Roch Kubatko
Roch Kubatko

Leadoff item: Brian Roberts needs to stay healthy

Leadoff item: Brian Roberts needs to stay healthy
Jorge Cantu is off the board after reportedly agreeing to a one-year deal with the Padres. I'll stop pitching him now. It's not a certainty that the Orioles will bring in another utility candidate, but they could ink somebody to a minor league deal and toss him into the mix with Brendan Harris and Robert Andino. As it currently stands, Cesar Izturis is the backup at second base if Brian Roberts is injured. He was re-signed to be the utility middle infielder. I'm fine with Izturis on...
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Roch Kubatko

Troy Patton arrested on DWI

Troy Patton arrested on DWI
Another Orioles pitcher is dealing with legal issues, though the severity doesn't match what's transpiring in the Dominican Republic with Alfredo Simon. According to this report from a Houston television station, left-hander Troy Patton was arrested Saturday night and charged with a DWI after police officers reported that the pitcher's car sped over a curb. Officers said he failed a Breathalyzer test, blowing a 0.14. The legal blood alcohol content limit in Texas is 0.08. Patton posted a...
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Roch Kubatko

Three weeks and counting until the first workout

Three weeks and counting until the first workout
So here we are, exactly three weeks from the day when pitchers and catchers hold their first workout at the spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla. The roster won't be set until the Orioles secure another starting pitcher and left-handed reliever. They could add another bat, perhaps for the bench, though Vladimir Guerrero will continue to cast a large shadow until he finds a home. You would expect more interest in a guy who hit .300 with 29 homers and 115 RBIs last season. Is he still...
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Roch Kubatko

Still pitching for Cantu, wondering about a lefty reliever

Still pitching for Cantu, wondering about a lefty reliever
We can't let the morning escape without another Vladimir Guerrero update. This one barely qualifies, but SI.com's Jon Heyman tweeted that the Orioles and Guerrero haven't talked in two weeks. Again, the Orioles could end up with Guerrero simply because he's lounging in the bargain bin and the discount is too good to ignore, but nothing appears to be imminent. Perhaps that one phone call that changes everything is made this week, but it won't mean that the Orioles were "close" a few...
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Roch Kubatko

Did things change? (updated twice)

Did things change? (updated twice)
I went to bed a little less confident that the Orioles were passing on Vladimir Guerrero as the day's events unfolded. Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez signed with the Rays as part of a unique Scott Boras package deal, and the Blue Jays traded Vernon Wells to the Angels for Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera. The Rays and Blue Jays became the latest teams to eliminate Guerrero. At first glance, the Angels would still appear to have room for the veteran designated hitter, since Wells is an outfielder,...
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Roch Kubatko

Don't book any plans with Vladimir Guerrero

Don't book any plans with Vladimir Guerrero
So I'm back in the Carroll County Public Library this morning, not far from the Military History section. I also see a Graphic Novels section. I just wonder how graphic we're talking here. My laptop worked for a few hours last night. Like brand new, actually. But sure enough, it's back to its old tricks today. It's playing dead. I shot down the Vladimir Guerrero rumor last night, which might put my entry in the Military History section. However, I expect to field more questions about...
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Roch Kubatko

Quick Vlady update

Quick Vlady update
Before my time runs out on this library computer - 19 minutes and counting - I wanted to address the report that the Orioles have the inside track on signing free-agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. I just checked with a team official to see whether something had changed since I was told recently that the Orioles didn't expect to add a designated hitter, and certainly not Guerrero unless his price came tumbling down. I received a text back saying "nope." At this point, it doesn't sound...
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Roch Kubatko

Reminder about spring training tickets

Reminder about spring training tickets
I'm having serious laptop issues. And by "serious," I mean that it stopped working. It does make a neat grinding sound once in a while, but that's about it. So do I, but it depends on the meal. I'm currently using a computer at the Carroll County Public Library. Just seemed easier than blogging on my Blackberry. And yes, it took a busted laptop to get me inside a library. Ewwww, what are all these books doing here? Anyway, I'm getting assistance from the Web studio in moving...
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Ticket increase and FanFest reminder

