Solid statuses for Wynns and Wojciechowski heading into spring

Solid statuses for Wynns and Wojciechowski heading into spring
By stating his intent to find a fourth catcher for the spring training roster, a minor league deal the most obvious avenue, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias revealed that Austin Wynns remains firmly in the Orioles' plans for 2020. It wasn't an assumption. The Orioles might have to clear more space on their 40-man roster over the winter and they're carrying three catchers. Elias keeps saying that he wants a veteran catcher to go with Wynns, Pedro Severino and Chance Sisco....
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Orioles adding Fredi González to coaching staff

Orioles adding Fredi González to coaching staff
The Orioles are nearing completion of the hiring process for their coaching staff, another item to cross off a long list of activities. Former Marlins and Braves manager Fredi González has been chosen as major league coach, according to a source. González inherits the title that belonged to José Hernández, who shifts to assistant hitting coach, per the source. Two of the three vacancies on the staff have been filled, including Anthony Sanders' hiring as first base coach. Sanders...
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Orioles sign Dilson Herrera to minor league deal

Orioles sign Dilson Herrera to minor league deal
The Orioles made a move this afternoon to increase their infield depth and perhaps provide another roster option in spring training. Maintaining a busy schedule this week with the Winter Meetings approaching, the Orioles signed 25-year-old utility player Dilson Herrera to a minor league contract. Herrera spent the 2019 season in Triple-A, where he hit .248/.330/.501 with 29 doubles, 24 home runs and 64 RBIs in 117 games with the Mets affiliate in Syracuse. His last tour in the majors came the...
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There's no mystery surrounding Orioles' biggest roster needs

There's no mystery surrounding Orioles' biggest roster needs
If we're ranking the Orioles' roster needs heading into the Winter Meetings, middle infield and starting pitching reside at the top of the list. They can be 1 and 1A. You can stack one on top of the other and not necessarily be wrong. Too close to call. The bullpen could use some tweaking and there are depth moves on the horizon, including a fourth catcher to join Pedro Severino, Chance Sisco and Austin Wynns. But executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias placed special emphasis...
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Elias on trading Bundy, the return and what could follow

Elias on trading Bundy, the return and what could follow
The Orioles aren't waiting until next week's Winter Meetings to get busy in the trade market. Two days after sending infielder Jonathan Villar to the Marlins rather than non-tendering him, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias dealt starting pitcher Dylan Bundy to the Angels for four minor league pitchers. Who's next? Elias obtained right-handers Isaac Mattson, Kyle Bradish, Zach Peek and Kyle Brnovich in exchange for Bundy, the fourth overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player...
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Orioles' trade approach and more on Lucas and Rogers

Orioles' trade approach and more on Lucas and Rogers
The Winter Meetings that officially begin Monday in San Diego are going to be filled with the usual trade and free agent rumors that flood the hotel lobby and cause sportswriters to nearly spill their Starbucks while rushing to get confirmation. Here's what you need to remember about the Orioles: Whatever deals are discussed with rival executives most likely will involve lower-level minor leaguers. I wrote about the Orioles' acquisition aim at the July deadline, how it wasn't an aberration...
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Taking another look at Bleier signing and Villar's departure

Taking another look at Bleier signing and Villar's departure
The next order of baseball business is behind the Orioles. They tendered contracts yesterday to five of their seven arbitration-eligible players, signed reliever Richard Bleier and traded infielder Jonathan Villar to the Marlins. The 40-man roster holds 38 players, leaving room for multiple selections in the Dec. 12 Rule 5 draft in San Diego. Coming up are five days at the Winter Meetings if you count Sunday's travel. The race to catch return flights on Thursday begins late in the...
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Elias on trade, tenders and more

Elias on trade, tenders and more
The Orioles were resigned to letting infielder Jonathan Villar walk away earlier today with nothing in return until trade interest picked up during the afternoon and led to a trade with the Marlins. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias stated on a conference call that conversations with other teams picked up three to four hours prior to the 8 p.m. deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players. The Marlins offered young left-hander Easton Lucas and a deal was...
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Bleier agrees to terms (Villar traded to Marlins)

Bleier agrees to terms (Villar traded to Marlins)
The Orioles are down to six unsigned arbitration-eligible players after agreeing to terms with reliever Richard Bleier. It's going to be a busy day in the warehouse. Bleier figured to be the first domino to fall, especially with significant progress made over the weekend. Still unresolved, however, are the statuses of infielders Jonathan Villar and Hanser Alberto, infielder/outfielder Trey Mancini, starter Dylan Bundy and relievers Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro. Bundy is a strong candidate...
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Deadline arriving to tender contracts to arbitration-eligibles

Deadline arriving to tender contracts to arbitration-eligibles
The Orioles are plunging into a new week with Dylan Bundy still on the roster and a candidate to be traded or non-tendered. The deadline for the latter is 8 p.m. tonight. There are seven arbitration-eligible players on the club, including reliever Richard Bleier, who's going to be tendered a contract. I'm hearing that significant progress was made yesterday on a new deal to avoid arbitration. He'll be back in the bullpen. Bleier made $572,500 this season and MLBTradeRumors.com projected that...
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Rogers determined to pitch next season

