Orioles reach agreement with Escalona (updated)

Orioles reach agreement with Escalona (updated)
The Orioles have reached agreement with Colorado Rockies reliever Edgmer Escalona and are awaiting the results of his physical before announcing the signing, which is believed to be a one-year deal. Escalona, 27, went 1-4 with a 5.67 ERA in 37 games this season, with 52 hits, 14 walks and 34 strikeouts in 46 innings. Escalona, a native of Venezuela, has spent his entire career in the Rockies organization, going 1-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 78 relief appearances over parts of four seasons. The...
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Britton: "Next year is important for me, and not just because I'm out of options"

Britton: "Next year is important for me, and not just because I'm out of options"
New Orioles pitching coach Dave Wallace has reached out to a handful of starters and relievers on the staff, talking to some over the phone and leaving messages for others. Zach Britton figures to be one of Wallace's projects in spring training, and they had a brief conversation a few weeks ago. "It was just a quick call, kind of a touching-base thing," Britton said. "He introduced himself and told me that he'd give me a call back fairly soon, kind of discuss things a little more...
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Taking another look at Jim Johnson's status

Taking another look at Jim Johnson's status
Late in the 2013 season, executive vice president Dan Duquette attempted to end the speculation over Jim Johnson's status by telling reporters that the Orioles would tender him a contract over the winter. In addition, Johnson would remain the closer despite nine blown saves and the hefty raise awaiting him. How hefty? MLBTradeRumors.com projected again today that Johnson's salary could increase from $6.5 million to $10.8 million. As a Super 2, Johnson is arbitration-eligible for a fourth...
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Orioles to play in Civil Rights Game (FanFest note)

Orioles to play in Civil Rights Game (FanFest note)
Major League Baseball announced today that the Orioles will play the Houston Astros in the 2014 Civil Rights Game on May 30 at Minute Maid Park. The Orioles will be in Houston for a four-game series. The Civil Rights Game, which will air nationally on MLB Network, started in 2007 in Memphis and pays tribute to those who fought for equal rights. After another exhibition game in Memphis in 2008, the Civil Rights Game moved to Cincinnati (2009-2010), then Atlanta (2011-2012) as regular-season...
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Orioles sign De La Cruz

Orioles sign De La Cruz
Looking to add more left-handed depth to their bullpen, the Orioles have signed reliever Kelvin De La Cruz to a one-year contract. De La Cruz, 25, was a combined 3-1 with a 2.67 ERA and seven saves in 67 1/3 innings and 50 relief appearances this year for Double-A Chattanooga (three games) and Triple-A Albuquerque (47) in the Dodgers system. He finished third in the Pacific Coast League and set a career high with 11.26 strikeouts over nine innings. De La Cruz held left-handed hitters to a...
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Checking on the pitching market

Checking on the pitching market
Tim Hudson is no longer an option to join the Orioles' rotation. But when one door closes ... Hudson reportedly has agreed to a two-year, $23 million contract with the Giants that may include a full no-trade clause. The details are unfolding. The Orioles liked Hudson and were seen as a potential match, but they never made an offer. Would you give Hudson, a 38-year-old pitcher who recently had a pin removed from his ankle, $23 million? I'd be more inclined if it weren't my money. And...
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Orioles unveil commemorative patch for 2014

Orioles unveil commemorative patch for 2014
Last month, I wrote about the Orioles' plans to commemorate their 60th anniversary in Baltimore next season by wearing a patch on their right sleeve. Well, they unveiled it this morning in a tweet. This is the fourth consecutive season that the Orioles will wear a patch on their right sleeve. They sported one in 2011 with "Baltimore" or "Orioles" in script, depending on the jersey. The 2012 patch commemorated the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards, and the 2013 patch honored Hall of Fame...
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Taking another look at second base

Taking another look at second base
What can we look forward to this week? Perhaps we can read a little something into this quote on Wednesday from executive vice president Dan Duquette, who returned my call during the last night of the GM meetings in Orlando: "We've been meeting with teams and agents and canvassing the market and seeing where we match up with teams. We've been talking to agents about signing some players to help bolster our ballclub, so we're making some pretty good progress with a couple of conversations...
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"Because You Asked - City Under Siege"

"Because You Asked - City Under Siege"
I checked my home insurance policy and I'm not covered for an avalanche of questions from Orioles fans. I'll just have to take my chances and live dangerously. The hot stove increases my risks, and not only because I could get burned if I'm out of touch with it (see what I did there?). I'm asked to confirm or shoot down various rumors. I'm asked for status updates on negotiations. I'm asked the same stuff over and over. I take so many deep breaths, I get lightheaded. For those reasons,...
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Wallace on why he wanted Chiti

Wallace on why he wanted Chiti
New Orioles pitching coach Dave Wallace had a strong voice in the hiring of bullpen coach Dom Chiti. And it worked out nicely that Wallace recommended someone who also was familiar to and highly respected by manager Buck Showalter. Wallace and Chiti came from the Braves organization, which has been known to produce good young pitchers. And Chiti, of course, was Showalter's bullpen coach with the Rangers in 2006. Asked yesterday about his choice, Wallace said, "Dom has a history with Buck,...
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Wallace: "I'm trying to find out as much as I can"

