If Adley Rutschman is the future of the catching position for the Orioles - and he most certainly is - the present in 2020 will probably look a lot like it did in 2019. Pedro Severino, Chance Sisco and Austin Wynns remain as the three O's catchers currently on the 40-man roster. The club seems set with that trio for next season as they also get set to watch Rutschman progress through his first full season on the O's farm. Both Severino and Sisco got off to hot hitting starts with the club...

We continue our conversation with Nationals pitching prospect Nick Raquet and get more information on his slider. A left-hander with his best pitch being the slider sounds familiar. How does it compare with Patrick Corbin's slider? "It's definitely my go-to," Raquet said. "I feel like if I'm in a pinch in any situation, I'm throwing my slider. It's probably my best pitch. I kind of grip it and rip it. I've never actually talked to Patrick. I would assume he spins the hell out of it. I...

The Nationals and Yan Gomes agreed to terms Wednesday night on a two-year, $10 million contract, ensuring the club will keep its productive catching tandem together for another season at a discounted price. The deal isn't official yet, but a source confirmed the two sides came to agreement Wednesday evening. ESPN.com was first to report the signing. The Nationals had declined a $9 million club option on Gomes earlier this month, instead paying off a $1 million buyout, but did express interest...

It sure looks like Jonathan Villar's time with the Orioles is coming to an end. With seemingly little interest via trade, Villar was put on waivers yesterday. Any team can claim him, but they would also inherit his arbitration status and potential salary of $10 million or more for 2020. The Orioles' decision appears to be that Villar is too pricey for a rebuilding club and they are about to officially cut ties with a player who had his best season last year. Villar hit .274/.339/.453 with 33...

Jonathan Villar was placed on outright waivers yesterday and he's still on them. No team has claimed him. No team seems willing to pay whatever he's going to make in arbitration, a salary that's expected to reach $10 million and maybe more. What's left to say about the situation? The Orioles are trying hard to trade him, as I've reported. They were in an aggressive mode at the July deadline, with the Cubs one of the teams engaged in talks, but no one took the bait. Executive vice...

There are no untouchables on the Orioles roster as they move through the offseason, a point made clear by executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and others in the organization. Only varying levels of motivation to move certain players. Dylan Bundy has been a candidate to change teams, though the rotation already is flimsy and prospects aren't going to be rushed as replacements. He's arbitration-eligible again and MLBTradeRumors.com projects his salary rising to $5.7 million,...

The workouts, weddings and binge watching that have defined Trey Mancini's offseason will be put on hold this weekend as he hosts his first Purple Tailgate in Baltimore. The annual event will be held at the Stadium Square Lot on West Ostend Street prior to Sunday's NFL game between the Ravens and 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. All proceeds will be donated to the #MoStrong initiative and Kamryn Lambert Foundation. It's an extension of the friendship that's developed between Mancini and Mo...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Joe Ross, who was wildly erratic during a season that included several promotions and demotions, and then surprisingly started Game 5 of the World Series. PLAYER REVIEW: JOE ROSS Age on opening day 2020: 26 How acquired: Traded with Trea Turner from Padres, with Steven Souza Jr. and Travis Ott going to Rays in three-team deal, December 2014 MLB service...

What's worse than the pop quiz I handed out on a Sunday? How about one around the holidays? This is what happens when you attend a school with no days off. You knew the risk. The first item crossed off the shopping list will be: Starting pitcher Reliever Middle infielder None of the above The opening day third baseman will be: Rio Ruiz Hanser Alberto Someone who isn't on the current roster None of the above Richie Martin will begin the year: At shortstop In a utility role At Triple-A Norfolk...

Don't you love it when there is not one specific topic to discuss about the Orioles but many? I know I do, so it's time for another Orioles question-and-answer session. You provide a question on anything about the club - the majors or minors, potential additions or subtractions, the upcoming Rule 5 draft - whatever you've got and I and our readers will provide some responses. For instance, the Orioles have seven arbitration-eligible players, headed up by infielder Jonathan Villar. Readers...