Rogers determined to pitch next season
Undergoing one Tommy John surgery isn't an unusual occurrence for a pitcher. It's almost become the norm, happening at earlier ages with a higher level of success rates. The panic factor isn't as intense. But two of the exact same procedures? Orioles left-hander Josh Rogers could feel cursed, but his latest recovery process is lined in silver. As he sees it, there are advantages attached to the familiarity. He knows what to expect and how to tweak the routine. The Orioles announced on July 3...
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More on Villar's placement on outright waivers

More on Villar's placement on outright waivers
Jonathan Villar was placed on outright waivers yesterday and he's still on them. No team has claimed him. No team seems willing to pay whatever he's going to make in arbitration, a salary that's expected to reach $10 million and maybe more. What's left to say about the situation? The Orioles are trying hard to trade him, as I've reported. They were in an aggressive mode at the July deadline, with the Cubs one of the teams engaged in talks, but no one took the bait. Executive vice...
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Are the Orioles close to trading Bundy? (Villar on waivers)

Are the Orioles close to trading Bundy? (Villar on waivers)
There are no untouchables on the Orioles roster as they move through the offseason, a point made clear by executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and others in the organization. Only varying levels of motivation to move certain players. Dylan Bundy has been a candidate to change teams, though the rotation already is flimsy and prospects aren't going to be rushed as replacements. He's arbitration-eligible again and MLBTradeRumors.com projects his salary rising to $5.7 million,...
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Mancini ready to host Purple Tailgate

Mancini ready to host Purple Tailgate
The workouts, weddings and binge watching that have defined Trey Mancini's offseason will be put on hold this weekend as he hosts his first Purple Tailgate in Baltimore. The annual event will be held at the Stadium Square Lot on West Ostend Street prior to Sunday's NFL game between the Ravens and 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. All proceeds will be donated to the #MoStrong initiative and Kamryn Lambert Foundation. It's an extension of the friendship that's developed between Mancini and Mo...
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Taking another quizzical look at the Orioles

Taking another quizzical look at the Orioles
What's worse than the pop quiz I handed out on a Sunday? How about one around the holidays? This is what happens when you attend a school with no days off. You knew the risk. The first item crossed off the shopping list will be: Starting pitcher Reliever Middle infielder None of the above The opening day third baseman will be: Rio Ruiz Hanser Alberto Someone who isn't on the current roster None of the above Richie Martin will begin the year: At shortstop In a utility role At Triple-A Norfolk...
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Which minor league signings could vie for jobs in camp?

Which minor league signings could vie for jobs in camp?
The batches of minor league signings that are completed throughout the offseason are aimed to increase depth and competition in the organization. Very little to get fans excited, but a necessity that unfolds all over baseball. The winners and the rebuilders. No one is immune. The Orioles announced a dozen names yesterday, including nine who are returning after a brief dalliance with free agency. Mason Williams was an early target after refusing his outright assignment and he's back to compete...
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Orioles announce plans for "Winter Warm-Up"

Orioles announce plans for "Winter Warm-Up"
The Orioles have announced plans to hold their first "Winter Warm-Up" event on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Camden Yards. This is one of the ideas intended to connect fans to the team, with others in the formative stages. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias, assistant Sig Mejdal and manager Brandon Hyde will participate in a "special conversation," per the team's press release. MASN's Rob Long will serve as emcee. The Orioles describe the atmosphere as Eutaw...
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Mason Williams among 12 players signed to minors deals

Mason Williams among 12 players signed to minors deals
With center field depth an offseason priority for the Orioles, they agreed to terms with Mason Williams on a minor league contract that's certain to include an invitation to spring training in February. Williams is included among a dozen names tweeted earlier today by the club. And he's arguably the most important given the position and impression he made at Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles also agreed to terms with pitchers Cristian Alvarado, Hunter Cervenka, Francisco Jiménez and Rob...
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Digging deeper into the hiring of Rosenbaum and Rowe

Digging deeper into the hiring of Rosenbaum and Rowe
The new hires and reassignments in the Orioles' minor league system that were made public yesterday in a press release included a batch of names from outside professional baseball. As expected and, in some cases, already reported. Tim Gibbons, the hitting coach at Double-A Bowie, worked as director of hitting at Elite Sports Training. Ryan Fuller, the hitting coach at Single-A Delmarva, comes from Power in Training. These aren't affiliates. There are recent interns, trainees and apprentices....
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Source: Orioles hire Anthony Sanders as first base coach

Source: Orioles hire Anthony Sanders as first base coach
The Orioles are down to two vacancies on their major league coaching staff. A deal was finalized today to make Anthony Sanders the first base coach, according to a source. The Orioles haven't announced it. The sides drew close to an agreement late last week, and the final details have been completed. Sanders, 45, replaces Arnie Beyeler, who was told last month that he wouldn't be retained after one season. Sanders also can assume Beyeler's duties as outfield instructor based on his...
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