orioles

Why would you trade pitching for pitching?

December 06, 2011, 6:38am

Orioles

Why would you trade pitching for pitching?

DALLAS - Some fans have asked why the Orioles would trade pitching for pitching, as for instance moving Jeremy Guthrie and getting a pitcher of Guthrie's ability back in return. Isn't that just swapping one deck chair for another? One reason to do that would be to get a pitcher that is younger and perhaps less expensive. Before you go saying, "There the Orioles go, going cheaper again," that move could be smart and they could use the savings in another area. Of course, under the above...

Comments

Tags:

orioles steve melewski featured_sidebar winter meetings frontstory_orioles3

Would the Orioles entertain trade offers for Adam Jones? (update)

December 06, 2011, 10:45am

Orioles

DALLAS - A major league source said the Orioles are willing to trade Adam Jones. I would say there is a big gap between "are willing to trade him" and "an actual deal happening," so it's a little premature to jump that far with this development. It makes perfect sense to me for the team to listen to offers for Jones. He's a 26-year-old talent whose best years are likely ahead of him and several teams would have to be very interested in the Orioles center fielder. They could possibly get...

Comments

Tags:

orioles steve melewski winter meetings adam jones featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Orioles re-sign Brandon Erbe

December 06, 2011, 1:52pm

Orioles

DALLAS - The Orioles have signed pitcher Brandon Erbe to a minor league contract, keeping him in the organization that drafted him out of McDonogh High School. Erbe, a third-round selection in 2005, was designated for assignment over the summer and cleared waivers. The Orioles outrighted him to short-season Single-A Aberdeen in August. He was a minor league free agent. Erbe underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum on Aug. 13, 2010, and it's been a long road back to recovery. He went 0-1...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles2

Checking again on the pitching market

December 06, 2011, 12:24pm

Orioles

DALLAS - Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams told reporters today that he's not getting suitable offers for his pitchers, so he's inclined to hold onto them at the moment. This news impacts the Orioles, who are looking for pitching - in case you hadn't heard - and might have made a run at Gavin Floyd or John Danks. Of course, Williams could change his stance with one phone call, meeting or elevator ride. I'm just giving you the current update. Also, I heard earlier today...

Comments

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles1

The hunt for pitching (with note)

December 06, 2011, 6:48am

Orioles

DALLAS - The Chicago White Sox and Tampa Rays have pitching to spare. The Orioles want a frontline starter to stabilize their rotation and take a little more pressure off the young arms. So how exactly are they supposed to match up? That's the burning question here at the Hilton Anatole. As I wrote earlier, White Sox general manger Kenny Williams would move Gavin Floyd or John Danks, but he wants young pitching in return. He's also in the market for an outfield prospect. The Orioles are...

Comments

Tags:

orioles winter meetings frontstory_orioles3

No interest in Soriano

December 06, 2011, 8:46am

Orioles

DALLAS - Just to keep the rumor mill from spinning completely out of control, I'll try to slow it a little by passing along confirmation that the Orioles aren't interested in Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano. The Cubs reportedly are trying to convince the Orioles to take Soriano and are willing to absorb most of the $54 million he's owed. I'm told that the Orioles will pass on that offer. Keep in mind that the Cubs approached the Orioles. I never heard that the Orioles initiated talks....

Comments

Tags:

orioles alfonso soriano winter meetings frontstory_orioles1

Cal Ripken on a postage stamp? It could happen

December 06, 2011, 8:52am

Orioles

Cal Ripken on a postage stamp? It could happen

The United States Postal Service is asking for your suggestions for a new stamp. For years, the post office wouldn't put someone on a stamp that hadn't been dead for at least five years. That appears to be changing. According to this piece in The Washington Post, one person that could be on a new stamp is Hall of Famer and longtime Oriole Cal Ripken Jr. Ripken's competition includes Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Billy Graham, former president Bill Clinton, Jerry Lewis and President Barack...

Comments

Tags:

cal ripken jr jeff wolfson orioles

Still a Buehrle fan

December 06, 2011, 5:11am

Orioles

DALLAS - While the Orioles have yet to make any deals or acquisitions here at baseball's Winter Meetings, they clearly have a lot of irons in the fire. One source familiar with the club's work here last year and this year described them as much more active now. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told us last night that he has talked to more than 10 teams but he didn't give reporters an indication whether any deals are close or getting closer at this point. Former president Andy...

Comments

Tags:

orioles steve melewski winter meetings mark buehrle frontstory_orioles3

Day Two in Dallas (updated)

December 06, 2011, 4:04am

Orioles

DALLAS - If you're anticipating that the Orioles will make a move today, look for it to be a trade. And expect it to involve a starter or reliever. Could Mount St. Joseph grad Gavin Floyd be in the mix? The White Sox apparently are willing to move him, and the Orioles have coveted him for years. Well, former president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail was a big admirer. I doubt that executive vice president Dan Duquette has any issues with Floyd. Pure speculation. I'm just saying that...

Comments

Tags:

orioles winter meetings frontfeatured_orioles frontstory_orioles2

Showalter one-on-one video interview

December 05, 2011, 11:53am

Orioles

DALLAS - After Orioles manager Buck Showalter met with a horde of reporters here today at the Winter Meetings, he took some time out for a one-on-one interview here on MASNsports.com. Showalter talked on several topics including the additions to the front office of Fred Ferreira and Lee Thomas. "Freddy was in New York with me and very instrumental in Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada," Showalter said. "Freddy is solid. Great addition. Lee Thomas, there is not many things Lee...

