at spring training last year and earlier this year how special it is trying to play with the same group of guys for as many years as we did, and I think some of the younger guys don’t realize how special it is to have the same group together year in and year out.

“We’re starting to see some of those guys go and it’s tough, but we’ve got to make the best of the situation we’re in.”

* A scout from outside the organization who’s seen plenty of Yefry Ramírez this season projects the rookie right-hander as a No. 4 starter with the ability to move into the middle of the rotation.

The Orioles would take that kind of progress from a pitcher acquired from the Yankees at last year’s non-waiver trade deadline for an international signing bonus slot.

The same scout has been impressed by left-handed reliever Paul Fry, obtained from the Mariners in April 2017 for, yes, an international signing bonus slot.

The Orioles surrendered slot No. 105, which was worth $198,000.

Fry, who turned 26 yesterday, has been charged with only two earned runs (six total), walked two batters and struck out 13 in 12 2/3 innings.

A scoring change from a July 20 game in Toronto took away a hit from catcher Russell Martin in the 10th inning, gave shortstop Tim Beckham an error and removed an earned run from Fry’s line. The error extended the inning and Fry took the loss after a walk and Aledmys Díaz’s walk-off single through the left side of the infield.

* Triple-A Norfolk catcher Andrew Susac, who’s been challenged to stay healthy throughout his career, appears headed back to the minor league disabled list.

Susac took a foul ball off his left forearm yesterday in the first inning of Game 2 against Syracuse. Chance Sisco replaced him after catching all seven innings in Game 1.

Of course, the second game lasted 13 innings to raise Sisco’s total to 20 for the day. Who didn’t see that coming?

The Tides also played a doubleheader on Wednesday and Sisco caught seven innings in the nightcap.

Norfolk won both games on walk-off home runs, including Breyvic Valera‘s two-run, inside-the-park homer in the 13th. Valera was part of the package obtained from the Dodgers for Manny Machado.

Former Orioles outfielder Alejandro De Aza failed to make a leaping catch at the fence and the ball rolled toward the right field line as Cedric Mullins scored and Valera followed him to the plate.

In the opener, Luis Sardiñas led off the seventh inning with a solo homer to give Norfolk a 2-1 win.

* Reliever Jhan Mariñez made his 100th career appearance in the majors last night. And yet, how many people know that he pronounces his first name “John?”

Mariñez’s throwing error in the seventh inning on a weak roller near the mound allowed the Rays’ fourth run to score, and it really hurt after Davis’ home run in the eighth reduced the lead to 4-3.

* The Orioles were disappointed that pitcher Jason Garcia signed with the Rockies as a minor league free agent rather than stay in the organization that acquired him as a Rule 5 pick and introduced him to the majors in 2015.

Garcia had a miserable 2017 season at Double-A Bowie, posting a 5.26 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 38 relief appearances, but officials noted some improvements late in the year.

So, where is Garcia today?

He hasn’t pitched since the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats released him in May. He was sporting a 9.64 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in 15 games and Eastern League opponents were batting .365 against him.

* Jose Mesa Jr., one of the Orioles’ Rule 5 picks who was returned to the Yankees in spring training, remains on the disabled list. He hasn’t pitched since May 17 against Bowie, when he allowed two runs and four hits in two innings.

Mesa registered a 5.19 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in nine relief appearances, with 12 walks and 21 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings.

The Orioles thought Mesa had a legitimate shot at breaking camp with them, but his velocity was down and his command awful. He allowed five runs and 10 hits and walked seven batters in 7 2/3 innings.