Roch Kubatko
Roch Kubatko

Gregg on Gregg

Gregg on Gregg
New Orioles reliever Kevin Gregg hears some pitchers talk about how they want no part of the American League East. Gregg can't relate to it. He closed for the Blue Jays last season and will gladly take the ball - preferably in the ninth inning. "The American League East is considered the best division in baseball. I'm not scared of it," Gregg said during today's conference call with reporters. "I didn't want to back away or run from it. I'm up to the challenge. I like it. I'm...
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Roch Kubatko

Kevin Gregg finally official

Kevin Gregg finally official
The results of Kevin Gregg's physical are back, and he passed. They're now hanging on Andy MacPhail's refrigerator. I made up the last part, but I needed a laugh. Gregg has signed his contract, a two-year deal for $10 million that includes a vesting option for 2013. He's expected to get first crack at the closers job in spring training after recording 121 saves over the last four seasons. Gregg's signing leaves the Orioles with 39 players on their 40-man roster. I interviewed former...
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Frank Robinson hospitalized (updated)

Frank Robinson hospitalized (updated)
In case you haven't heard, Hall of Famer Frank Robinson was taken to Scottsdale Memorial Hospital this morning because of dizziness and an irregular heartbeat. I don't have any updates, but I wanted to alert you. Here's the MLB.com story. Robinson, 75, is a senior vice president of Major League operations. He's also one of the greatest players in baseball history and a cherished member of the Orioles family. You can't overstate what he meant to the franchise. He might not be the...
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Roch Kubatko

VandenHurk not worried about roster spot

VandenHurk not worried about roster spot
Rick VandenHurk hasn't been obsessing over every pitcher that the Orioles add to their camp roster, though each move could impact his future in the organization. If it's me, I'm keeping a chart and pacing the floor. I might be up to two packs a day. VandenHurk is out of minor league options and would have to be exposed to waivers and outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk if he doesn't make the club in spring training. The Orioles want to add a veteran starter and one more reliever, but that...
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Roch Kubatko

Nothing official with Gregg

Nothing official with Gregg
Sorry to leave you hanging, but I won't be passing along quotes today from reliever Kevin Gregg. I hope that you didn't plan your entire day around it - like I did. I'm sure you're smarter. The Orioles are still waiting to receive the results from his physical. The weather might have played a factor in the delay. No reason to fret. We'll probably get the announcement tomorrow morning and it will be business as usual. Gregg agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with a vesting...
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Roch Kubatko

Jim Johnson says he's "focused and ready for the season"

Jim Johnson says he's "focused and ready for the season"
One of the things that manager Buck Showalter likes about his roster is it includes players who have a chip on their shoulders. (As opposed to Sidney Ponson, who had potato chip crumbs on his chest. Not the same.) Showalter wants guys who find extra motivation in the idea that they have something to prove - and you can include Mark Reynolds, J.J. Hardy and Derrek Lee in that group. Does Jim Johnson belong in it? Johnson emerged as a dominant setup man in 2008, using his heavy sinker to post...
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Jim Johnson says elbow "a non-issue"

Jim Johnson says elbow "a non-issue"
I just got off the phone with Orioles reliever Jim Johnson, who had plenty to say about his right elbow, his motivation for the 2011 season and all the changes that have been made to the roster. Johnson lives in Sarasota during the winter, so he basked in 70-degree weather today while many of us braced for more snow. His in-laws live in Annapolis, so he's fully aware that we're not working on our tans. Johnson played catch again today at Ed Smith Stadium. He's been throwing for the last...
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Roch Kubatko

Closing argument (and spring training note)

Closing argument (and spring training note)
The snow is coming, the snow is coming. Still love the changing of the seasons? Still think this is better than 75 and sunny? Listen closely and you'll hear my eyes rolling. The forecast is calling for two to four inches here, which probably means a foot. Fortunately, Santa brought me gloves. Reliever Kevin Gregg is scheduled to take his physical today. He might want to limit the small talk and get back to the airport before the storm hits. Gregg probably will be made available to the...
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Roch Kubatko

20 years ago today ...

20 years ago today ...
A reader was kind enough to remind me that today is the 20-year anniversary of arguably the worst trade in Orioles history (if anyone is still arguing it). I won't rush out to Greetings & Readings. The occasion doesn't call for a card. You're better off with a stiff drink and a short memory. Twenty years ago today, the Orioles traded three players to the Houston Astros for first baseman Glenn Davis. You might recognize the names: Curt Schilling, Pete Harnisch and Steve Finley. Those guys...
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Camp battles include Pie and Reimold

Camp battles include Pie and Reimold
More snow is on the way tomorrow, so make sure you have plenty of milk, bread and toilet paper. Those are the staples. Well, you don't want staples in your toilet paper, but you should stock up anyway. I'm continuing to make my spring training arrangements, which includes booking a flight to Sarasota and returning home from Tampa after the opening three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Seems like only a year ago that I did the exact same thing. It would be a lot easier...
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Who bats leadoff if it isn't Roberts?

