This, that and the other

This, that and the other
As the Orioles continue making their final preparations for this weekend's FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center, they're also nearing the announcements on their major league and minor league coaching staffs and their non-roster invitees to spring training. One domino falls and others will tumble. The list of invitees could include infielders Ryan Mountcastle, Jace Peterson, Engelb Vielma, Sean Miller and Zach Vincej, outfielders Ryan McKenna, Yusniel Díaz and Christopher...
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Time to find out whether Mussina is headed to Hall of Fame

Time to find out whether Mussina is headed to Hall of Fame
We'll find out later today whether former Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina is going into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown or stuck again outside of its doors while the debate continues to rage over his worthiness. I keep voting for Mussina as a nod to his amazing consistency during the "steroid era," as it's become to be known, and while pitching in the grueling American League East. The 270 career wins, 3.68 ERA and 1.192 WHIP. The 82.9 WAR accumulated over 18 seasons, the first 10 with the...
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Losing a father and a hero

Losing a father and a hero
I thought that I had more time. More time to be with my dad even after the August diagnosis of esophagus cancer and the later news that it was Stage 4. Even after the stroke he suffered last Monday that put him in a hospital in Salisbury. Even after his oncologist decided last week to stop the treatments, my dad's body no longer able to handle the poison, and aim for quality of life at home. More time to say the things that, while he probably already knew, needed to be said again. My parents...
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Mullins on FanFest, his debut and staying humble

Mullins on FanFest, his debut and staying humble
Should we read anything into a FanFest autograph lineup that places Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins between first baseman Chris Davis and infielder Jonathan Villar at Station 1? Does this lend further credence to the notion that Mullins will sit atop another lineup, the one introduced on opening day? This could be a reach considering that Davis also is joined at Station 2 by minor league infielder Ryan Mountcastle and pitcher Yefry Ramírez. Mountcastle won't make the club out of...
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Checking on the coaches

Checking on the coaches
Have the Orioles completed their coaching staff for the 2019 season? They seem to be done as long as the latest names to surface are accurate and there isn't a sudden change of plans. I'm hearing that Howie Clark is likely to return after serving as assistant hitting coach for the past two seasons. He was offered a minor league contract after his deal expired on Oct. 31, but he's in line to be included on manager Brandon Hyde's staff. Clark served as Single-A Delmarva's hitting coach in...
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More on Davis and the catchers

More on Davis and the catchers
The Orioles aren't ready to announce their new coaching staff under manager Brandon Hyde, the assistant hitting coach believed to be the final piece. It's expected to happen soon, well in advance of the beginning of spring training. First baseman Chris Davis knows that Don Long is replacing Scott Coolbaugh as hitting coach. He hadn't heard any updates on the assistant hitting coach when we spoke a few days ago and didn't know whether Howie Clark, who held the job last summer, was assured of...
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Davis changes up winter workouts

Davis changes up winter workouts
A prearranged 3 p.m. phone interview didn't materialize yesterday until much later, the former home run champion losing track of time during his latest hitting session in Texas. "I didn't even realize how late it was," said Chris Davis. "At least I have a legit excuse." A really good one considering the scrutiny that he's subjected to regarding his offseason work. Davis has changed up his routine, including how he's training, while trying to regain his power stroke and belatedly give...
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Orioles release information on FanFest autograph stations

Orioles release information on FanFest autograph stations
The Orioles are mixing their glorious past with what they're hoping is going to become a promising future while announcing the autograph stations for their annual FanFest on Jan. 26 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson, Eddie Murray and Jim Palmer will sign for fans, the latter appearing at two of the three stations. Robinson and Murray were hired as special advisors last summer. Former Orioles Rick Dempsey, Boog Powell and Mike Bordick also will...
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Cashner on his health, Hyde and more

Cashner on his health, Hyde and more
The top three starters in the Orioles rotation will report to spring training without the physical ailments that interrupted or ended their 2018 seasons. Dylan Bundy's sprained left ankle has healed. Alex Cobb isn't bothered by the blisters that surfaced on his right index and middle fingers. Andrew Cashner no longer has bursitis in his left knee. A cortisone injection administered in September didn't provide the necessary relief for Cashner and he was done after his start on Sept. 12. He...
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Brocail hired as Orioles pitching coach

Brocail hired as Orioles pitching coach
The Orioles could be on the verge of announcing their coaching staff for the 2019 season as the last few vacancies are filled. Doug Brocail has been hired as pitching coach, according to an industry source. He's going to replace Roger McDowell, whose contract expired on Oct. 31. Brocail, 51, spent the past three seasons as the Rangers pitching coach before his dismissal in November. He owns previous ties to executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, working as the Astros pitching...
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Tossing out free agent suggestions for the Orioles

