Roch Kubatko
Roch Kubatko

Still waiting and wondering

Still waiting and wondering
Maybe this will be the day that someone returns a phone call, text message or e-mail. Well, someone besides the electrician who's stopping by my house to check on my smoke detectors. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and concerns. They were greatly appreciated. Too bad this electrician isn't a possibility to serve on manager Buck Showalter's coaching staff. The guy spoke to me twice yesterday. Rather than talk about a coach being hired, we can eliminate Brian Butterfield, who's...
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More pitching coaches needed

More pitching coaches needed
It didn't take long for the Yankees to react to their ouster from the ALCS. They fired pitching coach Dave Eiland today. Somebody had to be the scapegoat. General manager Brian Cashman refused to provide any reasons, but my guess is he wasn't happy with the pitching. The Red Sox also are in the market for a pitching coach after John Farrell was named Blue Jays manager. That's two teams within the division. And Farrell might want to make his own changes. Meanwhile, the Orioles might be...
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Werth every penny

Werth every penny
In case you skipped last night's Packers-Vikings game, you missed this exchange between sideline reporter Andrea Kremer and Green Bay receiver Donald Driver: Kremer: "What's the team have to do to get back in the win column?" Driver: "Just win." Back to you. Former Ravens cornerback Frank Walker was called for defensive holding. No, seriously. But he didn't climb up a receiver's back and wrestle him to the ground while the ball was in the air, so that's a good thing. It still...
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The Happy Slacker

The Happy Slacker
So much for my Yankees-Phillies prediction. I really liked the Phillies to win it all. Then again, I also liked New Coke, so don't go by me. I'm glad that Aubrey Huff, dubbed the "Happy Slacker" by Sun columnist Peter Schmuck, is getting a chance to play in the World Series. It looked like he could barely choke back the tears last night. You'd be emotional, too, if you spent all those years playing at Tropicana Field before the Rays actually got good. I can't slam the Orioles for...
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Roch Kubatko

Should Kranitz return?

Should Kranitz return?
My thermostat says it's 63 degrees. I don't want to turn on my heat yet...but my thermostat says it's 63 degrees. Should we hold a moment of silence for the Yankees? I didn't think so. Alex Rodriguez taking a called third strike to end the ALCS brought a smile to my face. I won't lie. Is there any doubt that the Yankees will throw about $400 million at Cliff Lee this winter? The Rangers are actually in the World Series. Somewhere, Oddibe McDowell is smiling. So is Buck Showalter,...
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Roch Kubatko

Should Orioles consider Mark Reynolds?

Should Orioles consider Mark Reynolds?
This is the time of year when we suggest ways that the Orioles can improve their roster. We know the needs, but who fills them? Third baseman Brandon Inge is off the market after signing a two-year extension with the Tigers. I'm not sure how many of you had penciled him into your Opening Day lineup. So what about Mark Reynolds? I bring up his name because I'm told that one of the talk shows on sports-radio KTAR in Phoenix devoted significant air time to the idea of the Arizona...
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Angelos, MacPhail and Showalter meet

Angelos, MacPhail and Showalter meet
Not much to report on today's meeting that took place with majority owner Peter Angelos, president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail and manager Buck Showalter. MacPhail confirmed that it took place, but wouldn't provide any details. This meeting is held every October, though the manager isn't always present. They review the past season and hold their first formal discussion about where to go from here. You can be sure that a run-producing hitter was discussed, as well as the corner...
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Some spring training dates

Some spring training dates
It's never too early to look ahead to spring training. It enables me to skip winter and avoid that snow shovel. A few teams have released tentative schedules for exhibition games, and you can find a master Grapefruit League schedule right here. The Orioles play the Phillies March 8 in Clearwater and March 11 and 19 in Sarasota. They play the Astros March 12 in Kissimmee anad March 15 in Sarasota. Plan accordingly. The Cardinals released their schedule and the Orioles aren't on it....
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Allenson, Matusz, Tillman, etc. (updated)

Allenson, Matusz, Tillman, etc. (updated)
Did you see the report coming out of Peru about a coach from Sport Ancash, a professional soccer team, being accused of giving players from Hijos de Acosvinchos tainted water that resulted in their on-field collapse during a recent game? Poisoning the other team and causing a collapse? Maybe that explains the 2-16 start. I promised myself that I wouldn't mention the Orioles' coaching staff again until the club finally made an announcement, but here I go. I had a brief chat with Gary...
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Is Nakajima staying in Japan?

