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Duquette on Fielder: "We're monitoring the market"

December 24, 2011, 4:33am

Orioles

Duquette on Fielder: "We're monitoring the market"

The week between Christmas and New Year's tends to be fairly uneventful in baseball. I'd often volunteer to be on call during that stretch so the other Orioles beat writer at The Sun could relax and celebrate the holiday with his family. It was a nice gesture on the surface, but I also knew that I wouldn't be busy. I'd have some time off without using up any vacation or comp days. Slick move. I checked with executive vice president Dan Duquette yesterday to gauge whether I'd need to stay...

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Finding the joy in the game

December 24, 2011, 4:31am

Orioles

First of all, on this joyous weekend, a merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of the loyal readers. I never take you for granted and am always appreciative that you are here, today and every day. Since most are feeling happy and festive this time of year, I figured it was a good time to get your thoughts about baseball and the Orioles. What makes you feel happy about the game and the team? What do you enjoy about Orioles baseball? Sure, there has been that little 14-year losing streak,...

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Is Adam Jones untouchable?

December 22, 2011, 5:49pm

Orioles

For the fans who keep asking me why the Orioles didn't trade for left-hander Gio Gonzalez and whether this is further proof that the organization isn't interested in winning, please take a moment to consider the possibility that executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't have enough prospects to offer. Crazy, I know, but let's run with it. The Athletics pried right-handers Brad Peacock and A.J. Cole, left-hander Tommy Milone and catcher Derek Norris from the Nationals. That's too much,...

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Who's batting first for the Orioles?

December 25, 2011, 5:02am

Orioles

I want to lead off this entry by wishing everyone the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of holidays. Be safe if you're traveling today. And speaking of leading off ... We don't know who will play second base for the Orioles next season. They're not counting on Brian Roberts, so I won't, either. I've stated many times that it will be viewed as a bonus if he's ready for spring training and the opener. There's no way to be certain that the headaches and dizziness will subside....

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O's Jones would be an attractive fit for many clubs needing center field help

December 23, 2011, 4:59pm

Nationals Orioles

O's Jones would be an attractive fit for many clubs needing center field help

The Orioles have apparently talked to the Atlanta Braves about a trade involving center fielder Adam Jones, and while that trade is off for now, it could heat up again. But there is a long list of other teams that might want to trade for Jones. Who knows if the Orioles will trade the All-Star outfielder? They don't have a lot of trade chips, and of the core players, he seems the most likely to go, assuming the right price. Jones has two years left on his contract, and that makes him...

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The Orioles are not in position to pull off a Gonzalez-type deal

December 23, 2011, 6:17am

Orioles

Whenever a team acquires a player in the offseason, some fans invariably asks the question, "Why didn't the Orioles do that?" Some have asked that of the Nationals' trade for pitcher Gio Gonzalez. The Nationals gave up four prospects - three of their top nine as rated by Baseball America - to get the 26-year-old lefty. It was a deal where both sides got what they sought and the Nationals clearly feel they can contend in 2012 and gave up some potential key pieces of their future to go for...

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The case for the defense

December 22, 2011, 7:22am

Orioles

Here are two things I feel are quite true about baseball: * Defense is often underrated. * Defense is very hard to statistically quantify. I have heard Buck Showalter talk often enough about run prevention to realize he values defense. I think most managers understand a run saved is pretty much equal to a run knocked in. We hail a player with a two- or three-RBI game, but sometimes overlook the outfielder that made the diving catch in the fifth inning that kept two runs from scoring. You can...

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McGowan steps down, O's begin search for new voice at Camden Yards

December 21, 2011, 3:46pm

Orioles

McGowan steps down, O's begin search for new voice at Camden Yards

Here's another change for the 20th anniversary season at Camden Yards: The Orioles are searching for a new voice to replace veteran public address announcer David McGowan, who has announced he will step down from his duties after 14 seasons. "It is with great sadness that I must step down as public address announcer due to a career change," McGowan said in a team-issued statement. "I feel so fortunate to have played even a small role in helping Orioles fans enjoy major league baseball in...

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O's begin search to replace departing McGowan as PA voice of Camden Yards

December 21, 2011, 4:26pm

Orioles

O's begin search to replace departing McGowan as PA voice of Camden Yards

The Baltimore Orioles are looking for the new voice of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The search is on for a public address announcer for home games at Oriole Park beginning in 2012, the ballpark's 20th Anniversary season. The new public address announcer will be only the third in Camden Yards history, following Rex Barney (1992-97) and David McGowan (1998-2011). After 14 seasons as public address announcer at Camden Yards, McGowan has stepped down from the position due to a change in his...

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A scouting report on Ryan Flaherty

December 12, 2011, 1:07pm

Orioles

The Orioles added to their infield depth and got a versatile player recently when they selected Ryan Flaherty from the Cubs organization in the Rule 5 draft. A left-handed hitter, Flaherty, 25, is a career .278/.346/.462 hitter in four seasons for the Cubs after being selected out of Vanderbilt with the 41st overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. He batted .280/.347/.478 with 53 extra-base hits and 88 RBIs in 132 games for Double-A Tennessee (83 games) and Triple-A Iowa (49 games)...

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Who else should be under rotation consideration?

December 19, 2011, 5:00pm

Orioles

Who else should be under rotation consideration?

