The Orioles have made the following roster move:
- INF Livan Soto has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.
0 Comments
Whether you know him from his broadcasting work in Major League Baseball, through his appearances back in the day on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, as a television actor, for his role in Miller Lite commercials or as Harry Doyle from the movie Major League, you probably know about Bob Uecker.
A former player, a Ford C. Frick winner in the Hall of Fame as broadcaster, accomplished funny man and actor, he was all of that and yet so much more.
One of the wonderful all-time characters in the game, Uecker led a full and amazing life. A life that ended when he passed away yesterday at age 90.
Carson once held up a picture of Uecker drinking out of a bottle during what looked like a victory celebration and ask about what they were celebrating then?
“No, that was me getting ready for a game,” Uecker deadpanned and Carson, as usual, was rolling with laughter. When he first appeared on his show, Carson once asked sidekick Ed McMahon, “did that guy really play?”
So, anything going on today?
We’re still waiting for an outcome with infielder Livan Soto, who was designated for assignment on Jan. 10 when the Orioles claimed right-hander Roansy Contreras on waivers from the Reds.
A week has passed, which could bring an announcement later today. Catcher René Pinto was designated on Jan. 3 and the Diamondbacks claimed him on the 10th. But catcher Blake Hunt was designated Monday, and the Orioles traded him to the Mariners Wednesday for cash considerations.
In one of those baseball twists, the Orioles designated Contreras for assignment yesterday while claiming infielder Jacob Amaya, a former top 30 prospect, on waivers from the White Sox.
There will be a quiz later.
The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
- Claimed INF Jacob Amaya off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.
- Designated RHP Roansy Contreras for assignment.
The offseason roster churn continued today for the Orioles and pitcher Roansy Contreras.
The club claimed infielder Jacob Amaya on waivers from the White Sox and designated Contreras for assignment. The 40-man roster remains full.
Amaya, 26, was designated for assignment on Jan. 8 to create a spot for Jose Rojas. The White Sox claimed him on waivers from the Astros in August.
The right-handed hitting Amaya was a Dodgers 11-round pick in the 2017 draft out of South Hills High School in California. He appeared in four games with the Marlins in 2023, one with the Astros last year and 23 with Chicago, batting a combined .182/.222/.195. He went 12-for-67 (.179) for the White Sox.
Amaya has experience at second base, shortstop and third base. He could report to spring training and vie for a utility job if he remains in the organization.
With Cedric Mullins set as the O’s center fielder, what do the outfield corners look like? Tyler O’Neill, who signed a free agent deal for three years for $49.5 million that included an opt out after one season, is expected to get many of the starts in right field. Young Heston Kjerstad is also part of that right-field mix no doubt with Colton Cowser, who finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, mostly in left field.
O’Neill, who turns 30 on June 22, last year for Boston made 56 starts in left field, 34 in right field and 17 as the DH. He was named the Red Sox Comeback Player of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America's Boston chapter. O’Neill missed 27 games due to three stints on the injured list.
But over 113 games and 473 plate appearances with Boston, he hit .241/.336/.511/.847 with a 132 OPS+ that was just below Anthony Santander’s 134. Santander is still available in free agency.
O’Neill was a prolific batter versus lefty pitching last season, hitting .313/.430/.750/1.180 with a wRC+ of 215 off southpaws. Against right-handers he batted .209/.290/.403/.693 for a wRC+ of 91. Now he can take aim at the closer fences in left-field and left-center at Oriole Park.
A Gold Glover in the outfield in 2020 and 2021, O’Neill has made 36 career starts in center field and could spell Mullins there at times as Mullins hit just .196 with a .506 OPS in 2024 versus left-handed pitching.
Before I crank out another mailbag, let’s turn the tables again with me supplying a couple of questions. Give me your feedback.
We’ve pondered whether Zach Eflin or Grayson Rodriguez would be the No. 1 starter as the roster’s currently set, who’s the No. 5 starter, the chances that Jackson Holliday platoons, how much Heston Kjerstad plays, whether the Orioles trade for Luis Castillo, if the Orioles are done making moves for position players, whether Nick Gordon make the team, should Albert Suárez start or relieve, who’s a dark horse candidate, how Tomoyuki Sugano will adapt, which starters go to the bullpen, and whether the Orioles can count on Jorge Mateo on Opening Day.
Here are two more for you to ponder.
