If you've been reading here for a while, you are probably quite familiar with today's blog format and it doesn't take much explaining on my end. Today I've posed 10 questions and are looking for your responses. Answer one question or all 10. Provide short answers or long. Respond to answers by other readers. It's all good. Here are the questions: 1. Who do you like to become the next general manager of the Orioles? 2. Who do you like to become the next manager of the Orioles? 3. Will the...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Spencer Kieboom, who was supposed to be in D.C. short-term but wound up sticking around most of the season. PLAYER REVIEW: SPENCER KIEBOOM Age on opening day 2019: 28 How acquired: Fifth-round pick, 2012 draft MLB service time: 149 days 2018 salary: $545,000 Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2021, free agent in 2024 2018...

I'd love to provide a meaty update on the Orioles' interest in Cuban outfielders Victor Victor Mesa and Victor Mesa Jr. and pitcher Sandy Gastón. However, there isn't much more to write beyond the presence of five representatives at the workout in Miami, the meeting that transpired the following day with the players, their families and agent Barry Praver, and the likelihood that an offer has been submitted for Victor Victor. The Orioles are keeping their business out of the press, whether...

When Baseball America released its latest organizational rankings in early August, the Orioles fell three spots. Ranked No. 17 at the start of the 2018 season, they were now ranked No. 20 among all the farm systems in baseball. That seemed strange since it followed the July trades in which the Orioles added 15 players to their organization, including one top-100 prospect in outfielder Yusniel Díaz. Baseball America ranks him at No. 44. So after adding that talent, the Orioles fell in the...

I wrote earlier in the week about decisions pending on the arbitration-eligible players. MLBTradeRumors.com came out with their annual projections on raises, which will be referenced here multiple times in the coming months. Jonathan Villar is expected to have his salary bumped from $2.55 million to $4.4 million after batting a combined .260/.325/.384 with 14 doubles, a triple, 14 home runs, 46 RBIs and 35 stolen bases in 40 attempts over 141 games, the last 54 with the Orioles. The Orioles...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Mark Reynolds, who joined the club in May out of necessity and wound up contributing the rest of the season. PLAYER REVIEW: MARK REYNOLDS Age on opening day 2019: 35 How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, April 2018 MLB service time: 11 years, 120 days 2018 salary: $1 million Contract status: Free agent 2018 stats: 86 G, 235 PA, 206 AB, 26 R,...

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop had a career year in 2017 and was named Most Valuable Oriole. He's had a pretty terrible year in 2018 and didn't start any of the three games for the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series against Colorado. Here's a crazy thought: Has Schoop played so poorly for the Brewers that they will non-tender him, making him a free agent? Could that lead to him re-signing with his old team, the Orioles? If that scenario played out, he could then team...

A new manager for the Orioles likely will bring in his own pitching coach rather than inherit Roger McDowell. It's the usual outcome. Few coaches carry over to the next skipper. The ones that do should receive an award bearing Elrod Hendricks' name. Manager Mike Hargrove inherited Eddie Murray on his 2000 staff, giving him an extra coach and forcing Brian Graham, formerly on the Indians' staff, to the press box as the "eye in the sky." Graham also was given the title of "offensive and...

Here is an update on a couple of minor league pitching prospects who came to the Nationals via mid-season trades for veterans. They both attended and worked out at instructional league after the season ended. RHP Andrew Istler 26 years old 5-foot-11, 175 lbs. 2015 Round 23, Dodgers Duke Andrew Istler was involved in the trade that sent right-hander Ryan Madson to the Dodgers. He pitched 29 games for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers in the Texas League. In his last 10 games, Istler went 2-1 with a...

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 Wieters, who finished strong after a slow start followed by a significant injury. PLAYER REVIEW: MATT WIETERS Age on opening day 2019: 32 How acquired: Signed as free agent, February 2017 MLB service time: 9 years, 129 days 2018 salary: $10.5 million Contract status: Free agent 2018 stats: 76 G, 271 PA, 235 AB, 24 R, 56 H, 8 2B, 0 3B, 8 HR, 30 RBI,...