DALLAS - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has trade proposals and free-agent contract offers on the table, mostly for pitching, but he isn't expecting a deal to be completed tonight. If an agreement is reached, it's more likely to happen tomorrow.
Duquette confirmed that he met several times with the Chicago White Sox regarding their pitching, which means Gavin Floyd and John Danks. White Sox general manager Kenny Williams told reporters earlier today that he hadn't received...
DALLAS - The Orioles have signed pitcher Brandon Erbe to a minor league contract, keeping him in the organization that drafted him out of McDonogh High School.
Erbe, a third-round selection in 2005, was designated for assignment over the summer and cleared waivers. The Orioles outrighted him to short-season Single-A Aberdeen in August. He was a minor league free agent.
Erbe underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum on Aug. 13, 2010, and it's been a long road back to recovery. He went 0-1...
DALLAS - Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams told reporters today that he's not getting suitable offers for his pitchers, so he's inclined to hold onto them at the moment.
This news impacts the Orioles, who are looking for pitching - in case you hadn't heard - and might have made a run at Gavin Floyd or John Danks.
Of course, Williams could change his stance with one phone call, meeting or elevator ride. I'm just giving you the current update.
Also, I heard earlier today...
DALLAS - Just to keep the rumor mill from spinning completely out of control, I'll try to slow it a little by passing along confirmation that the Orioles aren't interested in Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano.
The Cubs reportedly are trying to convince the Orioles to take Soriano and are willing to absorb most of the $54 million he's owed.
I'm told that the Orioles will pass on that offer.
Keep in mind that the Cubs approached the Orioles. I never heard that the Orioles initiated talks....
DALLAS - The Chicago White Sox and Tampa Rays have pitching to spare. The Orioles want a frontline starter to stabilize their rotation and take a little more pressure off the young arms.
So how exactly are they supposed to match up?
That's the burning question here at the Hilton Anatole.
As I wrote earlier, White Sox general manger Kenny Williams would move Gavin Floyd or John Danks, but he wants young pitching in return. He's also in the market for an outfield prospect.
The Orioles are...
DALLAS - If you're anticipating that the Orioles will make a move today, look for it to be a trade. And expect it to involve a starter or reliever.
Could Mount St. Joseph grad Gavin Floyd be in the mix? The White Sox apparently are willing to move him, and the Orioles have coveted him for years.
Well, former president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail was a big admirer. I doubt that executive vice president Dan Duquette has any issues with Floyd.
Pure speculation. I'm just saying that...
DALLAS - Rick Peterson reportedly is no longer a candidate to become Boston's pitching coach. I mention it because Peterson interviewed last week for the Orioles' minor league pitching coordinator job.
Here are some comments from executive vice president Dan Duquette:
"There were mostly trade discussions today, and some free agent discussions. But primarily trade discussions," he said.
"There seems to be more relievers in the market. I haven't found anybody to make a deal yet, so I...
DALLAS - I'll post quotes later, but I wanted to pass along the highlights from today's media session with executive vice president Dan Duquette.
Duquette said he met with about 12 teams today and spoke to six or seven others. He has a few more meetings scheduled for tonight.
Duquette said most of the activity today centered on trade discussions, and 65 percent of it involved pitching.
The Orioles are in the market for a veteran starter who can provide stability to the rotation, but they...
DALLAS - As of 4:30 p.m., the Orioles hadn't met with the agent for outfielder/DH Manny Ramirez.
Or should that be DH/outfielder?
Anyway, the Orioles aren't dismissing the idea of pursing Ramirez.
"I don't think we're in a position to completely close the door on anything," manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't think we're far enough along with anything to say that's in, that's out, but we'll see."
The Orioles have held internal discussions about Ramirez, but "not in depth,"...
DALLAS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is meeting with the media. I'll pass along a few notes here, and check Steve Melewski's blog for quotes.
Showalter laughed and shook his head when asked whether the Orioles signed Prince Fielder today. Maybe the results of the physical haven't come back yet.
Kidding.
Showalter repeated that every team here is looking for pitching. It's the "one common denominator," he said.