Would the Orioles trade Ryan Mountcastle?
Pretty much anything is possible, and here’s one reason why the Orioles could be motivated to do it: They don’t have room for another infielder.
Let’s say, for example, that the Orioles want to carry Coby Mayo or Emmanuel Rivera on Opening Day, or a position player is available who intrigues them. I’d expect Heston Kjerstad to make the club as a fourth outfielder and designated hitter. They’d need to tackle the infield.
Mateo has to prove that he can be ready for Opening Day after his elbow reconstructive surgery. A move to the injured list would solve the problem. Otherwise, Ramón Urías could get bumped, but he’s a valuable utility player and he’s out of options. Perhaps he’s the trade candidate if Mateo is fully recovered and gets sufficient at-bats.
Holliday has two options, but he’s supposed to be a regular presence at second base, with Jordan Westburg the primary starter at third. Holliday would have to play his way off the roster in spring training. I don’t see the Orioles trading him.
Teams inquired about Mountcastle at the trade deadline and the Orioles were willing to listen, but they’d have to trust Mayo to share first with Ryan O’Hearn or give Rivera, who signed for $1 million to avoid arbitration and is out of options, a more regular role. Mountcastle received a $6.787 million contract last Thursday in his second year of arbitration eligibility.
Now, here are a few reasons why the Orioles might not be motivated to trade him:
They slanted too far left offensively, which led to the signings of right-handed hitting outfielder Tyler O’Neill and backup catcher Gary Sánchez. Mountcastle provides power from the right side and the wall is moving in, which should increase his home run total. He was robbed 11 times after the Orioles pushed it back, the most in the majors.
Also, Mountcastle is a back-to-back Gold Glove finalist and the Orioles put a lot of emphasis on their defense. This isn’t a minor consideration.
To get a No. 1 starter in a trade could require peeling a player off the major league roster rather than just moving a few prospects. The Mariners look like a match. They have the pitching and could use a corner infielder.
Outfielder Anthony Santander reportedly would be willing to accept a shorter-term free-agent contract after initially wanting five years, but the Orioles intend to play O’Neill on a regular basis, they want to give Kjerstad more consistent at-bats, and roster space currently is lacking. The Orioles would need to switch to five outfielders and six infielders.
How good is this bullpen?
It may not be finished, but the current group looks impressive.
Andrew Kittredge signed a one-year deal that guarantees $10 million and really strengthens the bridge to Félix Bautista. He also gives the Orioles another reliever with some closing experience, which is important with Bautista returning from Tommy John surgery and missing the 2024 season.
Kittredge made a career-high 74 appearances last season with the Cardinals and posted a 2.80 ERA. His 1.5 bWAR was the second-best of his career. He’s a swing-and-miss guy – an example is his 41.3 percent whiff rate with his slider – and he doesn’t walk many hitters. He has extensive experience pitching in the division. And the Orioles hold a $9 million option on his contract if they want to keep him.
This signing covers for Jacob Webb being non-tendered. The ‘pen also is without left-hander Danny Coulombe, and the Orioles could make another move before Opening Day. Otherwise, Bautista and Kittredge could be joined by Yennier Cano, Seranthony Domínguez, Cionel Pérez, Gregory Soto, Keegan Akin and Suárez, who looks like he will be squeezed from the rotation.
Suárez is out of options. What happens to him if another reliever receives a major league deal with every intention of breaking camp with the team and the Orioles resist a six-man rotation?
The questions just don't stop.
Orioles' relievers ranked 23rd in the majors last season with a 4.22 ERA after being fifth in 2023 at 3.55. Adding Bautista and Kittredge, along with full seasons from Domínguez and Soto, could get them closer to
The Orioles have made the following roster move:
- Traded C Blake Hunt to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.
The Orioles today announced that they opened the 2024-25 International Signing Period with 22 contract agreements. Highlighting the Orioles’ 2024-25 international signing class are: shortstop JOSÉ LUIS PEÑA, outfielder JOHANSE GÓMEZ, shortstop MEYKEL BARO, shortstop RONALD TERRERO, catcher YEISON ACOSTA, outfielder LISANDRO SANCHEZ, left-handed pitcher KELVIN ZAPATA, and catcher JOSE FLORES. Of the 22 total agreements, 11 are from the Dominican Republic, six are from Venezuela, four are from Cuba, and one is from St. Thomas. The signing class includes eight pitchers, five infielders, five catchers, and four outfielders.