The Washington Nationals have announced their minor league managers, coaches and instructors. Meanwhile, the Orioles might not make their final decisions for at least another week. Quick review: Ron Johnson (Triple-A Norfolk), Gary Kendall (Double-A Bowie) and Gary Allenson (short-season Single-A Aberdeen) are expected to manage at three of the affiliates. And former major league pitching coach Rick Peterson is the heavy favorite to be named minor league pitching coordinator, the job that...

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Orioles make Chavez signing official

December 20, 2011, 10:26am

Orioles

The Orioles just sent out a press release confirming that they signed outfielder Endy Chavez to a one-year deal. Chavez passed his physical after agreeing to terms over the weekend and is officially a member of the organization. Chavez, who turns 34 in February, batted .301/.323/.426 with five home runs and 27 RBIs in 83 games with the Texas Rangers this year. He's a career .274/.313/.373 hitter in 10 major league seasons. "Endy is a tremendous defender and gives us needed depth in the...

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Orioles sign free agent outfielder Endy Chavez

December 20, 2011, 10:19am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Endy Chavez to a one-year contract. Chavez, 33, batted .301/.323/.426 with five home runs and 27 RBIs in 83 games for the American League champion Texas Rangers in 201. In 10 major league seasons, Chavez has batted .274/.313/.373 for six teams and appeared in the playoffs twice, in 2006 with the New York Mets and 2011 with Texas . "Endy is a tremendous defender and gives us needed depth in the outfield," said Orioles...

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FanFest autograph vouchers to go on sale Jan. 7

December 20, 2011, 7:07am

Orioles

FanFest autograph vouchers to go on sale Jan. 7

FanFest autograph vouchers will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. at www.orioles.com. A preview of the sessions will be available at the team Web site no later than 9 p.m. on Jan. 6 to allow fans to plan for the next morning's purchase. Details regarding the number of autograph vouchers available, the cost, and more will be announced shortly after Jan. 1 by the team. Just as last year, when the new autograph procedures debuted, all proceeds generated from the sale of autograph vouchers...

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Callis on Duquette, the farm, O's future and more

December 12, 2011, 12:44pm

Orioles

Callis on Duquette, the farm, O's future and more

In reviewing some notes from the Winter Meetings, I found some quotes from an interview in Dallas with Jim Callis of Baseball America that had not yet been published here. I know many fans love to hear Callis' insights, and I do, too. So here are some topics we covered there. Callis said that when Baseball America puts out its next list of the top 100 prospects in all of baseball, both Manny Machado and Dylan Bundy could be in the top 10. "We haven't put those lists together yet, but yes,...

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Camden Yards enhancements will yield a different view of the game

December 19, 2011, 7:47am

Orioles

Camden Yards enhancements will yield a different view of the game

You already knew that the Orioles would honor their six members of the Baseball Hall of Fame with statues in a newly configured picnic area in center field at Camden Yards. We told you so last month, right here on Orioles Buzz. But today, the Orioles announced a slew of other improvements to Camden Yards, with an eye toward enhancing the fan experience at the ballpark that has been often imitated but never duplicated. You can read all about the changes that will be implemented for the 2012...

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O's announce improvements for Oriole Park at Camden Yards

December 19, 2011, 7:00am

Orioles

O's announce improvements for Oriole Park at Camden Yards

As part of a continued commitment to honor the proud history of the franchise, and in conjunction with efforts to improve the design aesthetic and functionality of the ballpark and the bullpen picnic grove in center field, the Orioles today announced plans to enhance the fan experience at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for 2012, highlighted by a newly renovated area to honor the greatest Orioles of all time inside the gates of the ballpark. Larger than life sculptures of the six Orioles retired...

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Orioles reach agreement with Endy Chavez (updated)

December 18, 2011, 1:28pm

Orioles

An industry source has confirmed that the Orioles reached agreement with free agent outfielder Endy Chavez, who would give the Orioles the left-handed hitting outfielder that executive vice president Dan Duquette made a priority during the offseason. The Chavez deal will become official once he passes a physical. Chavez, 33, will be playing for his seventh team, including the Expos/Nationals. He hit .301 in 83 games with the Rangers this year. Duquette wanted a backup for Adam Jones, and...

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Because you asked about Aoki ...

December 17, 2011, 3:57pm

Orioles

And asked ... and asked again ... I was told by an industry source tonight that the Orioles "weren't believed" to have placed a bid on Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki. That's the closest I've come to a firm confirmation. The Brewers won the rights to negotiate with Aoki with a $2.5 million bid, according to Yasuko Yanagita of Hochi Shimbun via Twitter. Aoki's team, the Yakult Swallows, accepted the bid. The Brewers have an exclusive 30-day negotiating window to work out a contract...

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Shedding more tears over the crying need for depth

December 18, 2011, 6:08am

Orioles

Shedding more tears over the crying need for depth

By now, you've probably dissected yesterday's trade between the Padres and Reds, the biggest of the offseason. And you might have banged your head against the wall a few times. The Padres shipped starter Mat Latos to the Reds for starter Edwin Volquez, first baseman Yonder Alonso, catcher Yasmani Grandal and pitcher Brad Boxberger. That's quite a haul for the Padres, who now have Alonso and Triple-A first baseman Anthony Rizzo, acquired from the Red Sox in December 2010 as part of the...