Is Nakajima staying in Japan?
I'm not a big Twitter guy, as you might have figured out, but I signed up so I could check the tweets - ugh - on NPB Tracker. Here's one of the first tweets - dear Lord - that I stumbled upon: "Looks like Seibu is not going to post Nakajima" That's 28-year-old Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, who has been heavily scouted by the Orioles. John Stockstill confirmed their interest last week. Here's a followup quote attributed to Seibu owner Goto: "If there's a hope we'll talk...
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Roch Kubatko

Deja vu all over again

Deja vu all over again
First it's June Cleaver, now Howard Cunningham. This hasn't been a good week for TV parents. If Rob Petrie dies, I'll stay curled up in a ball for weeks. A Yankee hits a long fly ball, the right fielder appears to be camped under it at the fence, and a fan reaches out and deflects it. Like that would ever happen in a playoff game. Did anyone else have flashbacks last night to the 1996 ALCS as Robinson Cano circled the bases and Nelson Cruz pointed into the first row of seats? Did you...
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Roch Kubatko

Today's flashback

Today's flashback
Baseball America's Matt Eddy released the latest list of minor league free agents, one of my favorite features from the publication. Eddy reported that the Orioles re-signed pitcher Raul Rivero, so everyone can relax. Actually, Rivero was 4-3 with a 3.06 ERA in 37 relief appearances - 22 with Single-A Frederick and 15 with Double-A Bowie. The Giants allowed pitcher Denny Bautista to become a free agent, which led to my quick stroll down memory lane. But I never know what to wear. I was...
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Items and questions

Items and questions
So when is Cliff Lee going to start dialing it up for the postseason? On my list of dream jobs, I'm adding "Cliff Lee's agent." To make room, I'm removing "Aubrey Huff's towel boy." Again, we're onto something here: Name your ideal sports job, and one that you'd find least appealing. I no longer have any interest in airbrushing Brett Favre's photos. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that Zack Greinke has until after the World Series to notify the Royals about the...
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Adams honored (w/AFL update)

Adams honored (w/AFL update)
Orioles infield prospect Ryan Adams and the Angels' Brandon Wood were named co-Players of the Week in the Arizona Fall League. Both third basemen collected at least one hit and an RBI in every game last week. Adams, the Orioles' second-round pick in the 2006 draft, batted .500 (6-for-12) with a one home run, seven RBIs and two runs scored. Adams hit .298 with 43 doubles, 15 home runs and 68 RBIs, with a .365 on-base percentage and .464 slugging percentage, at Double-A Bowie. In five...
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Roch Kubatko

Staff injections

Staff injections
There's a chill in the air this morning, which reminds me that winter is right around the corner. And my snow shovel is down in my laundry room, propped up against a wall and mocking me at every opportunity. I really need to buy gloves, but I'm not ready to concede that summer is over. I'll be playing tennis again and sitting outside with a grande skim latte. I just know it. I've officially grown tired of writing/talking/thinking about the Orioles' coaching staff, but the topic won't go...
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Roch Kubatko

Should the Orioles pursue Greinke?

Should the Orioles pursue Greinke?
Not much to say about the Orioles today, so let's talk about another team's player. Anybody want Zack Greinke? He's got two years and $27 million left on his contract and he's reportedly available - a status that seems to change daily. Here's the breakdown on his contract, courtesy of Cot's: Signed extension with Kansas City on 1/26/09 (avoided arbitration) 09:$3.75M, 10:$7.25M, 11:$13.5M, 12:$13.5M Limited no-trade protection in 2009, 2010 Award bonuses: $50,000 each for Gold Glove,...
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Roch Kubatko

A note of thanks from No. 22

A note of thanks from No. 22
It wasn't my birthday, but I received a nice surprise a few minutes ago. Jim Palmer submitted a comment to the blog that I wanted to post here, in case anyone missed it. As I always say, you never know who's reading. Roch, thanks for the kind words and birthday wishes. Please thank all your Oriole blogger fans for their gracious comments. Your blog and the fans response were a wonderful birthday present, even if my birthday made me the same age as the speed limit on the beltway! No...
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This, that & the other

This, that & the other
The Orioles were well-represented last night in the Arizona Fall League. Xavier Avery, leading off and playing center field, went 4-for-5 with a walk, stolen base and three runs scored in Scottsdale's 11-4 victory over Phoenix. I'm told that Avery is widely considered the fastest player in the AFL. Ryan Adams, starting again at third base, went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Catcher Caleb Joseph was 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Oliver Drake got the win after allowing two runs and...
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Birthday Cakes

Birthday Cakes
Jim Palmer is 65 today. How is this happening? If he's 65, that means we're all growing older, and that's not possible. I didn't sign any papers allowing it. I'll hire a Dream Team of lawyers and fight it in court. They can't do this to us. I'll always feel a certain connection to "Cakes" because he pitched in the first game I ever attended with my father at Memorial Stadium. Home games were rarely televised, so seeing the Orioles in their crisp white uniforms made my eyes bulge...
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Quick AFL update

Quick AFL update
Reliever Kam Mickolio allowed one hit, threw a wild pitch and struck out two batters in one inning for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League. Twelve of his 16 pitches were strikes. The Scorpions are trailing the Phoenix Desert Dogs, 2-0, in the sixth inning. Xavier Avery and Greg Miclat are a combined 0-for-5. More important, I wonder what Phoenix's mascot would look like if the team was known as the Dessert Dogs. Mickolio was touted as a future closer back in spring...
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