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Fielder agrees to terms with Tigers and life goes on

January 24, 2012, 10:18am

Orioles

Fielder agrees to terms with Tigers and life goes on

The Orioles aren't "in on" Prince Fielder anymore, no matter your definition. According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Tigers have reached agreement with Fielder on a nine-year deal worth $214 million. There's your mystery team. Agent Scott Boras never fails to find one. The Tigers lost Victor Martinez to a knee injury that most likely will require season-ending surgery, but they figured to search for a temporary replacement. Early speculation had them interested in Johnny Damon,...

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MASN announces O's spring training broadcast schedule

January 24, 2012, 8:04am

Orioles

MASN announces O's spring training broadcast schedule

MASN, the television home of the Baltimore Orioles, has announced its 2012 spring training schedule. The network will televise six Orioles spring training games and all will appear on MASN HD. The Orioles' March 5 prime time Grapefruit League opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sarasota, Florida, will kick off MASN's spring training coverage. MASN will broadcast five more games from Ed Smith Stadium, the team's spring training home: March 11 against the Boston Red Sox; March 18...

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Matt Wieters: New pitchers make for new challenges

January 23, 2012, 7:23pm

Orioles

Matt Wieters: New pitchers make for new challenges

If there is one player on the Orioles that was tracking the pitching additions executive vice president Dan Duquette made this offseason, it was catcher Matt Wieters. He will have to catch the new pitchers and, in some cases, communicate with players that speak little or no English. "It's going to be a lot of work in spring training, that's for sure," the 25-year-old Wieters said. "Getting to know all the guys that have a chance to make the club or be up at some point during the year,...

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Orioles remove VandenHurk from 40-man roster

January 24, 2012, 5:52am

Orioles

The Orioles made the signing of Wilson Betemit official this morning, and they cleared room for him on the 40-man roster by designating pitcher Rick VandenHurk for assignment. VandenHurk, 26, allowed eight earned runs in nine innings over four games with the Orioles last season. He was 9-13 with a 4.43 ERA in 26 starts for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles acquired VandenHurk from the Marlins on July 31, 2010 for left-hander Will Ohman. He's 8-10 with a 5.97 ERA in 46 major league games,...

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The pitchers say they are ready for rotation battle in camp (with update)

January 22, 2012, 7:48pm

Orioles

The pitchers say they are ready for rotation battle in camp (with update)

I think we heard some comments at FanFest that helped answer some questions about spring training. For one, Nolan Reimold appears to be the clear favorite to be the starting left fielder. It sure seems to be his job to lose, as they say. Buck Showalter confirmed that Mark Reynolds will be the third baseman with Chris Davis at first. And it was pretty much confirmed that Jim Johnson will be in the bullpen, likely as the closer. All of this is subject to a late change, especially pending any...

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Orioles sign veteran infielder Wilson Betemit

January 24, 2012, 6:14am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have signed infielder Wilson Betemit to a two-year contract with a vesting option for 2014. Betemit, 30, batted .285/.343/.452 with eight home runs and 46 RBI in 97 games for Kansas City (57) and Detroit (40) in 2011, including a .303 average and .865 OPS in 263 plate appearances from the left side. He has batted .298/.367/.501 with 54 extra-base hits and 69 RBI in 433 at-bats against right-handed pitching in the last two seasons. Betemit owned an .871 OPS...

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This, that and the other

January 23, 2012, 5:27pm

Orioles

I had an interesting conversation with pitcher Jake Arrieta during Saturday's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. (Is it necessary to say "Baltimore?" I once jumped in the back of a Manhattan cab and told the driver to take me to New York-Penn Station. I'm pretty sure "New York" was implied.) Arrieta repeated that his elbow is 100 percent and he'll be full-go in spring training, the same thing he told reporters last month at Dave and Buster's. He's made an impressive and...

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Quickly visiting the latest Fielder rumor

January 23, 2012, 10:33am

Orioles

Quickly visiting the latest Fielder rumor

I'm scrambling to prep for "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report," but I wanted to respond to the latest round of Prince Fielder rumors. Well, I didn't want to, but I figured it's better than being asked for updates as if I'm keeping secrets here. That's beyond annoying. Are the Orioles in on Fielder? They're not officially out, so it depends on your definition. There is interest in the free agent slugger, but I'm told that the Orioles haven't met with agent Scott Boras and they don't...

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Orioles reach agreement with Betemit

January 23, 2012, 5:18pm

Orioles

The Orioles may have found their designated hitter, or at least someone who can rotate into that spot. Two industry sources confirmed tonight that the Orioles have reached agreement with Wilson Betemit on a one-year contract, which will become official if he passes his physical. Betemit, 30, is a switch-hitter who's played every infield position, including 383 games at third base, and four games in the outfield in parts of nine major league seasons. He offers versatility, but is more likely...

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Orioles reach agreement with Betemit

January 23, 2012, 5:14pm

Orioles

The Orioles may have found their designated hitter, or at least someone who can rotate into that spot. An industry source confirmed tonight that the Orioles have reached agreement with Wilson Betemit on a one-year contract, which will become official if he passes his physical. Betemit, 30, is a switch-hitter who's played every infield position, including 383 games at third base, and four games in the outfield in parts of nine major league seasons. He offers versatility, but is more likely to...