"I am very ecstatic to welcome these remarkable individuals and their families to Birdland,” said KOBY PEREZ, Orioles Vice President, International Scouting and Operations. “We believe that we were able to introduce a new wave of exciting, young players this signing period. These efforts continue to be made possible only through the hard work and commitment of our staff, as well as the continued support of our international operations from Mike Elias and the partnership group.”
Peña, 16, was born in Bani, Dominican Republic. He is ranked as the No. 42 international prospect by Baseball America and No. 47 by MLB Pipeline. He has the chance to be a solid, everyday type of player with a plus hit and power combo, who projects to stay at shortstop long term. Peña possesses a large frame and athletic build, showing great body projection in the future. He has plus-plus bat speed and a short swing that stays through the zone, resulting in baseballs jumping off the bat. He has the hands and feet of a good defender with a plus arm.
Gómez, 17, an outfielder from St. Thomas, is an excellent athlete with a lot of tools. He has the ability to impact the game with his power and speed, projecting as a power hitter and a plus runner. Offensively, he drives the ball to all fields, generates loft, and shows raw power. He profiles as a corner outfielder with great range and a plus arm.
Baro, 16, a native of Havana, Cuba, is an athletic shortstop with speed and power. An excellent athlete, he has the type of speed that makes the defense rush. Baro carries plus bat speed and makes a lot of hard contact, with strength and leverage that can lead to plus power in the future. An alert defender with a quick first step, he displays loose defensive actions and has good lateral mobility. He projects as a five-tool player.
As the Orioles wonder what their 2025 season might look like, they may also ponder what a full year with Jordan Westburg in the lineup could look like?
Westburg played 68 games in 2023 with an OPS of .715 and played 107 last season with an OPS of .792 when he was an American League All-Star.
If we combine those two years he has played in 175 games as an Oriole, taking 675 plate appearances. That is about a full season’s worth, for instance Gunnar Henderson took 719 plate appearances in 2024.
So over those 675 PAs, Westburg has hit .263/.312/.455/.767 and all four seem easily within reach for him or better during a full and healthy year. In those PAs he has hit 43 doubles, seven triples, 21 homers, scored 83 runs, stole 10 bases and drove in 86 runs.
All those numbers also seem within reach and maybe better for Westburg over a full year. It could be production to really help an already good lineup.
Here is one man’s hope that the projected chaos with pitcher Roki Sasaki signing with a big league club as soon as this week could be minimal.
Because he has to be signed as an international amateur, he can sign officially with any of the 30 clubs starting on Wednesday. But he won’t be getting the big free agent money like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried got as he signs as an international amateur. The new signing period begins this Wednesday.
Each team gets a limited pool amount to sign these players and it’s essentially a hard salary cap. A team could trade for up to 60 percent of its original pool. The teams with the largest pools, as of this Wednesday at $7.555 million are Cincinnati, Detroit, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Oakland, Seattle and Tampa Bay.
There are six teams in the next tier with $6.9 million available in their pools and that group includes the Orioles along with Arizona, Cleveland, Colorado, Kansas City and Pittsburgh.
The Orioles have not been linked by any report I have seen in any way to Sasaki. And to likely confirm that he is not signing with the Orioles, or one of 26 other teams, ESPN last night reported that he has a final group of three teams - the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher ANDREW KITTREDGE on a one-year contract for the 2025 season with a club option for 2026.
Kittredge, 34, was 5-5 with one save and a 2.80 ERA (22 ER/70.2 IP) with 60 hits (10 HR), 26 total runs, 20 walks (2 IBB), and 67 strikeouts in a career-high 74 appearances, all in relief, with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024. His 37 holds set the Cardinals single-season record and led the National League, one behind Houston’s Bryan Abreu for the MLB high. Kittredge’s 74 games ranked fifth in the NL. Last season was his first full year since 2021 after undergoing right elbow UCL surgery (Tommy John) in June of 2022 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Kittredge is 23-12 with 16 saves, 52 holds, and a 3.44 ERA (109 ER/285.1 IP) with 268 hits (38 HR), 123 total runs, seven hit batters, 76 walks (13 IBB), and 273 strikeouts in 255 career games (15 starts) over eight seasons between the Cardinals and Rays. He’s posted a 2.48 ERA (48 ER/174.0 IP) since 2021, tied for the seventh-best ERA in the majors among players with at least 150 appearances during that time. He was originally signed by the Seattle Mariners as a non-drafted free agent out of the University of Washington on August 25, 2011. Tampa Bay acquired him along with two players from Seattle in exchange for Taylor Motter and Richie Shaffer on November 18, 2016. He elected free agency following the 2020 season before signing back with the Rays on a minor league deal on December 16, 2020. Kittredge made Tampa Bay’s Opening Day roster in 2021 and was an American League All-Star after posting a 1.47 ERA (7 ER/43.0 IP) through the break that season. St. Louis acquired him from Tampa Bay in exchange for Richie Palacios on January 5, 2024.