Wallace: "I'm trying to find out as much as I can"
Now that Dave Wallace is in place as Orioles pitching coach, he's started the task of reaching out to his staff. Wallace told me yesterday that he's talked to three or four of the Orioles' pitchers "just briefly to say hello," and left voicemails for about eight others. "I haven't gotten into any discussions about mechanics or abilities or anything like that," he said. "I'm in the process of talking to Rick Peterson and Mike Griffin, who have had the guys. I'm trying to find out...
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More Markakis and Urrutia note

More Markakis and Urrutia note
This morning's blog entry, largely devoted to updating Nolan Reimold's contract situation, drew a significant number of comments regarding Nick Markakis. It happens. And I'm fine with it. Apparently, Mike Francesca of WFAN Radio in New York mentioned how the Orioles and Mets discussed a trade involving Markakis during this week's GM meetings in Orlando. I didn't hear it, but I'll pass along a tweet from someone who did - Andrew Vazzano of SNY. "Mike Francesa said the Mets inquired...
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Decision pending on Reimold (with note)

Decision pending on Reimold  (with note)
Woke up this morning and realized we're fresh out of hour-long baseball awards shows. Went back to bed and pulled the covers over my head. Without checking, I'm pretty sure that I missed on only one prediction. I had Boston's John Farrell winning American League Manager of the Year, but he placed second to Cleveland's Terry Francona. As for the Orioles, I did a little research and came up with a few more things that they're "willing" to do: 1. Sell peanuts at Camden Yards 2. Mow the...
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Davis places third in AL MVP voting, Machado and Jones among top 13

Davis places third in AL MVP voting, Machado and Jones among top 13
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will have to be satisfied with his Silver Slugger Award and a hefty raise that's coming to him this winter. As expected, Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera won his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award in the American League. The announcement came tonight on MLB Network. The Angels' Mike Trout finished second in the BBWAA voting, and Davis placed third after receiving one first-place vote, four second, 11 third, 12 fourth, one fifth and one...
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Still talking about Hardy and Wieters

Still talking about Hardy and Wieters
I woke up this morning and discovered that shortstop J.J. Hardy and catcher Matt Wieters still play for the Orioles. Let's see if anything changes by noon. If yesterday's reports on the duo confirmed anything beyond my hatred of the hot stove season, it's how badly the Orioles want to upgrade their rotation. They're not actively shopping Hardy and Wieters, but they're going to approach any team with a surplus of starters. That's how the Shelby Miller rumor started yesterday morning. The...
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Duquette: "We like Hardy and Wieters as core players on our ballclub"

Duquette: "We like Hardy and Wieters as core players on our ballclub"
The GM meetings are supposed to wrap up tonight in Orlando, but Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has another face-to-face scheduled for Thursday morning before he flies home. I just got off the phone with Duquette, who said he's met with a little more than half the teams. Special assistant Lee Thomas also has met with a few clubs. Here's a sampling of Duquette's quotes: On how he'd characterize the first three days: "We've been meeting with teams and agents and canvassing...
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Orioles confirm Anderson hiring, more on Hardy and Wieters

Orioles confirm Anderson hiring, more on Hardy and Wieters
The Orioles have announced the hiring of former Rangers coach Dave Anderson as minor league infield coordinator. Anderson replaces Matt Martin, who held the job for one season and is no longer in the organization. I wrote about Anderson this morning. Quick recap: Anderson played on the Dodgers team that won the 1988 World Series over the Athletics. He's managed in the minors, and he served as Rangers third base coach for four seasons and first base coach in 2013. The Rangers fired him Oct....
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Notes on D. Stockstill and Boulanger

Notes on D. Stockstill and Boulanger
Earlier today, I mentioned how David Stockstill signed the Orioles' first player from Guatemala, outfielder Manny Hernandez, back in 2009. Stockstill's contract ran out Oct. 31, and I've received confirmation that the Orioles chose not to renew it. Executive vice president Dan Duquette informed Stockstill of his decision. Stockstill previously served as the club's director of player development before switching roles with his brother, John, and becoming director of international...
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Correcting the Guatemalan math, and a Hardy note

Correcting the Guatemalan math, and a Hardy note
News leaked yesterday that the Orioles signed 18-year-old outfielder Juan Diego Montes from Guatemala. Various photos of the kid in an Orioles jersey circulated through Twitter. That part was accurate. The mistake came in the math. Forget what you've read about Montes being the second player from Guatemala signed by the Orioles. A reader of this blog pointed out correctly that Montes is the third. Apparently, outfielder Manny Hernandez has become the forgotten man. Former Orioles farm...
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Showalter receives third-place vote for AL Manager of the Year

Showalter receives third-place vote for AL Manager of the Year
In a bit of an upset, Cleveland's Terry Francona beat out Boston's John Farrell for American League Manager of the Year. The announcement came tonight on MLB Network. Keep in mind that BBWAA ballots were submitted before the playoffs. The Red Sox's World Series title wasn't a factor. Orioles manager Buck Showalter, a runner-up to Oakland's Bob Melvin last year, received one third-place vote. He finished tied for seventh with Texas' Ron Washington and Kansas City's Ned Yost. Asuka...
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