Peguero signing official

Peguero signing official
Outfielder Francisco Peguero passed his physical and has signed a one-year contract with the Orioles, who made the announcement this morning. The deal is worth $555,000. Peguero, 25, batted .316/.354/.408 in 70 games with Triple-A Fresno. He also appeared in 18 games with the Giants, going 6-for-29 with his first major league home run. His at-bats during 2013 were limited because of a concussion sustained in June that shelved him for a month. The Giants non-tendered Peguero and attempted to...
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Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The Orioles talked to the Tigers about acquiring pitcher Doug Fister, but executive vice president Dan Duquette said there wasn't a match. The Tigers preferred the players being offered by the Nationals: infielder Steve Lombardozzi and left-handers Ian Krol and Robbie Ray. The Orioles had early interest in Mike Napoli, but it didn't last long. Just a little bit of tire kicking and that was it. Napoli agreed to terms with the Red Sox last night on a two-year, $32 million contract. The...
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More on Feldman and McLouth, and a note on season ticket invoices

More on Feldman and McLouth, and a note on season ticket invoices
It's been interesting to track the reaction of fans after news broke today that Scott Feldman signed with the Astros and Nate McLouth agreed to terms with the Nationals. Two players that the Orioles wanted to bring back, but only under their conditions. They didn't want to give Feldman three guaranteed years. They wanted to avoid giving McLouth two years at $10-$11 million. Executive vice president Dan Duquette spoke to both agents and knew those players no longer were a fit based on what...
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Notes on Wolf and J. Johnson (and McLouth)

Notes on Wolf and J. Johnson (and McLouth)
I've been asked about possible interest in left-hander Randy Wolf. The Orioles weren't among the teams that watched him work out last week. Doesn't sound like there's any interest. FOX Sports reported that Wolf auditioned for eight teams as he attempts a comeback from ligament-reconstructive surgery in September 2012. He didn't pitch this year. Wolf, 36, went 2-0 with a 5.28 ERA in five games (two starts) with the Orioles after signing as a free agent on Aug. 31, 2012. Earlier this...
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Orioles reach agreement with Webb on two-year deal (Feldman note)

Orioles reach agreement with Webb on two-year deal (Feldman note)
The Orioles made another move to bolster their bullpen, agreeing to terms with former Marlins right-hander Ryan Webb on a two-year, $4.5 million deal, according to an industry source. He will take his physical next week in Baltimore. Webb, who turns 28 in February, was non-tendered by the Marlins after going 2-6 with a 2.91 ERA in 66 games. He allowed 70 hits, walked 27 and struck out 54 in 80 1/3 innings. Webb, a fourth-round pick of the Athletics in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, made...
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Weeks: "This is probably the best thing for me at this point"

Weeks: "This is probably the best thing for me at this point"
Jemile Weeks is trying to learn as much as he can about Baltimore before joining his new teammates at FanFest and in spring training. But he's going to need more time. "All I've gotten so far is Charm City and the Birdland thing that's going on," he said last night during our phone conversation. "I've still got to go out and explore the city." The trade that unfolded Monday night is still fresh, and Weeks joked that he was doing his best to answer my questions and be as helpful as...
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Axford rising on Orioles' wish list

Axford rising on Orioles' wish list
The Orioles are likely to find their next closer on the free agent market. Executive vice president Dan Duquette has referred to the number of experienced late-inning specialists "on the board." One of those names dropped off it this morning. The Red Sox reportedly have agreed to terms with Edward Mujica on a two-year, $9.5 million contract, with the idea of having him serve as Koji Uehara's set-up man for the 2014 season. Not a bad price, especially if he closes in 2015. The Orioles...
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Because I asked Duquette

Because I asked Duquette
It's possible that the Orioles will announce today that they've signed former Giants outfielder Francisco Peguero. And it's likely that the news will be met with more sarcasm. Pace yourselves. Is executive vice president Dan Duquette aware of, or concerned about, negative fan reaction to the Jim Johnson trade? "I think that's natural when you have changes to your club or to your roster," he said. "I think the important thing for our players and our fans to know is that we're going to...
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Orioles nearing deal with Peguero (Pridie note)

Orioles nearing deal with Peguero (Pridie note)
Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today that the Orioles are on the verge of signing outfielder Francisco Peguero, who was non-tendered by the Giants on Monday. Peguero would have to pass a physical before the deal becomes official. "We're working on it, but nothing is in place," Duquette said. "It's not a done deal. We're still in the process." Peguero, 25, went 6-for-29 with the Giants this year, posting a .207/.233/.345 line with a double, home run, four runs scored...
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More random thoughts and ramblings

More random thoughts and ramblings
The Orioles played their final game on Sept. 29. Are they any better today? No. About the same? No. It's still early, right? We're not supposed to be fooled by the flurry of trades and signings. We haven't reached the Winter Meetings yet. This date qualifies as "early" for the offseason. But the Orioles have backpedaled by removing Jim Johnson, Nate McLouth, Brian Roberts, Scott Feldman and Jason Hammel from the roster. Oh yeah, and Manny Machado had knee surgery. So, how's your day...
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More from Duquette and another rumor