Who bats leadoff if it isn't Roberts?
If the Orioles are going to avoid another 2-16 start, if they're going to make significant progress in 2011 and stop ripping their fans' hearts out, Brian Roberts will need to stay healthy and stay in the lineup. That said, it wouldn't hurt to have a Plan B for the leadoff spot. The Orioles are close to finishing their roster moves for the winter. A left-handed reliever and starting pitcher remain on the shopping list. As you've heard, one of the available designated hitters would have to...
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Ohman off the board

Ohman off the board
Former Orioles left-hander Will Ohman has agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to this tweet, and this one, from SI.com's Jon Heyman. News broke yesterday that Ohman had narrowed his choices to three American League teams. The Orioles bowed out once it became clear that Ohman could haul in this type of deal. I don't think they're looking to invest much more in their bullpen, and they're not inclined to offer multiple years here, but they'll sign...
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Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
It's snowing lightly and Carroll County schools are closed. Of course, they would have been closed anyway on a Saturday. It's the perfect storm. I found a few leftover quotes while sifting through my notebook. Here's one from president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, on the day that the Orioles signed first baseman Derrek Lee: "He's a productive middle-of-the-lineup hitter to begin with. It's very tough for him to come out of the lineup, That was obvious last year when he had a...
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Where will Derrek Lee bat?

Where will Derrek Lee bat?
Carroll County schools are opening two hours late today. I knew it was coming once I heard the forecast calling for that extremely light dusting of snow. I guess it qualifies as snow. I've seen more of a buildup on my dining room table. I'd love to know how people in Michigan and Illinois react to this delay. Their schools open on time in three feet of snow, but not here. Nope. We have a light dusting. I hope you stored up on canned goods. Everybody ... to the basement! Anyway, I asked...
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Roch Kubatko

Showalter talks about Derrek Lee

Showalter talks about Derrek Lee
I had a nice chat with manager Buck Showalter earlier today, and Derrek Lee was the primary subject. The timing seemed right. Showalter wanted to make sure that Lee's signing was official before he commented. I assured him that the Orioles sent out the press release and arranged a conference call. We were good. "I think he brings a presence in our lineup and in our clubhouse, and a certain pedigree, so to speak, of quality play," Showalter said. "The thing that's intriguing is, the...
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Roch Kubatko

What's left for the Orioles?

What's left for the Orioles?
The Orioles remain focused on a left-handed reliever and a veteran starter as we count down the final weeks before spring training. And they're not expected to sign anyone in the near future. There isn't much of a distinction among the remaining pitchers on the market, so yes, they'll let it play out and wait for the prices to fall. As for adding another bat - and the Vladimir Guerrero rumor has suddenly gained momentum - the door hasn't completely slammed shut on him, but his price...
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Derrek Lee interview - Part II

Derrek Lee interview - Part II
Derrek Lee admitted today that the Orioles weren't on his "radar" when the off-season began, mostly because he wanted to play on the West Coast and be closer to home. His agent, Mike Milchin, kept bringing up the Orioles, and they eventually agreed to a one-year deal, which became official this morning. "I'd watch 'SportsCenter,' go on their Web site," Lee said. "I saw the guys they were signing, how they finished up, and I looked at their lineup and I saw what Buck (Showalter) did...
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Derrek Lee interview - Part I

Derrek Lee interview - Part I
Derrek Lee is getting a second chance to be the Orioles' first baseman. The Orioles almost traded for Lee in the winter of 2003. They couldn't work out an extension, the talks with the Marlins fell apart and Lee was dealt to the Chicago Cubs for Hee-Seop Choi and Mike Nannini. How close did Lee come to being an Oriole? "Very close," he said today during a conference call with reporters. "I was sitting in the offices at Camden Yards with my family and we were literally going back and...
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Derrek Lee signing official

Derrek Lee signing official
First baseman Derrek Lee has passed his physical and signed a one-year contract, which could pay him up to $10 million, including bonuses. Lee, 35, will be made available to reporters in a conference call this afternoon. He's already returned home. Lee hit .260 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs last season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. In 170 career games against the American League, Lee has batted .311 (191-for-615) with 27 homers, 103 RBIs and a .530...
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This, that and the other

This, that and the other
I'll begin today's entry by pointing out that Jami Gertz was on "Modern Family" last night and that did not make me unhappy. I'm a big fan of her ... work. Yes, we'll go with "work." Reminder that the Orioles will announce the Derrek Lee signing today and he'll be made available to reporters in a conference call. I'll pass along his comments later. Left-hander Mark Hendrickson has a unique way of distracting himself during the off-season and not obsessing over his free agent...
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