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From a developmental standpoint, 2014 was a massive year for Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor.
Selected out of high school as a sixth-round pick back in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, Taylor was viewed as a potential center fielder at the big league level early on because of his speed and defensive ability. He made his way through the low levels of the Nats minor league system delivering on that reputation, but also struggling somewhat with the bat.
In 2010, his first taste of...
The Orioles continue to check the trade market for left-handed hitting outfielders in case they can't sign free agent Colby Rasmus.
One potential match could be found in Colorado, where Charlie Blackmon has been made available, according to FOX Sports.
From what I've gathered, the Orioles haven't engaged in talks with the Rockies concerning Blackmon, but they're doing their homework on him and could get involved.
The Rockies apparently are seeking a starting pitcher in return for Blackmon,...
A lot of baseball fans think that free agency is to blame for the large guaranteed salaries in the majors. And while there is no doubt a lot of truth to that, salary arbitration may be the real culprit.
During a player's first few seasons, the team holds the cards. Most players work for a salary at or near the major league minimum. Still a nice payday (a little over $500,000 now), but nowhere near what is to come if they continue to play well.
That first year of salary arbitration is when...
It may be a relatively quiet Saturday for the Orioles compared to yesterday, when they settled with four arbitration-eligible players, exchanged salary figures with six others, outrighted catcher Ryan Lavarnway to Triple-A Norfolk and announced details on the autograph stations at FanFest.
Still no word on a left-handed hitting outfielder, however, which remains a top priority.
Nori Aoki reached agreement with the Giants yesterday on a deal reportedly worth $4 million in 2015 that includes a...
The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with infielder Chris Davis, left-hander Brian Matusz, right-hander Chris Tillman and catcher Matt Wieters on one-year contracts, thus avoiding arbitration.
Davis, 28, hit .196/.300/.404 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI in 127 games for the Orioles in 2014.
Matusz, 27, was 2-3 with a 3.48 ERA (51.2IP, 20ER) in 63 games for the Orioles in 2014.
Tillman, 26, was 13-6 with a 3.34 ERA (207.1IP, 77ER) in a career-high 34 starts for the Orioles...
No doubt some Orioles fans and local media too are probably a little confused over the situation involving Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette and the Toronto Blue Jays.
There is plenty of speculation, but few actual answers right now. Will he or won't he become the president and CEO of the Blue Jays?
That uncertainty extends north, to Toronto, where reporters are not only not getting answers, they are not getting any comments whatsoever from the management of...
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he expects the team to have one or two arbitration hearings next month after salary figures were exchanged earlier today.
The Orioles haven't gone to a hearing since beating pitcher Brad Bergesen on Feb. 9, 2012. They're 7-0 in cases led by general counsel H. Russell Smouse.
Hearing dates run from Feb. 1-21.
In case you missed it in a previous blog entry, here are the figures:
* Alejandro De Aza submitted $5.650 million and the Orioles...
When discussing possible in-house replacements for Tyler Clippard in the eighth-inning role, the names of Aaron Barrett and Blake Treinen have been thrown around by myself and others.
Both are young and still relatively inexperienced at the big league level, but both have shown promise in their limited major league action.
There's a far more experienced option in the organization that we haven't talked much about since the trade that sent Clippard to the A's, however.
That option is Matt...
Catcher Ryan Lavarnway has finally cleared waivers.
The Orioles announced today that Lavarnway has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk after they designated him for assignment on Jan. 9 to create room for outfielder Delmon Young on the 40-man roster.
Lavarnway was claimed off waivers from the Cubs on Dec. 23. He previously was selected off waivers by the Dodgers on Dec. 5 and the Cubs on Dec. 19.
Teams kept claiming Lavarnway until this week.
Lavarnway, 27, batted .283/.389/.370 in 62 games for...
The Orioles will have four autograph stations set up at their annual FanFest on Jan. 31 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with early entry for Orioles season plan members at 10 a.m.
Autograph vouchers go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at orioles.com/fanfest.
The autograph sessions begin at 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:20 p.m. and 4:40 p.m., and each will include three Orioles players, staff or alumni.
Chris Davis, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Manny...