Steve Melewski
Steve Melewski

Is the new year bringing new thinking about rebuilding?

Is the new year bringing new thinking about rebuilding?
Right now, the Orioles have that feel of a team between a rock and hard place. Trying to catch the Yankees and Red Sox looks like a daunting task. They have four key players entering the last years of their contracts. They are coming off their first last-place finish since 2011. There are other facts that are daunting. The 2017 Orioles finished the year going 7-22. The Orioles have had losing records in six of their last nine full months of baseball. But the Orioles also have some huge...
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Steve Melewski

Another look at an impressive power display on the farm in '17

Another look at an impressive power display on the farm in '17
Four players hit 32 or more home runs this year in Minor League Baseball. Three of the four played in the homer-happy Pacific Coast League. The only player that didn't was the Orioles' Austin Hays, who hit 32 between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. Houston's A.J. Reed hit 34 to lead all of the minors playing in the PCL. Former Oriole Christian Walker hit 32 for Arizona's PCL entry and Oakland's Renato Núñez hit 32 in the same league. Hays had a monster season on the O's farm,...
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Steve Melewski

Will slow-moving free agent market impact the Orioles?

Will slow-moving free agent market impact the Orioles?
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, this time last year, 15 of its top 20 free agents had signed. This year that number is five of 20. Why have the signings been slow to develop? When the situations with Shohei Ohtani and Giancarlo Stanton got resolved, some felt there would be a flurry of signings to follow. It didn't happen. Some thought the Winter Meetings would be active with signings. Nope. We are closing in on six weeks to spring training and the movement has been slower than Matt Wieters...
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Steve Melewski

Could this O's reliever be converted to a starter?

Could this O's reliever be converted to a starter?
It was interesting to read a report from MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko a few days ago about the Orioles approaching Zach Britton earlier this year to gauge his interest in returning to a starter's role. It seems Britton was just fine with staying as a closer and all of this happened before his recent Achilles surgery, which will delay his start to the 2018 season. While the Orioles seem very unlikely to move a reliever into a starter's role for 2018, I have often thought the reliever best...
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Steve Melewski

In search for pitching, Manny Machado could be big price to pay

In search for pitching, Manny Machado could be big price to pay
Well, I return from a few days off to find that the Orioles have not yet added any key starting pitchers and/or subtracted Manny Machado. One of the best talents in team history is still an Oriole, but will it stay that way? There are two main reasons that I feel Machado should be traded. First, paying him $300 million or more is probably not a good move for a team with a decent payroll, but not one of the largest in baseball. Second, the Orioles may not be able to win right now, even with...
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Steve Melewski

If Machado is dealt, should O's then continue dealing?

If Machado is dealt, should O's then continue dealing?
If the Orioles do pull off a trade involving Manny Machado, should they then continue the trades? Should a partial or a complete rebuilding of the team commence? O's management seems against that, and with both Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter in the last years of their contract, it could get awkward to ask them to start building a team for a future they don't know they will be a part of. But the Orioles look like a real long shot to have much of a chance in the American League East this year...
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Steve Melewski

Second offseason edition: "10 questions for O's fans"

Second offseason edition: "10 questions for O's fans"
I could be wrong, but I believe we have only had one offseason edition of "10 questions for O's fans." So it is time for another. Free free to answer all 10 questions or just one or two. Provide brief answers or go in depth with your response. You make the call and you provide the comments and answers. 1) If the Orioles trade Manny Machado, which team will he go to? 2) What return should the club seek for Machado? 3) Are most fans for or against a trade of Machado? Would the fans understand...
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Steve Melewski

Jim Callis on what makes a player a good prospect

Jim Callis on what makes a player a good prospect
When it comes to ranking prospects, few have done it longer or done it better than Jim Callis. For many years he was the key guy for prospects at Baseball America. Now he works for MLB.com and MLBPipeline.com. During the Winter Meetings, I asked Callis a simple question, but one that doesn't lend itself to a simple answer: What makes a good prospect and what goes into ranking prospects? By that, I meant what does he look for and how does he weigh certain attributes of a player? How important...
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Steve Melewski

A scout's tale: Meet Kirk Fredriksson

A scout's tale: Meet Kirk Fredriksson
Today, we begin a new series in this space. We'll introduce you to some Orioles scouts over the rest of the offseason. Some fans may not even know their names. Hopefully, after reading some upcoming posts, you'll know a lot more than that. So let's begin ... For many years, Kirk Fredriksson was a general manager for a couple of summer college league teams in the New England Collegiate Baseball League. For part of that time, current O's executive vice president Dan Duquette owned the...
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Steve Melewski

What is the next move in the Machado trade talks?

