The changes coming to the Orioles organization will affect the minor league system, including the decision to bring in a new Triple-A manager. Ron Johnson won't return for an eighth season with the Norfolk Tides, with multiple sources confirming the Orioles' decision to move in another direction. Johnson is free to accept any offer that appeals to him. Also, special assistant Matt Haas, East Coast scouting supervisor Kirk Fredriksson, area scout Dana Duquette and director of Dominican...

In hindsight, it was probably not a good idea for the Orioles to call up outfielder Austin Hays on Sept. 5, 2017. The Orioles started his service clock and player options before they needed to. And while at the time of his call-up the Orioles were still very much in the American League wild card race, Hays hardly played in the first week to 10 days after he was added to the roster. So he wasn't added to immediately play and help the team win. The Orioles selected Hays in round three of the...

The level of agitation among Orioles fans spiked again with the failure to sign any of the Cuban "big three," though most are relying on published scouting reports and projections and otherwise know nothing about Victor Victor Mesa, Victor Mesa Jr. and Sandy Gastón,. We've heard good things. It comes across as small consolation, but the Orioles made offers for all three players and were runners-up for Gastón, despite other teams submitting bids. They attended the Oct. 3 showcase in...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Jeremy Hellickson, who proved a surprisingly effective acquisition when he wasn't injured. PLAYER REVIEW: JEREMY HELLICKSON Age on opening day 2019: 31 How acquired: Signed as free agent, March 2018 MLB service time: 8 years, 45 days 2018 salary: $2 million (plus incentives) Contract status: Free agent 2018 stats: 5-3, 3.45 ERA, 19 GS, 0 CG, 91 1/3 IP,...

One pitcher we should keep an eye on this winter is right-hander Jhonatan German. The 23-year-old pitched well for the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns to end the season. German went 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings for the Suns from July 14 to Sept. 2. Nationals pitching coordinator Paul Menhart saw a big improvement this season from where German was in 2017, when he wasn't throwing strikes as consistently. "One other guy, he had a wonderful season, Jhonatan German,"...

It is not exactly this easy, but one way for the Orioles could improve their pitching staff is to add pitchers who throw with premium velocity and/or pitchers who have strong strikeout rates. It is not a direct correlation, but the teams with the best strikeout rates and those that throw the hardest are often good teams with good pitching staffs. The sport keeps trending toward more and more velocity, and the trend of managers pulling starters sooner just gets teams into bullpens sooner, and...

The Orioles will be shut out in Rawlings Gold Glove voting for a third consecutive year. The lack of a finalist in 2018 sealed their fate. Manny Machado made the final three last year at third base, but was denied his third Gold Glove. He isn't a finalist after a change in positions and teams, but the World Series provides a nice distraction for him. Yesterday's news was anticlimactic, with the Orioles having no obvious candidates at any position. Machado was traded prior to the non-waiver...

For the third straight year, Anthony Rendon is a finalist for a Gold Glove Award. Now the Nationals third baseman can only hope he doesn't lose out to Nolan Arenado for the third straight year. Rendon was revealed today as one of the top three vote-getters among National League third basemen, joining the Rockies' Arenado and the Brewers' Travis Shaw. The winner will be revealed on Nov. 4. Voting among NL managers and coaches took place in late September. A sabermetic component provided by...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Erick Fedde, who is still trying to find his footing in the big leagues. PLAYER REVIEW: ERICK FEDDE Age on opening day 2019: 26 How acquired: First-round pick, 2014 draft MLB service time: 150 days 2018 salary: $545,000 Contract status: Under team control through 2020, likely arbitration-eligible in 2021, free agent in 2025 2018 stats: 2-4, 5.54 ERA, 11...

Unable to sign any of the high-profile Cuban prospects featured at a showcase earlier this month, the Orioles announced today that they've reached agreement with four international players while reallocating a portion of the $6.5 million they held in bonus slots. Joining the organization are 19-year-old Dominican right-hander Kelvin LaRoche, 18-year-old Cuban outfielder Kevin Infante, 17-year-old Venezuelan outfielder Angel Gomez and 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstop Gilbert Machado. The amount...