To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher BLAKE HUNT has been designated for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.
The Birdland Caravan returns for another three-day winter tour beginning on Jan. 30 at multiple locations throughout the region, and the list of Orioles participants includes high-profile players Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle and Colton Cowser. Jordan Westburg and former No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday also are scheduled to make appearances.
Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde will attend select events. Other players include Ryan O’Hearn, Albert Suárez, Cade Povich and pitching prospect Chayce McDermott.
Caravan stops will be made throughout the state, including Baltimore, Bel Air, Columbia, Ellicott City, Halethorpe and Severn, plus “surprise locations” in Frederick, Harford and Montgomery counties. Fans in Pasadena and Westminster will get the chance to meet and take photos with the Oriole Bird, Mr. Splash and the Camden Franks.
A new feature is the requirement of tickets to attend several events, such as the Kids Rally in Severn, the bowling experience at Bowlero in Columbia, the Orioles PLAY BALL Rookie Clinic in Ellicott City, the Rip and Play event at Bel Air Sports Cards, and every Happy Hour.
Fans must purchase tickets in advance at Orioles.com/Caravan due to limited availability. Profits will benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation supporting impactful community initiatives and programs.
The weekend-long tour returns from January 30-February 1 to bring Orioles baseball directly to fans throughout the region
The Orioles today announced the return of the club’s ‘Birdland Caravan,’ a three-day winter tour, that will take place from Thursday, January 30, through Saturday, February 1, at multiple locations throughout the region. The celebration will include pop-up photo opportunities at surprise locations, community projects, mascot meet and greets, happy hours, and bowling. New to 2025, fans can participate in Karaoke Happy Hour at PBR Baltimore, along with new youth events like the Rip & Play Event at Bel Air Sports Cards, Orioles PLAY BALL Rookie Clinic, and a new family-friendly, interactive Kids Rally.
Current Orioles players participating in select events include COLTON COWSER, GUNNAR HENDERSON, JACKSON HOLLIDAY, CHAYCE McDERMOTT, RYAN MOUNTCASTLE, RYAN O’HEARN, CADE POVICH, ADLEY RUTSCHMAN, ALBERT SUÁREZ, and JORDAN WESTBURG. Additionally, Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager MIKE ELIAS and Manager BRANDON HYDE will attend select events throughout the weekend.
Designed to take the Oriole Park experience directly to the fans, Birdland Caravan will make stops throughout Maryland including Baltimore, Bel Air, Columbia, Ellicott City, Halethorpe, and Severn, along with three additional surprise locations in Frederick, Harford, and Montgomery Counties. Fans in Pasadena and Westminster will also have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Oriole Bird, Mr. Splash, and the Camden Franks.
New this year, tickets are required for several key events, including the Kids Rally in Severn, the Bowling Experience at Bowlero Columbia, Orioles PLAY BALL Rookie Clinic in Ellicott City, Rip & Play Event at Bel Air Sports Cards, and all happy hours. This marks an exciting update to enhance the experience and ensure a smooth process for participants. All profits from 2025 Birdland Caravan events will benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation, supporting impactful community initiatives and programs. Fans must purchase tickets in advance as availability will be limited. Tickets are now on sale and available at Orioles.com/Caravan.
The Orioles will play a game, a spring training game, for the first time on February 22nd at home versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. How their lineup will look that day is not important. Can’t read anything into a spring training lineup, especially not the first one of spring.
But how might that lineup look on Opening Day, March 27th at 3:07 p.m. at Rogers Centre against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Rather than wait for that big day, we could make a guess today. Doesn’t cost anything and no matter what we project, no one will get hurt. Unless it’s a player’s feelings that we leave out. But that’s rather unlikely too, so let’s proceed.