Jim Johnson's role for 2012 remains undecided. He could be a starter...
DALLAS - The Twins claimed shortstop Pedro Florimon off waivers from the Orioles.
The Orioles needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the Rule 5 draft.
Also, pitcher Pedro Viola cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.
Florimon, who turns 25 on Saturday, went 1-for-8 for the Orioles in 2011, making his major league debut Sept. 10 at Toronto.
DALLAS - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed to MASN this morning that he's interested in free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. However, he warns fans not to get their hopes up.
The Orioles won't get in a bidding war for Fielder, but the market may be softening for the slugger, which would allow teams on the peripheral to become involved. That includes the Orioles and Mariners.
Duquette doesn't know where the market is going for Fielder, but he's paying close...
DALLAS - I'm happy to report that legendary third baseman Brooks Robinson is here as part of baseball's Golden Era Committee, which voted Ron Santo into the Hall of Fame, and that he's feeling much better these days.
Robinson looked frail and unsteady during the ceremony on Oct. 22 to unveil his statue outside of Camden Yards. He's had a litany of health issues, and will undergo two more procedures this winter, but he seems to be doing fine.
He stood for quite a while as reporters...
DALLAS - Major League Baseball's Golden Era Committee has voted Cubs legend Ron Santo into the Hall of Fame.
Santo needed 12 votes to earn 75 percent. He received 15 of the 16.
It's unfortunate that Santo isn't alive to enjoy it. He passed away Dec. 3, 2010.
The Committee got it right. Just a year too late.
Jim Kaat received 10 votes. Gil Hodges and Minnie Minoso each received nine votes, and Tony Oliva eight.
Brooks Robinson is part of the Committee, and he's here today. I'll post...
DALLAS - That's technically correct. Yesterday wasn't supposed to count. The Winter Meetings officially begin today.
So why am I so tired already?
Maybe it's from having to change rooms when I returned to my hotel around midnight. The temperature inside had reached 100 degrees, according to a maintenance guy who used some sort of infra-red light, pointed toward the ceiling vent, to determine that I could roast a chicken in my bed.
Talk about a Rotisserie league ...
(Sorry, that's the...
DALLAS - As soon as news broke earlier today that outfielder Manny Ramirez had applied for reinstatement, everyone here pretty much held the same thought:
Would Dan Duquette try to sign him again?
Duquette gave Ramirez an eight-year, $160 million deal with the Red Sox back in December 2000. Ramirez could be secured at a much lower rate this winter, and the Orioles are looking to add another bat to their lineup.
The designated hitter slot is open, but is Duquette open to a reunion?
He...
DALLAS - The Winter Meetings haven't officially started, but Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette already has met with a few teams and introduced his two latest front office hires to the media.
Duquette is looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder who can back up Adam Jones in center and maybe platoon in left. He also wants to "support" the pitching staff and improve the club's defense - which might take us back to that left-handed hitting outfielder.
The local media met with...
DALLAS - The Orioles confirmed today that they've hired former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as a special assistant to executive vice president Dan Duquette, and Fred Ferreiera as executive director of international recruiting.
Thomas, 75, built the 1993 Phillies team that won the National League pennant - winning Executive of the Year honors that year - but Ed Wade replaced him as GM after four straight losing seasons. He brings over five decades of experience in professional baseball....
The above phrase includes all the rumors that will surface at the Winter Meetings.
I'm sitting at my American Airlines gate, waiting to board my 7:05 a.m. flight to Dallas. I'm stuck in a middle seat. We're off to a good start.
I chose an airline that also filed for bankruptcy, but it's promised to honor all flights. I'll have to serve peanuts and push the drink cart down the aisle, but it's for a good cause.
Executive vice president Dan Duquette, manager Buck Showalter, new scouting...
I'm hearing that the Orioles could announce more hires in the front office tomorrow, one day before baseball's Winter Meetings begin in Dallas.
The restructuring continues, just as Dan Duquette promised after being hired as executive vice president of baseball operations.
According to multiple reports, the Orioles have hired former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as an assistant to Duquette. A deal apparently was reached earlier this week.
Another possible hire is Fred Ferreira as...