More from Duquette and another rumor
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette phoned into "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" earlier today on MASN. Not surprisingly, last night's trade was the first topic of discussion. What motivated the Orioles to send closer Jim Johnson to the Athletics for infielder Jemile Weeks and a PTBNL? "Jimmy did a nice job and that was a difficult choice for us, but we were looking to create some flexibility for the team to go out and staff some of the other areas. And we think we'll be able...
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Jim Johnson on trade: "It just hit me like five minutes ago"

Jim Johnson on trade: "It just hit me like five minutes ago"
Jim Johnson is known as a stoic figure on the mound and inside the clubhouse. Nothing seems to faze him. Not the pressure situations in the ninth inning or the blown saves or the fan criticism. It wasn't until Johnson began to talk about his tenure with the Orioles, which ended with last night's trade to the Oakland Athletics, that the emotions bubbled to the surface. Johnson choked up several times during a phone conversation while reflecting on the past two years and the role he played in...
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A few more thoughts on Johnson trade

A few more thoughts on Johnson trade
Jim Johnson flew into San Diego late last night with the intention of working out with Orioles executive Brady Anderson. He had no idea that he would be traded to a West Coast team. Talk about a strange coincidence. Johnson was dealt to the Oakland Athletics for infielder Jemile Weeks and a PTBNL, the announcement coming at the midnight deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players. It had to be a shock to his system. Johnson said he was still digesting the news. I...
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Duquette on trade

Duquette on trade
To recap a busy day and night, the Orioles tendered contracts to six of their arbitration-eligible players: catcher Matt Wieters, first baseman Chris Davis, and pitchers Tommy Hunter, Bud Norris, Brian Matusz and Troy Patton. They reached agreements on one-year deals with outfielders Nolan Reimold ($1.025 million) and Steve Pearce ($850,000). They traded closer Jim Johnson to the Athletics for infielder Jemile Weeks and a PTBNL. And they non-tendered outfielder Jason Pridie and knuckleballer...
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Orioles trade Jim Johnson to A's

Orioles trade Jim Johnson to A's
As the midnight deadline approaches for teams to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players, the Orioles have narrowed the list by trading closer Jim Johnson to the Athletics for infielder Jemile Weeks. The Orioles also will receive a player to be named later from the A's minor league system. Weeks, 26, went 1-for-9 with five strikeouts in eight games with the A's this season. The switch-hitter was taken with the 12th overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. Weeks is...
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Reimold agrees to terms, and so does Pearce

Reimold agrees to terms, and so does Pearce
So far, the Orioles haven't pulled off any trades or surprises as the deadline approachs to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. In fact, the Orioles haven't made any announcements, but they've reached agreement with outfielder Nolan Reimold on a one-year, $1.025 million contract, according to an industry source. I've heard that Reimold's deal includes incentives based on plate appearances or at-bats that could add another $175,000. Reimold, who made $1 million this...
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Will Jim Johnson remain an Oriole?

Will Jim Johnson remain an Oriole?
Ever since executive vice president Dan Duquette told reporters during the final homestand that the Orioles would tender a contract to Jim Johnson, there's been rampant speculation about the right-hander's role and whether he'd be part of the March 31 opening day ceremonies at Camden Yards. Johnson is projected to make at least $10 million next season, which is a steep price for a closer. The Orioles gave no indication that they would move him into the rotation. In fact, Duquette stated...
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Random thoughts

Random thoughts
Today is the deadline for teams to offer contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. Executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated recently that the Orioles will tender all nine of their players - pitchers Jim Johnson, Troy Patton, Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter and Bud Norris, outfielders Nolan Reimold and Steve Pearce, first baseman Chris Davis and catcher Matt Wieters. Of that group, only Reimold, Pearce and Patton were viewed as possible non-tenders. Davis made $3.3 million this year....
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More on Monell

More on Monell
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said newly acquired catcher Johnny Monell will compete for the backup job in 2014. The Orioles obtained Monell from the Giants tonight for cash considerations and placed him on the 40-man roster. Monell, 27, batted .275/.364/.494 with 27 doubles, two triples, 20 homers and 64 RBIs in 121 games with Triple-A Fresno this season. He's a career .267/.351/.456 hitter in seven minor league seasons in the Giants organization. Monell made his major...
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Who's backing up Wieters?

Who's backing up Wieters?
Before rolling out of my house late yesterday afternoon, I looked up stats for a Sunday morning blog entry on backup catching candidates for the Orioles. I also was prepared to issue a warning against any snarky "slow news day" remarks. You know the rest. The Orioles acquired catcher Johnny Monell from the Giants for cash considerations and tossed him into the mix. Coincidence? Or did I make it happen? If it's the latter, I'll try to get you a frontline starting pitcher and a...
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