First the Blue Jays project to have five righties in their rotation possibly starting with Kevin Gausman or Jose Berrios. So we know it’s likely going to be a right-hander versus the Orioles that day and we’ll go with that.
Everyone’s lineup might be different for different reasons. Here is mine as of Jan. 13.
This is a bit random today and not related to any recent signings or O’s news at all. But today, just for the heck of it, I take a look at some random individual stats from the 2024 season.
Some may be surprising, many will probably not.
But in a game filled with stats - traditional, advanced and otherwise - here are a few more today.
In most cases the numbers are for only O’s players that had enough plate appearances last year to qualify for league leaders, and in most cases I left out players who during the year had only a couple of dozen plate appearances.
O’s 2024 leaders, pitches per plate appearance:
The Orioles one-year agreement with a club option with right-handed pitcher Andrew Kittredge made the team's strength a bit stronger. The bullpen looks pretty good with a clear eight you would project today to start the year in the bullpen.
That eight includes the club welcoming back All-Star closer Félix Bautista. From the right side, there is also Kittredge, Yennier Cano, Seranthony Domínguez and a long man in Albert Suárez, who right now projects more in the ‘pen than rotation.
From the left side the O’s have Keegan Akin, coming off his big 2024 year, along with Gregory Soto and Cionel Pérez.
The club will clearly be careful and cautious early on with Bautista coming back from Tommy John surgery. If he returns to previous form that would be huge for this team. Remember the guy has a 1.85 ERA, 0.924 WHIP with 14.1 strikeouts per nine in two MLB seasons. At his best, he is among the best closers in the game, a 2023 All-Star when he finished 11th for the American League Cy Young Award.
But as they work him in slowly and perhaps are wary of using him back-to-back games to start the year, they now have many other options for the late innings.
Are the Orioles finished with their roster retooling? Is it safe to post a mock and avoid jumping back into it for revisions?
Camp doesn’t open for about five weeks. Stretch the hamstrings and be prepared to jump.
The Orioles aren’t guaranteeing another free agent signing or a trade before pitchers and catchers report. However, they aren’t shut down. Pitching is always desired, whether it’s starters or relievers. Business and minds are open.
“We like the strength of the team right now,” said executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. “We think we’ve got a really great defense, an offense that has proven what it can do and I think still has a lot of ceiling to it as these young players continue to grow, hopefully, and a right-handed bat like Tyler O’Neill in the mix and Gary Sánchez in the backup catcher spot. We really like the look of the offense and defense, and the rotation has a lot of depth, a lot of options, a lot of experience. And then there’s also youth in the rotation options that we have. So we think it’s a very strong group that’s going to have us very competitive in the American League East.
“I think the bullpen is also going to be a big strength of this team with a lot of experience and also upside and just all-around talent there and a lot of hard throwers. So we feel the team is in a really good spot, but we’re very happy that we’ve got a ton offseason left, and we will be searching every day for deals and upgrades where we can find them, whether that’s the remaining free-agent market or trade possibilities. And we’ve seen that sometimes those things can happen late close to camp. We’re going to stay in the mode of looking for ways to upgrade the team.”
The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
- Claimed RHP Roansy Contreras off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.
- Designated INF Livan Soto for assignment.
- C René Pinto claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.
Having a big season for an MLB player can be a blessing or a curse. Not really a curse, like selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees cursed the Red Sox all those years, but maybe burden is the right word. Now fans and perhaps even team management expect more of the same.
For Orioles center field Cedric Mullins, his magical 2021 season now looks like an outlier. He has not produced similar stats since. He started the All-Star game that year – his only All-Star appearance – won a Silver Slugger and finished ninth in the AL MVP race.
Over 159 games he hit .291/.360/.518/.878 and produced the first season of 30 homers and steals in O’s history with exactly 30 homers and 30 stolen bases.
Mullins’ .878 OPS that year ranked eighth-best in the American League in a season when only five players in the league topped .900. His OPS for the year topped several prominent players, a list that includes Yordan Álvarez, Marcus Semien, Teoscar Hernández, J.D. Martinez, Xander Bogaerts, Salvador Pérez and Carlos Correa.
But since 2022, his OPS numbers, while consistent, have been well behind that one great year. He was at .721 in 2022, .721 in 2023 and .710 last year, producing OPS+ totals of 107, 101 and 107 after putting up 137 for 2021.
