Two months after returning to the Orioles organization, Jeff Manto has learned that he will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame.
Manto is enjoying another hot stretch. He's a streaky guy.
Manto was hired in November as the Orioles minor league hitting coordinator. He replaced Mike Boulanger, who moved into an amateur and professional scouting role.
Now comes news that he's joining Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Dave Miley and Toledo broadcaster Jim Weber as the newest...
Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz has been working out in Arizona for most of the winter, but he flew to California earlier this month in order to meet new pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti.
His early impressions?
"It was great," Matusz said yesterday during a phone interview. "It was awesome that those guys were able to come out to the West Coast all the way from Florida. It was really good. I played catch. Zach (Britton) and I threw sides off a mound.
"Dom and...
Before former Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts reports to spring training with his new team, he'll continue to pull the occasional babysitting duty for his 6-month-old son, Jax, while wife Diana is able to work out or run errands.
Roberts recently signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the division-rival Yankees, taking him away from the organization that selected him in the supplemental round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft.
Got to feel weird, right?
"I think anybody who's...
While Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette continues his search for another starting pitcher, left-hander Brian Matusz is determined to win a spot in the rotation in spring training.
Matusz will work out as a starter at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, and he's gotten a head start this winter.
"That's the plan," he said earlier today. "This offseason, I've been long-tossing and stretching it out a bit."
He's also been working on his changeup to better defend himself against...
As the baseball industry long suspected, the free agent floodgates burst open once Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka finally chose a team.
Yes, Ty Wigginson and Endy Chavez signed minor league deals.
Taking a closer look, I also see that Matt Garza's four-year, $50 million deal with the Brewers finally became official after a suspicious delay in the announcement that had me wondering whether he failed his physical. Then I thought, that rarely happens anymore.
Grant Balfour signed a two-year,...
Orioles pitchers and catchers report to the spring training complex in Sarasota on Feb. 13. Maine residents arrived in the middle of January.
Ryan Flaherty needed to escape the cold and proceed with his workouts before heading to Baltimore for FanFest. He's going to show up as the favorite to start at second base.
Does his status change his offseason routine?
"Not really," he replied last week on WBAL Radio. "I've taken a lot from what I've learned the last couple years and I've tried...
Anyone know the identity of the Orioles' representative who watched Brett Tomko throw yesterday in California?
Tomko's brother, Scott, tweeted an update that said, "Great bullpen session by BT today for the #Orioles...I stood in & got a batter's perspective & his stuff was sharp."
From what I've been told, the Orioles didn't send any scouts, and a couple of front-office types claim that they knew nothing about it.
I just need a name. Who repped them?
In case you missed it, Tim...
The Orioles are no longer offering Tyler Colvin a major league deal following his physical, according to a source, and the outfielder remains on the free-agent market.
Colvin took the physical on Jan. 15 in Baltimore, according to multiple industry sources, but no announcement was forthcoming. Speculation began almost immediately that the Orioles weren't satisfied with the results, which a source later confirmed.
Colvin, 28, dealt with a disc injury in his back for the majority of the 2013...
The Orioles have signed another player to a minor league contract that doesn't include a spring training invitation, reaching agreement with Scott Savastano, who will report to Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota.
Agent Joe Rosen tweeted the news, offering congratulations on the signing.
Savastano, 27, has spent all six of his professional seasons in the Mariners organization and is a career .282/.360/.406 hitter. He batted .235/.293/.328 in 58 games with Triple-A Tacoma this year, with four...
Toward the end of last season, I approached Nick Markakis' locker and asked the right fielder whether his statistical decline could be blamed on his previous health issues. Markakis mentioned how he failed to make the necessary adjustments and it became a learning experience, which I found interesting, considering how he'd already spent eight years in the majors.
I guess you're never too old to learn.
I broached the subject with Markakis again last night on WBAL Radio's "Hot Stove...
The Orioles have signed left-hander Aaron Laffey to a minor league deal. At this point, his contract doesn't include an invitation to spring training.
