Trade the stars? O's not going there right now

Trade the stars? O's not going there right now
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette made it very clear yesterday, but it was no surprise anyway, that the Orioles are not shopping closer Zach Britton and/or third baseman Manny Machado. They are players the Orioles are looking to build around - two of their top core players - not players they want to subtract from a contending team. Or at least a team that has designs on contending again in 2017. The issue the Orioles are facing is trying to win in the present...
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Wrapping up the 10th day of workouts

Wrapping up the 10th day of workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter tried to provide some clarity to the Chris Tillman injury that kept the right-hander out of today's intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium. We know it's a core muscle injury and it's serious enough that he didn't pitch today and won't work out on Monday. However, Showalter also noted that the team is being cautious and no MRI is scheduled at this point. "He said it doesn't bother him running or throwing," Showalter said. "Right now, it's...
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Orioles fighting for third place

Orioles fighting for third place
The Orioles will try to play a game tonight at its regular starting time and without the aid of a tarp or 5,000 tons of drying compound. Are they asking too much? We're down to the final series of the season, as long as Joaquin lets them play. The Orioles need to sweep the Yankees to finish at .500 and avoid their first losing season since 2011. The Orioles are 7-9 against the Yankees this season, but 4-2 at Camden Yards. They're 36-37 versus the American League East. They still didn't know...
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More on the coaching staff and tonight's game

More on the coaching staff and tonight's game
If the Orioles are going to offer contracts to their entire coaching staff, they shouldn't wait too long on pitching coach Dave Wallace. Wallace could be one of the more attractive free agents on the market this winter. A few teams already are checking on his availability. Executive vice president Dan Duquette told me in Boston that the club was still in "the process" of working on new deals. He hoped to have everyone back for 2016. Manager Buck Showalter said earlier this month that he...
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Leftovers from last night and what's cooking tonight

Leftovers from last night and what's cooking tonight
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has two lineups sitting on his desk for tonight's series finale against the Yankees. One lineup includes center fielder Adam Jones and the other does not. Jones was held out of last night's 2-1 win while he continued to receive treatment on his sore right shoulder. Showalter could decide to give Jones extended rest by not playing him tonight, followed by the off-day on Thursday. "I'd like for him to play," Showalter said after last night's game....
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Orioles draft Oregon pitcher Garrett Cleavinger in third round (updated)

Orioles draft Oregon pitcher Garrett Cleavinger in third round (updated)
The Orioles used their third-round pick in the First-Year Player Draft, the 102nd overall, to select Oregon left-hander Garrett Cleavinger. Baseball America rated Cleavinger as the 185th-best player in the draft. Here's the report: The Ducks rallied in the season's second half, riding Cleavinger and Stephen Nogosek down the stretch as a two-man bullpen tandem. Cleavinger has been a consistent performer even though, for the most part, his velocity has sat more in the 92-93 mph range this...
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Day Two of the Winter Meetings

Day Two of the Winter Meetings
SAN DIEGO - If Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette really had a sense of humor, he would have greeted reporters in his suite yesterday while wearing a Blue Jays cap. Too soon? It's pointless to keep asking Duquette about his reported desire to join the Blue Jays as president/CEO. He isn't going to confirm it and he isn't going to provide a stern denial. He's just going to stress that his focus remains on the Orioles. Keep squinting while reading between the lines, but don't...
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Orioles continue to honor Monica Barlow (updated)

Orioles continue to honor Monica Barlow (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are wearing orange Lungevity T-shirts at batting practice today to honor late public relations director Monica Pence Barlow, who passed away Feb. 28 after a prolonged battle with Stage IV lung cancer. The shirts read: Lungevity Find it. Treat it. Live. In memory of Monica A contingent of about 30 Orioles, including manager Buck Showalter, executive vice president Dan Duquette, players and staff flew into Virginia Friday evening to attend a gathering of family and...
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