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Picking a dark horse in Sarasota

February 09, 2011, 5:34pm

Orioles

I could attempt to cheat and wait until I get to spring training, watch a few workouts and talk to the manager before choosing my dark horse for 2011. Or I could do the honorable thing and make my decision today, without benefit of bullpen sessions and batting practice, without the opinions of the people who will construct the 25-man roster, without first having my palm read. As if it matters. I selected pitcher Brad Hennessey before arriving in Fort Lauderdale, blinked and missed his entire...

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Orioles avoid arbitration with Scott (updated)

February 10, 2011, 11:45am

Orioles

Once again, the Orioles have managed to reach agreement on a contract with an arbitration-eligible player and avoid the potentially messy process. Luke Scott, expected to be the regular left fielder, has agreed to terms on a 2011 deal, according to a team official. The Sun is reporting that Scott will be paid $6.4 million. He asked for $6.85 million and the Orioles countered at $5.7 million. A hearing was scheduled for Monday in Phoenix, which is no way to spend Valentine's Day. It's been...

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Adam Jones: "The time is now"

February 08, 2011, 6:14pm

Orioles

Even before the Orioles acquired Vladimir Guerrero, O's center fielder Adam Jones was psyched about the club's offseason additions and rather excited for the 2011 season. "The first couple years (I was here), no moves really had been made, maybe a couple here and there. This one seems like, the time is now. I like it," Jones said recently at FanFest. Even though Jones has been in the Oriole lineup for three years and has played in 473 major league games, he remains one of the youngest...

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Guerrero physical in Sarasota

February 09, 2011, 8:18am

Orioles

The Orioles reached agreement with Vladimir Guerrero on a one-year contract Friday night, but he won't undergo his physical until early next week. No sense rushing these things. I know Guerrero moves slowly these days, but this is ridiculous. OK, I'm spent. The Orioles' physicians will gather in Sarasota for spring training - the equipment has been shipped down there - so it makes sense for Guerrero to meet with them at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The physical could take place as...

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O's baseball talk at Hightopps on Monday, Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m.

February 09, 2011, 9:12am

Orioles

O's baseball talk at Hightopps on Monday, Feb. 14, 6-8 p.m.

Orioles pitchers and catchers hold their first spring training workout Monday in Sarasota, Fla., at Ed Smith Stadium. If that's not a reason to celebrate in the midst of a cold, snowy Baltimore winter, I don't know what is - so join MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski and Jen Royle for an evening of baseball talk at Hightopps Backstage Grille in Timonium from 6-8 p.m on Monday, Feb. 14. Yes, Monday is Valentine's Day. What better way to declare your love for your hometown team than to join...

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Orioles back on WBAL

February 08, 2011, 1:47pm

Orioles

The Orioles issued a press release announcing that they're returning to 1090 AM WBAL Radio after a four-year absence from the station's airwaves. It's a multi-year deal, but I'm not sure if it includes incentives. I'm also not sure how many fans really care, but I know there was some curiosity. You'll tune in wherever you can find the games. Just make sure to switch to AM. And I don't mean Andy MacPhail. Orioles representative Alan Rifkin made the official announcement tonight at 6...

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Not many camp competitions looming

February 08, 2011, 6:38pm

Orioles

It's another busy day for me as I try to get my life in order before spring training. As if I can do that in one week. I haven't succeeded over the last 25 years. Why start now? Anyway, I'm getting my taxes done this morning and racing to the warehouse for - wait for it - a Twitter meeting. Yes, I'm going over to the dark side. And I brought extra batteries for the flashlight. Right now, you can only find my blog entries linked on Twitter, but I'll do a lot more with it once I get to...

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O's look to bring BuckBall to their minor league affiliates

February 08, 2011, 4:44am

Orioles

O's look to bring BuckBall to their minor league affiliates

When the new seasons begin for the Orioles' minor league affiliates in April, the O's want their minor league managers to take on even more responsibility than they have previously and will provide them some help to do that. To make sure the four full-season clubs - Norfolk, Bowie, Frederick and Delmarva - are ready to provide proper instruction for the players and that everything is running smoothly and efficiently, the club will place at least one minor league staff member with each team...

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A call to young arms

February 07, 2011, 4:12pm

Orioles

No matter which lineup you've chosen for the Orioles, and we kicked around a few more ideas yesterday, it's important to heed the words of second baseman Brian Roberts that he delivered to reporters at FanFest. They reached our ears long before the Orioles reached agreement with Vladimir Guerrero, but Roberts' message still rings true. "For us, the biggest key is still going to be our young pitchers, our young starters," Roberts said. "They're going to have to pitch well for...

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Riske business

February 07, 2011, 1:01pm

Orioles

You have to like a sports agency that announces when its clients sign a contract. Welcome to the Twitter world. CAA Baseball has tweeted that reliever David Riske agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles that includes an invitation to spring training. Riske appeared in 23 games with the Brewers last season, compiling a 5.01 ERA before being released in August. He already got his Tommy John surgery out of the way in 2009. Riske is 20-20 with a 3.67 ERA in 11 seasons with the Indians,...

