In the world of improbable World Series Most Valuable Players, there's always going to be a seat at the table for former Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey. And you can be certain that he's going to block the plate. You know what they say about old habits. Dempsey went 5-for-13 with four doubles and a home run in 1983 and did his usual outstanding work defensively and handling the pitching staff. And the Orioles disposed of the Phillies in five games, with Dempsey embracing Scott McGregor after the...

Even though one season was 60 games long and one was 162 games in length, O's bullpen lefty Tanner Scott threw a similar number of big league innings in each, tossing 26 1/3 in 2019, when he spent some time at Triple-A, and 20 2/3 innings this season. But what he did with those innings was very different. The pitcher long considered a top bullpen prospect lived up to the hype this year. His ERA was down while results against his fastball were up for him. We've talked often about his...

The end of the regular season and the Orioles' exclusion from the playoffs doesn't lighten the mailbag. There are questions galore, which I'm pretty sure is also the name of a James Bond villain. I've never claimed to have all the answers. I'm still learning how to turn on the stove in my house. And as former Orioles infielder Robert Andino famously stated one day at his locker, "I ain't no future teller." I am, however, a fan of Penn & Teller. With the latest batch of furloughs...

Kevin Long will be back as the Nationals' hitting coach after all. Long and the Nats agreed to reunite on a one-year deal, a source familiar with the terms confirmed this afternoon, a surprising reversal from what appeared to be a parting of ways between the two sides nearly two weeks ago. Long, like everyone else on Davey Martinez's coaching staff, had a contract that was set to expire Oct. 31. Martinez, who signed a long-term extension in September, has been seeking to have more say in the...

Our offseason player review series continues today with Kyle Finnegan, who turned plenty of heads as a 28-year-old rookie reliever. PLAYER REVIEW: KYLE FINNEGAN Age on opening day 2021: 29 How acquired: Signed as free agent, December 2019 MLB service time: 1 year 2020 salary: $563,500 (prorated $208,704) Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2023, free agent in 2026 2020 stats: 1-0, 2.92 ERA, 25 G, 0 SV, 24 2/3 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 13 BB, 27 SO, 1 HBP, 1.378 WHIP,...

The marked improvement of Anthony Santander as a major league outfielder is illustrated further by his selection today as a finalist for a Rawlings Gold Glove. Santander is joined by the Yankees' Clint Frazier and the Rangers' Joey Gallo as finalists in right field. The winners will be announced on Nov. 3. None of the Orioles were chosen as finalists last year. Manny Machado is the last Orioles recipient of a Gold Glove, finishing first among third basemen in 2015. He was chosen as a finalist...

Josh Harrison joined the Nationals four days into the 2020 season. The veteran utilityman quickly made himself invaluable on and off the field, so much so that the club wasted no time ensuring he'd be back in 2021. The Nationals re-signed Harrison to a one-year deal this morning, making the 33-year-old the first of their pending free agents to get a new contract that will keep him in Washington for another season. He'll earn $1 million in base salary, plus an additional $250,000 in...

The Orioles today announced that the Baltimore City Board of Elections and the Maryland Stadium Authority have reached an agreement in order to provide Baltimore City residents access to a safe and secure designated voting center at Oriole Park at Camden Yards during the upcoming Presidential General Election. In support of the club's Voter Up campaign, the ballpark will be open to registered voters from Baltimore City as an early voting center from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. ET between Monday,...

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with infielder/outfielder Josh Harrison on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Harrison, 33, returns to Washington after hitting .278 with two doubles, three homers, 14 RBI, six walks and 11 runs scored in 33 games for the Nationals in 2020. He hit .309 with a .388 on-base percentage and a .471 slugging percentage in 22 starts at second base (8 GS), third base...

Our offseason player review series continues today with Tanner Rainey, who ascended to a prominent bullpen role before getting hurt. PLAYER REVIEW: TANNER RAINEY Age on opening day 2021: 28 How acquired: Traded from Reds for Tanner Roark, Dec. 2018 MLB service time: 1 year, 158 days 2020 salary: $572,200 (prorated $211,926) Contract status: Under team control, arbitration eligible in 2022, free agent in 2025 2020 stats: 1-1, 2.66 ERA, 20 G, 0 SV, 20 1/3 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 HR, 7 BB, 32 SO, 1...