What is the next move in the Machado trade talks?
To this point, the offseason has featured constant debate and discussion about what the Orioles will do to rebuild their starting rotation. That topic drifted to the backburner at the Winter Meetings. All it took were rumors and speculation about trade possibilities for Manny Machado. We later found out some of the rumors are indeed based in fact. The prediction here is that the Orioles trade Machado. The reports that indicated the Chicaco White Sox would part with either Lucas Giolito or...
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Steve Melewski

Orioles' Dan Duquette on the club's three Rule 5 picks

Orioles' Dan Duquette on the club's three Rule 5 picks
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles have taken two players before in the Rule 5 draft. They topped that today, adding three selections in the major league phase. They chose three pitchers. They selected lefty Nester Cortes from the Yankees organization. In 30 games (13 starts) this season, he went 7-4 with a 2.06 ERA. He pitched at three levels in 2017, but mostly at Double-A and Triple-A. He's 25-14 with a 2.08 ERA in 84 career minor league games, including 40 starts, with 344 strikeouts in...
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Steve Melewski

Machado talks heat up overnight and Rule 5 draft is today

Machado talks heat up overnight and Rule 5 draft is today
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - While you were sleeping, the White Sox emerged as the most aggressive team pursuing the Orioles' Manny Machado, according to reports from The Athletic and USA Today. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal wrote that the White Sox are offering the Orioles a package that includes right-hander Lucas Giolito or right-hander Michael Kopech, but not both pitchers. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the Orioles believe they can move Machado by the end of the week with the strength...
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Steve Melewski

O's would trade Machado in division and will not put timetable on talks

O's would trade Machado in division and will not put timetable on talks
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Orioles don't seem inclined to put a timetable or deadline right now on any trade discussions involving third baseman Manny Machado. They continue to talk with several teams about the three-time All-Star. If these trade talks drag on for an extended period of time, you have to wonder how much that will impact the club's planning for the 2018 season. But as of now, executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette is not inclined to put a timetable on...
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Steve Melewski

A quick look at the Rule 5 draft with Baseball America's J.J. Cooper

A quick look at the Rule 5 draft with Baseball America's J.J. Cooper
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Rule 5 draft is the final event of the Winter Meetings and it happens at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. The Orioles have made at least one Rule 5 selection every year since 2006. Even though they are likely to carry outfielder Anthony Santander on their roster to start the 2018 season, no one would be surprised by the Orioles selecting another player tomorrow. Santander still has to spend 44 days on the active major league roster to fulfill his Rule 5 obligation before he...
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Steve Melewski

Some thoughts from Jim Callis of MLBPipeline.com

Some thoughts from Jim Callis of MLBPipeline.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Jim Callis of MLBPipeline.com has reported on many trades over the years as part of his excellent analysis of prospects. He is someone fans turn to in order to find out the level of prospects their team just got when a club deals a star player for young talent. A deal much like the Orioles potentially could be discussing for Manny Machado. When Callis was on "MASN All Access" yesterday, I tapped into his experience with these deals to ask what return the Orioles could...
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Steve Melewski

Showalter on the AL East big boys: "They can be beaten"

Showalter on the AL East big boys: "They can be beaten"
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - To no one's surprise, Orioles manager Buck Showalter is conceding nothing in the American League East - even after the rival New York Yankees added Giancarlo Stanton. When Showalter was our guest on "MASN All Access" yesterday, we discussed the fact that some fans are saying they are discouraged right now. They know the Orioles are coming off a last-place finish, still have to fill out a rotation and then have to beat out Boston and New York to win the division. Oh,...
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Steve Melewski

Orioles' young outfielders drawing interest in trade talks (with Duquette video)

Orioles' young outfielders drawing interest in trade talks (with Duquette video)
LAKE BUENVA VISTA, Fla. - Well, not every topic concerning the Orioles involves Manny Machado, it turns out. The club, by the way, is still looking for several starting pitchers. And the quest for pitching might end with one or more hurlers coming to Baltimore via the trade route. In a one-on-one interview this afternoon with MASNsports.com, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said some of the club's young outfielders are drawing interest in trade talks. "I was heartened today....
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Steve Melewski

MLB Network's Harold Reynolds on the Orioles

MLB Network's Harold Reynolds on the Orioles
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Harold Reynolds is a former Oriole and current analyst for MLB Network. He was part of the network's original on-air talent roster at its launch in 2009 and has been on the network since. Reynolds played 12 seasons in the majors and was an Oriole in 1993, the year the club hosted the All-Star Game. He was a guest this morning on "MASN All Access" and talked about the Orioles. The main topic of conversation was, of course, Manny Machado. Here are some of Reynolds'...
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Steve Melewski

Showalter talks Machado, Davis and more

Showalter talks Machado, Davis and more
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The topic of a potential Orioles trade of Manny Machado has not slowed a bit at the Winter Meetings. Clearly, the club is open to moving a star player one year before his contract is due to end. At the same time, if Machado is still an Oriole on opening day, will he be playing third base or shortstop? He might be moving over on the diamond. It is clear the Orioles are discussing that topic internally as well. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was a guest earlier today on...
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Steve Melewski

More Manny Machado talk and some O's minors chatter

More Manny Machado talk and some O's minors chatter
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Are the Orioles rebuilding or reloading? Are they doing something in the middle? Are they still deciding which direction they are heading? After Day One of the Winter Meetings, it does seem that the Orioles are open to listening to trade offers for pending free agent third baseman Manny Machado. That certainly doesn't signal the team is ready for any selloff or complete rebuild, but it possibly could be a bit of a change in thinking from the club's top...
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