Tossing out free agent suggestions for the Orioles
The challenges for the Orioles in filling the holes in their roster include payroll limitations and enticing free agents without the promise of a winning season and playoff run. Using a championship ring as a selling point would ring hollow. We've gone over the list of needs, which more easily can be addressed via trades. Players don't have a choice, of course. Infielder Jonathan Villar was pulled from a pennant race at the non-waiver deadline and joined a team with the worst record in...
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Leftovers on Trumbo and upcoming meetings

Leftovers on Trumbo and upcoming meetings
One of the more popular offseason topics related to the Orioles is the implementation of analytics on a team that didn't exactly embrace them in the past. They weren't ignored, but getting everyone on the same page regarding their importance and how to use them was an impossible task. The levels of commitment to them resembled a staircase. Mark Trumbo is the latest Oriole to offer his approval of the plan being put in place by executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and...
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Reviewing the coaches, arbitration figures and Trumbo's recovery

Reviewing the coaches, arbitration figures and Trumbo's recovery
An exact date for the Orioles to announce their coaching staff doesn't exist. The closest you'll get is "fairly soon," or "shouldn't be too much longer." The process is playing out. Like everything else in a rebuild, patience is a requirement. No one from the 2018 staff is expected to stay in the organization. Third base coach Bobby Dickerson appeared to have a shot at one point, but it faded and he accepted a job as the Phillies' infield coach, the deal finalized late Thursday...
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Orioles claim Hanser Alberto off waivers (arbitration update)

Orioles claim Hanser Alberto off waivers (arbitration update)
The need for more infield depth led the Orioles earlier today to make another waiver claim. The Orioles have brought Hanser Alberto into the organization, with catcher Andrew Susac designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Alberto, 26, can play all four infield positions and is a career .309/.330/.438 hitter in 1,000 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. He slashed .330/.346/.452 last summer in 101 games at Round Rock in the Rangers' system, and .322/.366/.392 in 43...
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Wright on workouts, what went wrong and "fresh eyes" on him

Wright on workouts, what went wrong and "fresh eyes" on him
The Orioles started their minicamp this weekend in Sarasota, an adjusted version of it that won't be flooded with players and serves in large part to allow new hires to become more familiar with the complex. A handful of players already have been working out there, including pitcher Mike Wright Jr., catcher Chance Sisco and outfielder Austin Hays. Reliever Richard Bleier is joining them as he continues his throwing program following lat surgery in June. "A couple other guys come in and pop...
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Orioles agree to terms with Villar, Bundy and Givens

Orioles agree to terms with Villar, Bundy and Givens
None of the Orioles who are eligible for arbitration will be going to a hearing. The deals are done. The club has reached agreements with infielder Jonathan Villar, starter Dylan Bundy and reliever Mychal Givens on contracts for the 2019 season. An announcement will come later today. Terms aren't immediately available. The Orioles acquired Villar, pitcher Luis Ortiz and infielder Jean Carmona from the Brewers on July 31 for second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who was non-tendered and signed a...
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Sifting through roster moves and today's arbitration deadline

Sifting through roster moves and today's arbitration deadline
The activity that's been aimed at the Orioles' 25- and 40-man rosters in the offseason hasn't produced national headlines. There were three acquisitions in the Rule 5 draft and depth moves for the pitching staff, infield and catching position. Some of them haven't been announced and there could be others still under wraps. The decision to use the first pick in the Rule 5 draft on infielder Richie Martin has the potential to be one of the most impactful, considering that he's a candidate to...
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"Piano Man" Billy Joel to play first concert at Camden Yards

"Piano Man" Billy Joel to play first concert at Camden Yards
The Orioles didn't start the concert craze at major league ballparks, but they're jumping into the fire. If this sentence even remotely resembles the lyrics from a Billy Joel song, my work here is almost done. The club announced today the launching of O's Entertainment and in its partnership with Live Nation will host Joel this summer in the first concert at Camden Yards, which opened in 1992. The event will take place on July 26 while the Orioles are in Anaheim in the middle of their...
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The curious case of Cobb

The curious case of Cobb
A deeper dive into the Orioles roster brings up more questions regarding starter Alex Cobb and how he, like other veterans, fits into the rebuild. Whether it can hold the $43 million remaining on a contract that covers the next three seasons before he's again eligible for free agency. Manager Brandon Hyde says he doesn't believe in the word "rebuild." He believes in "competing," and that's the message being sent to his players. A message that will spread throughout the clubhouse and the...
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Constructing Orioles roster a gradual process

Constructing Orioles roster a gradual process
While the baseball world balances on the edge of its seats waiting for Manny Machado and Bryce Harper to sign their monstrous contracts, which will reduce the media's baseball chatter by about 75 percent, the Orioles are quietly researching ways to fill out their roster. Much of the heavy lifting outside of it is done. Two big front office hires have been completed in executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and assistant Sig Mejdal, the latter responsible for building up the...
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