Laffey will attend the minor league mini-camp on Feb. 22, and it's possible that he will be summoned to the Ed Smith Stadium complex at a later date. Otherwise, he'll do his throwing at Twin Lakes Park and attempt to win a job at Triple-A Norfolk.
Laffey, 28, has local ties. He was born in Cumberland and attended Allegany High School.
The...
A month after the Orioles pulled back their offer to free agent closer Grant Balfour, he's reportedly on the verge of signing with the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays.
Is anyone really surprised?
Balfour has landed another two-year deal, according to multiple reports. The Tampa Bay Times confirmed that it's worth $12 million.
The Rays scheduled a press conference for later today. Now, we know the reason behind it.
As you may have heard, the Orioles were prepared to sign Balfour for $15...
Before diving into this morning's blog entry, I'll quickly chime in on the Tyler Colvin news from last night.
It was obvious that something happened with the physical, since it took place on Jan. 15 and we still hadn't received an announcement on his signing. The Orioles have refused to acknowledge publicly that they reached agreement with him. They weren't thrilled that word leaked to the local media.
The Orioles usually wait until the results of a physical come back before confirming...
Now that the Yankees have signed Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka to a reported seven-year, $155 million deal, the rest of the free agent market should open wide for business. Isn't that the theory? Or maybe we should stick to the domino analogy.
As far as the Orioles are concerned, it doesn't suddenly increase their interest in Ervin Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez, who would cost a first-round pick.
It doesn't suddenly make Matt Garza more affordable. Or Bronson Arroyo more inclined to accept...
Figuring out the Orioles' bullpen in 2014 has been complicated by the apparent decision to make Tommy Hunter the closer and left-hander Troy Patton's 25-game suspension.
Removing Hunter from a set-up role creates room for another reliever. Losing Patton creates room for another left-hander. And there are a variety of candidates for the long-relief spot that belonged last year to Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland.
McFarland could return to that role. He could replace Patton for the first 25 games....
One of the national publications asks local beat writers each winter to pick a potential "difference maker" for their respective teams. A guy who is new to the organization or coming off an injury or a down season.
Last winter, I chose Nolan Reimold and noted how he got off to a sizzling start in 2012, batting .313/.333/.627 with six doubles, five homers and 10 RBIs in 16 games before a herniated disc in his neck led to surgery and the end of his season.
The Orioles eventually turned to...
One week after giving veteran hitter Jack Cust a tryout at their mini-camp in Sarasota, the Orioles will take a look at veteran pitcher Brett Tomko in Southern California.
Tomko's brother, Scott, reported the news, which has been passed along by a couple of national writers. The session will take place on Friday.
Tomko is on the comeback trail. He's 40 and hasn't pitched in the majors since making eight relief appearances with the Rangers in 2011. He spent last year with the York...
While the Orioles continue their search for another starter, they're placing a lot of faith in new pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti.
Last week's mini-camp was mostly set up to give Wallace and Chiti a head start at getting acquainted with their pitchers. They spent four days in Sarasota meeting individually with each one, then flew to California and sat down with a group that included Chris Tillman, Zach Britton, Miguel Gonzalez and Brian Matusz.
So far, the reviews...
Unless something goes horribly wrong with my day, I intend to immerse myself in the NFL playoffs and a giant bowl of chili.
I'll be sure to wear a snorkel.
It's the third week in January, which is too soon to give an accurate projection of the 25-man roster on opening day. But why not?
Starters
Chris Tillman
Wei-Yin Chen
Miguel Gonzalez
Bud Norris
Relievers
Tommy Hunter
Darren O'Day
Ryan Webb
Alfredo Aceves
Brian Matusz
Outfielders
Adam Jones
Nick Markakis
David Lough
Nolan...
The Orioles still haven't decided whether to sign veteran hitter Jack Cust to a minor league deal. Discussions continue on whether to bring him to spring training as one of the invites.
"It's still under consideration," said executive vice president Dan Duquette.
Cust worked out for three days this week at the mini-camp in Sarasota. He left the complex unsure if he would land a job.
The feeling here is that the Orioles will sign Cust as long as he's willing to begin the 2014 season at...
