A few thoughts on where the Orioles go now with their international bonus pool
A few thoughts on where the Orioles go now with their international bonus pool
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles tried but failed to sign any of the big three international prospects that were most recently available. Victor Victor Mesa and Victor Mesa Jr. signed with Miami. Pitcher Sandy Gastón signed with Tampa Bay. So now what? The Orioles still reportedly have something north of $6 million remaining in their pool amount to sign international amateurs. But many of the top players were scooped up when the signing period officially began July 2. Teams can still sign players though through...
What's on today's agenda? (updated)
What's on today's agenda? (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The important offseason dates in Major League Baseball include today's 5 p.m. deadline for teams to extend the qualifying offer to their own free agents, which reportedly has grown to $17.9 million. The Orioles will pass on Adam Jones and Colby Rasmus. A front office that remains under construction also will remove pitchers Richard Bleier and Pedro Araujo and outfielders Mark Trumbo and Austin Hays from the 60-day disabled list. Bleier underwent surgery in June to repair a Grade 3 tear in his...
Glover returned healthy, but can he now be effective?
Glover returned healthy, but can he now be effective?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Koda Glover, who after a long rehab from a shoulder injury returned during the second half and had an eventful few months. PLAYER REVIEW: KODA GLOVER Age on opening day 2019: 25 How acquired: Eighth-round pick, 2015 draft MLB service time: 2 years, 51 days 2018 salary: $551,700 Contract status: Under club control in 2019, arbitration-eligible in 2020,...
Solano elects free agency after clearing outright waivers
Solano elects free agency after clearing outright waivers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Catcher Jhonatan Solano, who has spent the better part of the last decade in the Nationals organization, has elected to become a free agent after he cleared outright waivers in a transaction that opened up a spot on the club's 40-man roster. Solano was supposed to open this season at Triple-A Syracuse, but he quickly was promoted to Washington in early April after Matt Wieters went on the disabled list and Miguel Montero went on paternity leave. He spent only three days on the active roster,...
More on Orioles' 40-man roster and personnel changes (updated)
More on Orioles' 40-man roster and personnel changes (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles' 40-man roster continues to hold 39 players after the Mariners claimed outfielder John Andreoli yesterday afternoon. However, it's going down to 36 with pitcher Sean Gilmartin and infielders Jace Peterson and Corban Joseph also on outright waivers, their names appearing on the wire. Pitcher Gabriel Ynoa is on the 60-day disabled list, but he won't be activated and placed on the 40-man. None of the moves were unexpected. Ynoa didn't pitch for the Orioles this season, opening the...
Is Grace a matchup lefty or a long reliever?
Is Grace a matchup lefty or a long reliever?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Matt Grace, who has become a stalwart in the bullpen. PLAYER REVIEW: MATT GRACE Age on opening day 2019: 30 How acquired: Eighth-round pick, 2010 draft MLB service time: 2 years, 65 days 2018 salary: $557,000 Contract status: Under team control in 2019, arbitration-eligible in 2020, free agent in 2023 2018 stats: 1-1, 2.87 ERA, 56 G, 0 SV, 59 2/3 IP, 55...
More changes coming to Orioles front office and scouting
More changes coming to Orioles front office and scouting
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles sorted through their Halloween candy last night and found a bunch of Whoppers and Dum Dums. One family sneaked in a box of raisins. Someone else gave out apples. This is what happens when you lose 115 games. The full-size Hershey bars go to the winners. I got a rock. A new month leaves several Orioles employees without contracts, the expiration dates striking at midnight. The front office already is undergoing significant changes while the Orioles decide on a president of baseball...
A new-look Orioles offense began to take shape in 2018
A new-look Orioles offense began to take shape in 2018
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The transformation of the Orioles offense began in the final two months of the 2018 season. With one or two key additions, the Orioles pumped some needed speed into their lineup and began morphing into an offense that could be less dependent on homers. As a new regime takes over at some point, perhaps we'll see a team producing fewer homers and strikeouts and an offense more reliant on contact, on-base skills and speed. That will be music to the ears of some fans, but before you celebrate too...
Rosenthal deal gives Nats another late-inning power arm
Rosenthal deal gives Nats another late-inning power arm
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals, like most clubs, typically take their time in free agency, wait out the market and strike when they have an opportunity to sign a player over the winter. Today, they showed they aren't afraid to dive right in, though, and swoop up an appealing free agent only days after he became eligible to negotiate with teams. In agreeing to terms with Trevor Rosenthal, the Nats made a rare Halloween transaction to add an experienced and accomplished power arm to the back end of their...
Orioles lose Andreoli on waiver claim
Orioles lose Andreoli on waiver claim
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles' 40-man roster was full on Sunday, contained an opening on Monday, was filled again yesterday and has more space on it today. The lack of front office hires, still on hold following the World Series, hasn't shut down business. The Mariners claimed outfielder John Andreoli off waivers from the Orioles, who now have 39 players on the roster. Both clubs made the announcement this afternoon. Baseball's circle of life has returned Andreoli to the Mariners after the Orioles selected...