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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...

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Luke Scott talks about his defense in left field

February 04, 2011, 3:58pm

Orioles

Luke Scott talks about his defense in left field

The Orioles' addition of Vladimir Guerrero may unseat Luke Scott as the team's designated hitter, but it is not likely to take him out of the lineup. Scott is now expected to become the O's regular left fielder. In a telephone conversation tonight, Scott said he has heard the opinion that his left field defense is not up to par, but he doesn't share that view. "People have said that a lot in my career coming up. But that's what it is, an opinion" he said. "It's not supported by...

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I can't agree with Rob Neyer this time

February 05, 2011, 7:03am

Orioles

There are a lot of national baseball writers out there who are talented, bring a lot to the table and are worth reading all the time. Rob Neyer is clearly one of them. He may be underrated and almost always has some real knowledge to spread with his opinions. But I don't agree with this column where he is down on the Orioles' addition of Vladimir Guerrero. Let's take some of this point by point, with some excerpts from his column. Guerrero's got a name, obviously. But can you really...

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A few thoughts on Guerrero

February 04, 2011, 3:03pm

Orioles

For my daughter's 18th birthday, I decided to get her Vladimir Guerrero. She really wanted a car. (If I was feeling more clever, I'd come up with a joke that ties together Guerrero and a car. Maybe later.) Actually, my daughter turns 18 on Valentine's Day, but my family gathered tonight because I'll be in Sarasota for the big occasion. And naturally, the Orioles decided to make news as the entrees arrived. Well, it's the least they could do after forcing us to wait until tomorrow to...

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Team source confirms Guerrero signing

February 04, 2011, 1:37pm

Orioles

According to this tweet, the O's have come to terms with Vladimir Guerrero on a one-year deal for $8 million. An Orioles source tonight confirmed the agreement. Earlier today, a team source said the O's and Guerrero's representatives have had "ongoing" discussions this week. Now those discussions have indeed paid off. Reached via e-mail, O's president Andy MacPhail said he could not confirm or deny a signing that required a physical. He does not comment publicly on any signings before...

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A Winn-win for the Orioles

February 03, 2011, 5:01pm

Orioles

Since a few of you asked and I always try to please my readers - well, up to a certain point - I'm told the Orioles have had "light discussions only" regarding Oscar Salazar, who was designated for assignment by the Padres. I don't sense a lot of enthusiasm, but it's not like the idea was dismissed entirely. You know it's a slow news day when a non-roster spring training invite for Randy Winn stirs up conversation on this blog. You know it's a slow morning when I'm revisiting the...

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MacPhail: Duchscherer passed two-day physical exam

February 04, 2011, 12:52pm

Orioles

MacPhail: Duchscherer passed two-day physical exam

New Orioles right-hander Justin Duchscherer passed his physical today, but the 33-year-old has had a past that includes two hip operations and just five starts over the last two years. But O's president Andy MacPhail feels good about Duchscherer's health heading into spring camp. The Orioles' doctors gave Duchscherer a more extensive look than usual. "He had a two-day workover," MacPhail said. "They looked at every aspect and he passed. Given his history, it's quite possible there...