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The Frederick Keys have their say

February 08, 2011, 8:01am

Orioles

Last week, I wrote about the Frederick Keys' unsettled lease situation with the CIty of Frederick for Harry Grove Stadium. The Keys' lease runs only through September of this year and the city may soon accept bids for that lease for the 2012 season. If that happens, it is at least possible that an independent league team could gain that lease for 2012 and beyond and the Keys would be without a home. You can review that story here. It seems hardly anyone wants to comment or be interviewed...

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More Guerrero benefits, including lineup protection

February 07, 2011, 4:41am

Orioles

More Guerrero benefits, including lineup protection

Two fringe benefits of the Orioles' addition of Vladimir Guerrero are that it should bring more media attention to the club and it might help the O's sell a few more tickets. The O's pickup of Guerrero produced airtime for the club on MLB Network and a live appearance by Buck Showalter on "SportsCenter" this weekend - time the club would not otherwise have gotten. To many that won't be a big deal, and I agree with those of you who think that way, but it's still nice to see ESPN mention...

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Another look at the lineup

February 07, 2011, 2:00am

Orioles

I have another appointment this morning that's going to occupy a chunk of my time, but I'll return later with something a little more substantial for the blog. In the meantime, I wanted to revisit my projected Orioles lineup that I filed Friday night after the news broke about Vladimir Guerrero. A reader suggested that Mark Reynolds should bat fifth behind Guerrero and ahead of Luke Scott. I had Scott's left-handed bat separating the two right-handers. To review: Brian Roberts 2B Nick...

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A busy winter

February 06, 2011, 4:54am

Orioles

Exactly one week from today, I'll be standing inside the home clubhouse at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota or staking out the parking lot, jotting down the names of pitchers and catchers as they report on the mandatory date. I'll make note of any position players that show up early. And I'll wonder again whether I packed enough socks and underwear. Where has the winter gone? It's fair to assume that the Orioles are done shopping. They're certainly finished with the heavy lifting after...

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Reimold talks about Guerrero signing

February 07, 2011, 10:44am

Orioles

I found Nolan Reimold in the usual place this winter, working out with former Orioles outfielder Brady Anderson in California. He'll stay a little longer before reporting to spring training in Sarasota. Reimold knows the addition of Vladimir Guerrero could have a direct impact on him, "but I guess the full extent of how it impacts me remains to be seen," he said earlier today in a brief phone conversation. "There will always be good players in the major leagues and there will always be...

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Crunching some Guerrero numbers

February 05, 2011, 4:40am

Orioles

Good morning to everyone. Many thanks for the kind birthday wishes directed at my lovely daughter. I'm sure she'll expect more of them on the actual date (She's a Valentine's baby, and not the least bit spoiled.) I'll pass along some Justin Duchscherer quotes later today. You remember him, right? Veteran free-agent pitcher. Sort of a big deal until last night. Looking at some of Vladimir Guerrero's numbers, I'm just blown away by his consistency over 15 major league seasons. He's...

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More Guerrero: Some stats, facts and opinions

February 05, 2011, 4:20am

Orioles

More Guerrero: Some stats, facts and opinions

While no one knows for sure how well - or not - Vladimir Guerrero will hit for the Orioles this season, no one with any sense can deny the amazing career he has had. He ranks 24th on baseball's all-time OPS list. Some of those ahead of him are Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols, Mickey Mantle, Rogers Hornsby and Joe DiMaggio. Here are some that trail his career mark of .946: .945 - Ty Cobb and Ryan Howard .941 - Willie Mays and Chipper Jones .933 - Albert Belle .929 - Hank Aaron .926 -...

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In other news

February 06, 2011, 6:59am

Orioles

After the blitz of news, posts and reader comments about Vladimir Guerrero, here is a tidbit or two on other things Oriole. Even though new Orioles' pitcher Justin Duchscherer has made 192 career major league appearances out of the bullpen, don't expect to see him doing any of that in Baltimore. "He sees himself as a starter and we brought him in with the idea that he'd be given every chance to be a starter," O's president Andy MacPhail said. MacPhail said the Orioles currently have...

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Showalter comments about addition of Guerrero

February 06, 2011, 9:36am

Orioles

There has been a lot of discussion about the Orioles increasing their contract offer to get an agreement with Vladimir Guerrero. According to this report on ESPN.com, Buster Olney's sources say that $2 million of the $8 million is deferred. Meanwhile, while O's president Andy MacPhail will not comment on the deal until it is official, manager Buck Showalter did appear on ESPN's "SportsCenter." He pointed out that the deal is pending a physical, but he also made some comments on the...

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Duchscherer looking forward to fresh start & good health

February 05, 2011, 7:48am

Orioles

Duchscherer looking forward to fresh start & good health

Justin Duchscherer just proved that he can interview hurt. Duchscherer came down with a bad cold, but he still took questions between coughs in a noon conference call. "I don't usually sound like a 70-year-old smoker," he joked. I guess he was a little too enthusiastic after a team physician told him to "turn and cough." It's OK to stop now. Duchscherer, who agreed to a one-year contract late Sunday night that could pay him $4.5 million with incentives, discussed his three hip...