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How about an O's ticket for your birthday?

January 23, 2012, 10:26am

Orioles

How about an O's ticket for your birthday?

You already know the Orioles are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards in 2012. Once again, the club is also making it possible for you to celebrate your birthday at the one of the game's most iconic ballparks. The Orioles will gift one complimentary upper reserve ticket to a non-prime game for during your birthday month for each fan who registers here. If your birthday falls in January, February or March, you get an April non-prime game. If you were born in October, November or...

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Orioles release Hudson

January 23, 2012, 8:56am

Orioles

I won't file this one under "breaking news," but the Orioles have released outfielder Kyle Hudson. Hudson, 25, was designated for assignment to make room for left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. He couldn't be placed on waivers and outrighted to the minors before March because he was "draft excluded" due to the date that the Orioles purchased his contract from Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles had to trade or release Hudson. They can attempt to re-sign him, but he won't be able to play for them...

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A bigger Berken could yield better results

January 22, 2012, 6:14am

Orioles

A bigger Berken could yield better results

A year ago, Orioles reliever Jason Berken had reporters at FanFest fussing over his weight loss. He dropped about 30 pounds over the winter, and we figured that a slimmer Berken could handle a heavier workload, whether he remained in the bullpen or earned a starting spot. Berken didn't look noticeably different yesterday as we chatted about his beloved Green Bay Packers - we agreed that giving quarterback Aaron Rodgers two weeks off was a mistake - but he's put on 10 to 15 pounds. And...

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On-base or rounding the bases?

January 22, 2012, 7:21pm

Orioles

There are times when interviewing executive vice president Dan Duquette is like being a contestant on "Wheel of Fortune." At any moment, I'm liable to blurt out, "I'd like to solve the puzzle!" Unfortunately, I haven't figured out his plans for a designated hitter. Maybe I should buy a vowel. The Orioles have watched Manny Ramirez take batting practice at least once since the Winter Meetings. It could be two or three times, but Duquette won't confirm it. His stock answer is he's...

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More FanFest notes and quotes

January 21, 2012, 6:08pm

Orioles

Another FanFest has come and gone. It was a fun day with around 9,000 fans, slightly fewer than last year, attending at the Baltimore Convention Center. FanFest always gets you ready for another season after a day of talking baseball and talking with Orioles players, coaches and front office staff. Over the next week or two, I'l continue to post some interviews, quotes and stories from the day. For today, here are some quotes from FanFest. Dan Duquette on his fan forum and meeting fans: ...

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Orioles' international efforts return to Korea

January 21, 2012, 5:25pm

Orioles

While addressing fans during this morning's forum for season ticket holders, executive vice president Dan Duquette causally mentioned that the Orioles signed the top amateur pitcher in Korea three days ago - a 17-year-old left-hander who wasn't identified by name. I stored the information in the back of my mind - the front was much too crowded - until I was freed up to do more research. I had no time today with all the FanFest commitments and constant blog updates. Coincidentally, a tweet...

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Johnson expects to be in bullpen in 2012

January 21, 2012, 11:34am

Orioles

Johnson expects to be in bullpen in 2012

Jim Johnson shook hands with reporters, smiled and said, "I don't know." Hey, we're supposed to ask the questions before you answer them. Johnson knew what was coming. Is he going to be a starter or reliever this season? "You guys probably know more than I do," he said. "I'll be in the bullpen. I'm pretty sure about that." As the closer? "We'll figure that out in the spring," he replied. The Orioles are leaning toward keeping Johnson in a relief role, and he could be the...

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Arrieta progressing nicely after surgery

January 21, 2012, 8:42am

Orioles

Arrieta progressing nicely after surgery

Orioles right-hander Jake Arrieta said at FanFest that he continues to make very good progress after having bone spurs removed from his right elbow on Aug. 12. "I felt as good as I expected to. I haven't had any setbacks, just routine throwing program soreness but outside of that I've been 100 percent healthy and very encouraged with my progress," he said. Arrieta, who went 10-8 with an ERA of 5.05 in 22 starts last summer, said the bone spurs would bother him at times last season. He...

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Showalter and Duquette on rotation, Dominican, Machado, Reimold and Fielder

January 21, 2012, 6:46am

Orioles

Showalter and Duquette on rotation, Dominican, Machado, Reimold and Fielder

The first fan forum of the day at FanFest is over. Manager Buck Showalter and Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette were on the main stage. They addressed several topics and here are some of their answers. Showalter on the battle for rotation spots this year: "Last year, it was last man standing. Now, it's about the competition and that always brings out the best in people. Last year, we had six or seven guys competing and this year we have 11 or 12, and if you know anything about...

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Flaherty gets his first look at Camden Yards

January 21, 2012, 10:43am

Orioles

Flaherty gets his first look at Camden Yards

Infielder Ryan Flaherty participated in the three-day mini-camp this week at Camden Yards and noticed that the ballpark might favor the hitters. Flaherty is hoping to test that theory this summer. The Orioles selected Flaherty in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings, which automatically classifies him as a long shot to make the club in spring training, but he'll give it his best shot. "I'm just going to make sure I come into camp ready to go, and whatever happens happen," said...