Comments

Tags:

orioles steve melewski winter meetings frontstory_orioles3

Quick hits with Duquette

December 05, 2011, 2:21pm

Orioles

DALLAS - I'll post quotes later, but I wanted to pass along the highlights from today's media session with executive vice president Dan Duquette. Duquette said he met with about 12 teams today and spoke to six or seven others. He has a few more meetings scheduled for tonight. Duquette said most of the activity today centered on trade discussions, and 65 percent of it involved pitching. The Orioles are in the market for a veteran starter who can provide stability to the rotation, but they...

Comments

Tags:

orioles winter meetings

Hearing more from Duquette

December 05, 2011, 3:09pm

Orioles

DALLAS - Rick Peterson reportedly is no longer a candidate to become Boston's pitching coach. I mention it because Peterson interviewed last week for the Orioles' minor league pitching coordinator job. Here are some comments from executive vice president Dan Duquette: "There were mostly trade discussions today, and some free agent discussions. But primarily trade discussions," he said. "There seems to be more relievers in the market. I haven't found anybody to make a deal yet, so I...

Comments

Tags:

orioles dan duquette winter meetings featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles2

Quotes from Buck Showalter

December 05, 2011, 10:58am

Orioles

DALLAS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter finished a lengthy session with the media a few moments ago. Here are a few topics he addressed: Are these meetings any different with Dan Duquette? "There are some similarities. We met as a group this morning, the travel party at 8 a.m. Dan made a lot of assignments, different clubs. We gathered some more information. Everybody has their own personality and how they choose to do things. It's been fun. "Sometimes we make too much of these four...

Comments

Tags:

orioles steve melewski winter meetings buck showalter frontstory_orioles2

As promised, Brooks Robinson has visited bronze likeness

December 05, 2011, 2:40pm

Orioles

As promised, Brooks Robinson has visited bronze likeness

DALLAS - Back in October, when he was overcome with emotion at the unveiling of a nine-foot bronze statue of himself on a plaza between Russell Street and Washington Boulevard that now bears his name, Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson told reporters that he planned to sneak back and take a look at his likeness when all the hubbub died down. Fat chance, right? Like Robinson could quietly walk around the slab of concrete outside Pickles Pub and not be noticed? He's a Baltimore deity,...

Comments

Tags:

brooks robinson orioles orioles buzz pete kerzel winter meetings

Orioles still deciding Jim Johnson's role (and more)

December 05, 2011, 10:33am

Orioles

DALLAS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is meeting with the media. I'll pass along a few notes here, and check Steve Melewski's blog for quotes. Showalter laughed and shook his head when asked whether the Orioles signed Prince Fielder today. Maybe the results of the physical haven't come back yet. Kidding. Showalter repeated that every team here is looking for pitching. It's the "one common denominator," he said. Jim Johnson's role for 2012 remains undecided. He could be a starter...

Comments

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar frontstory_orioles3

More from Showalter

December 05, 2011, 11:58am

Orioles

DALLAS - As of 4:30 p.m., the Orioles hadn't met with the agent for outfielder/DH Manny Ramirez. Or should that be DH/outfielder? Anyway, the Orioles aren't dismissing the idea of pursing Ramirez. "I don't think we're in a position to completely close the door on anything," manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't think we're far enough along with anything to say that's in, that's out, but we'll see." The Orioles have held internal discussions about Ramirez, but "not in depth,"...

Comments

Tags:

orioles frontstory_orioles1 featured_sidebar

Florimon claimed off waivers

December 05, 2011, 9:40am

Orioles

DALLAS - The Twins claimed shortstop Pedro Florimon off waivers from the Orioles. The Orioles needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the Rule 5 draft. Also, pitcher Pedro Viola cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Florimon, who turns 25 on Saturday, went 1-for-8 for the Orioles in 2011, making his major league debut Sept. 10 at Toronto.

Comments

Tags:

orioles pedro florimon winter meetings frontstory_orioles3

Orioles outright Pedro Viola to Triple-A Norfolk; Pedro Florimon claimed on waivers by Minnesota

December 05, 2011, 9:27am

Orioles

The Orioles announced today that left-handed pitcher Pedro Viola has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Additionally, infielder Pedro Florimon has been claimed on waivers by the Minnesota Twins. Viola, 28, appeared in four games for the Orioles in 2011, pitching to a 9.82 ERA (3.2IP, 4 ER). He owns a 7.50 ERA (12.0IP, 10 ER) in 15 career major league games. Florimon, 25 on Saturday, went 1-for-8 for the Orioles in 2011, making his major league debut on September 10 at...

Comments

Tags:

Orioles News Release orioles

Duquette confirms interest in Fielder (updated)

December 05, 2011, 7:31am

Orioles

Duquette confirms interest in Fielder (updated)

DALLAS - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed to MASN this morning that he's interested in free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. However, he warns fans not to get their hopes up. The Orioles won't get in a bidding war for Fielder, but the market may be softening for the slugger, which would allow teams on the peripheral to become involved. That includes the Orioles and Mariners. Duquette doesn't know where the market is going for Fielder, but he's paying close...

Comments

Tags:

orioles featured_sidebar prince fielder winter meetings frontstory_orioles3

After helping Red Sox land Dominican talent, Ferreira now looks to do that for the O's

December 05, 2011, 7:39am

Orioles

After helping Red Sox land Dominican talent, Ferreira now looks to do that for the O's

DALLAS - Before he got back into the game officially as the Orioles new executive director of international recruiting, Fred Ferreira spent time working with a young Dominican player that the Red Sox signed for big bucks last summer. I would guess Ferreira's day of working with a player that signs with the Sox are over. But last summer Boston signed outfielder Manuel Marcos to an 800,000 dollar signing bonus and was trained by Ferreira. I don't mean trained like training to compete in a...