If the Orioles are going to bolster their rotation, which is a primary goal of executive vice president Dan Duquette, they'll probably need to re-sign Scott Feldman or pull off a trade. Their free-agent options are severely limited. They won't spend big and they're not enthused by the market.
The Cubs seem determined to deal pitcher Jeff Samardzija - a report on CSNChicago.com listed the chances at 99 percent - which automatically links him to the Orioles. There's no way around...
Is everyone eating turkey omelets and turkey hash this morning?
The Orioles made it through Thanksgiving without being attached to a new trade rumor. For that, I am thankful.
Monday is the deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players, and executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated last week that all nine Orioles will receive offers - outfielders Nolan Reimold and Steve Pearce, left-handers Troy Patton and Brian Matusz, first baseman Chris Davis, catcher Matt Wieters,...
It wouldn't be the holidays without a movie classic and its endless sequels.
On this day, I'm thankful for my family and friends, my loyal readers, a paycheck every two weeks, GNC, Biceps Day, YouTube, the RedZone Channel, "Modern Family" reruns, "Anchorman 2," expired restraining orders, dirty martinis, front-close bras, Liberatore's wine-tasting dinners and "Because You Asked."
With three NFL games today, I may as well get in the spirit and tackle the same questions that keep...
I really want to pass along news that the Orioles are on the verge of a big signing or trade, just to give you a lift before Thanksgiving, but I don't have any indication that it's true.
Would you settle for a little white lie?
Bad idea.
The Orioles are still courting outfielder Carlos Beltran, according to this report in Primera Hora, a newspaper in Puerto Rico (translation needed). The Reds reportedly have joined the fray, but the Yankees remain the frontrunner.
Meanwhile, the...
The latest ballot for baseball's Hall of Fame has been released, and it includes first-timers Mike Mussina, Armando Benitez and Mike Timlin.
Other former Orioles include Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, Curt Schilling and Lee Smith. Tim Raines appeared in four games with the Orioles in 2001, allowing him to play in the same outfield as son Tim Raines Jr.
Eligible voters may choose up to 10 players, and 75 percent of the votes is the threshold necessary for induction in Cooperstown, N.Y. No...
During my second conversation yesterday with Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, I mentioned how fans are growing impatient with the lack of a big move. How they get the impression that nothing is happening in the warehouse beyond a few small signings and trades. How the offseason is moving along without the club.
Duquette chuckled and said, "There's always things going on around the Orioles."
We just aren't privy to every conversation. Trust me, I've tried to tap the phones...
Executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated today that the Orioles will tender a contract to outfielder Nolan Reimold.
Reimold, 30, is rehabbing from a second surgery to fuse two vertebrae in his neck. He expressed optimism in his recovery during an interview last month with MASNsports.com, and Duquette seems convinced after checking with the Orioles' medical personnel.
"He's coming along pretty well. He's ahead of where he was," Duquette said.
"We'll see how it goes, but right...
We have another roster move. Try to keep up.
The Orioles announced that they claimed switch-hitting infielder Cord Phelps off waivers from the Indians.
Phelps, 26, appeared in 53 games for the Indians over the last three seasons, batting .159/.221/.248 (18-for-113) with two homers and 11 RBIs. He played second base, third base and shortstop.
Phelps batted .267/.333/.443 (68-for-255) with nine homers and 46 RBIs in 65 games for Triple-A Columbus this year and went 0-for-9 in four games for...
The Orioles made another move today to bolster their bullpen, acquiring right-hander Brad Brach from the Padres in exchange for minor league pitcher Devin Jones.
Brach, 27, posted a 3.19 ERA with 19 walks and 31 strikeouts in 31 innings over 33 games for the Padres this season. In three major league seasons, Brach has gone 3-6 with a 3.70 ERA in 109 relief appearances, averaging 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
In six minor league seasons, Brach registered a 2.34 ERA and recorded 118 saves...
Bill Castro most likely will be out of baseball next season after spending 37 years with the Brewers as a player, scout and coach, and the last two with the Orioles as bullpen coach.
Here's hoping that the man has hobbies.
Castro replaced Rick Adair as pitching coach on Aug. 15. The Orioles offered him a scouting position, which he turned down, and he didn't bother to seek a major league job.
Castro says he found out too late that the Orioles weren't going to retain him as bullpen coach...
New Yankees catcher Brian McCann is a career .417/.475/.528 hitter in 10 games against the Orioles. He's 5-for-9 with two RBIs and two walks at Camden Yards.
Be sure to give him a warm welcome next season.
McCann batted only .231 with three home runs against left-handers last season, but he's 2-for-3 with a double and home run against Brian Matusz. Small sample size.
McCann also is 2-for-3 with a home run and two walks against right-hander Bud Norris, in case you were wondering.
McCann...
While wondering why the Terps tried to freeze a kicker named Freese ...
So much for manager Buck Showalter's "prediction" that catcher Matt Wieters would be wearing pinstripes in two years.
If so, he's going to find someone else behind the plate.
According to multiple reports, the Yankees have reached agreement with free-agent catcher Brian McCann on a five-year, $85 million deal that includes a sixth-year $15 million vesting option.
The $17 million per season average is the highest...
Not that anyone asked for my opinion, but any trade proposal involving Orioles catcher Matt Wieters must bring back a frontline starting pitcher. It just does. Says so right here.
An established left fielder would be nice. Someone who can get on base. Someone who can steal a base. Someone who can clear the bases on occasion, though the Orioles didn't lack for power this year.
That hole at second base needs to be filled.
A left-handed designated hitter is on executive vice president Dan...
Nothing from the Orioles so far today. No major league or minor league signings. No new hires in the farm system.
Don't despair. I've made plans on Saturday to meet up with my parents and great niece at my sister's house.
The last time I paid them a visit, the Orioles traded Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop to the Cubs for Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger. I found out approximately 25 seconds after walking through the door.
So, you know, it's probably going to happen again. Not the same...
Because I care so much about your early morning nutrition, I'm heating up more leftovers for breakfast. Use your napkin or sleeve. We're not fussy here.
Executive vice president Dan Duquette explained yesterday why the Orioles chose to purchase the contracts of pitchers Tim Berry and Eddie Gamboa, and catcher Michael Ohlman, and protect them in next month's Rule 5 draft.
"Tim Berry's got a chance to be a left-handed starter in the big leagues and he had a terrific year," Duquette said....
Add another Schoop to the Orioles organization.
The Orioles announced this afternoon that they signed Jonathan's older brother, infielder Sharlon Schoop, and outfielder Ronald Bermudez to minor league contracts.
Sharlon Schoop, 26, signed with the Royals as a minor league free agent on Nov. 25, 2011. He didn't play this year.
Schoop is a career .256/.322/.353 hitter in eight minor league seasons, never rising above Double-A. The Giants signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 2004 and he...
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today that the club won't attempt to re-sign free-agent pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada after declining to pick up his $5 million option for 2014.
Wada, 32, never pitched for the Orioles after signing a two-year, $8.15 million contract on Dec. 14, 2011. He was injured in spring training, made one start with Triple-A Norfolk - allowing six runs in 2 2/3 innings - and underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow on May 11, 2012.
Wada...
Though left-hander Zach Britton is determined to win a spot in the Orioles rotation in spring training, he won't complain if he has to settle for a bullpen role. And since he's out of minor league options, the possibility increases that he could be used as a long reliever and swingman.
Britton has made only two relief appearances in 48 major league games - one each in 2012 and 2013.
"I don't mind pitching out of the bullpen," he said. "I did it in September the last two years, so if...
The Orioles have added left-hander Tim Berry, knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa and catcher Michael Ohlman to their 40-man roster, raising the total to 36.
No other players may be added to the roster before the Dec. 12 Rule 5 draft unless they're acquired from outside the organization.
Berry, 22, went 11-7 with a 3.85 ERA in 27 starts at Single-A Frederick. He walked 40 and struck out 119 in 152 innings.
Berry finished second in the Carolina League in wins, starts and innings. He also went 2-0...
Pitcher Edgmer Escalona passed his physical, and the Orioles announced this afternoon that they signed the free-agent right-hander to a one-year contract.
Escalona, 27, went 1-4 with a 5.67 ERA with the Rockies this season, posting career highs in appearances (37), innings (46) and strikeouts (34). He currently ranks fourth in the Venezuelan Winter League with a 2.10 ERA in 34 1/3 innings over six starts.
In four major league seasons with the Rockies, Escalona went 1-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 78...