Ticket increase and FanFest reminder
Yes, it's true that the Orioles are raising non-prime single-game ticket prices at Camden Yards for the second time since 2003. You can go to www.orioles.com and get the breakdown of the prices. Though math isn't my strong suit, the average increase for 2011 works out to $3 a ticket. The left field upper-reserve seats still can be purchased for $9, and the cost for season-tickets remains the same. Otherwise, you'll have to dig a little deeper. The average price for non-prime,...
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How will the 2011 bullpen stack up?

How will the 2011 bullpen stack up?
Going back to last night's entry, the 1970 Orioles were voted the fourth-best team on the "MLB Network Countdown." The 1998 Yankees, 1975 Reds and 1961 Yankees made the top three. Perhaps it's the fan in me, but I still regard the 1969-1971 stretch as a dynasty despite only one championship. We can include 1966 and make it two. Since we've spent so many days talking about the bullpen and how it shapes up as the strength of the 2011 team, and since we're also going back in time, it seems...
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Roch Kubatko

Where does the 1970 team rank?

Where does the 1970 team rank?
The "MLB Network Countdown" will rank the top 40 greatest teams in baseball history at 9 p.m. It probably comes as no surprise that the 1970 Orioles made the final cut. The 1984 Detroit Tigers, 1998 New York Yankees and 1995 Atlanta Braves also will be featured. Teams are ranked from 1961 to the present, and the 1970 Orioles made the Top 10. Meanwhile, the NFL Network is currently showing a replay of last weekend's Ravens-Steelers game. I think I'll pass, so to speak. By the way,...
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Kevin Millwood: "I don't think the door is closed"

Kevin Millwood: "I don't think the door is closed"
I just got off the phone with Kevin Millwood, who doesn't sense that he's close to signing with another team. Millwood has been linked to the Royals, Indians and Yankees at various times, and he indicated that all three teams remain in play. He's confident that he'll secure a major league deal rather than having to settle for a minor league contract with a spring training invite. So what about the Orioles? Millwood said his agent, Scott Boras, mentioned the Orioles among the teams that...
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Roch Kubatko

Orioles still searching for a starter

Orioles still searching for a starter
I'll start with some alumni news: Former Orioles outfielder Lou Montanez signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs, according to this tweet from Baseball America's Matt Eddy. The Cubs made Montanez the third overall pick in the 2000 draft. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez was taken first by the Florida Marlins. The Minnesota Twins used the second pick on right-hander Adam Johnson. You must remember that the Orioles used the 14th pick on University of Texas pitcher Beau Hale. See how...
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O's exchange salary arbitration numbers with Guthrie, Scott

O's exchange salary arbitration numbers with Guthrie, Scott
The Orioles announced that they exchanged salary figures with their two remaining arbitration-eligible players today: pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and designated hitter/outfielder Luke Scott. According to an industry source, Guthrie is seeking $6.5 million and the Orioles countered at $5 million. He earned $3 million last season. Scott is seeking $6.85 million and the Orioles countered at $5.7 million. He earned $4.05 million last season. Hearings will be scheduled, most likely next month, if...
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Is Armando Galarraga worth considering? (updated)

Is Armando Galarraga worth considering? (updated)
While examining possible trade options for a starting pitcher, it's been noted that Detroit's Armando Galarraga could be made available. Well, he's really available now because the Tigers designated him for assignment earlier today. Galarraga agreed to a one-year, $2.3 million deal a day earlier, but he wasn't really off the board. The Tigers needed to make room for Brad Penny, and Galarraga apparently is the odd man out. Galarraga came within a blown call by first base umpire Jim Joyce...
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Roch Kubatko

Noteworthy day (updated twice)

Noteworthy day (updated twice)
Today is the date that players and teams exchange arbitration figures, a process that makes my eyes glaze over. These players aren't going anywhere. They can't become free agents. They just need to have their contracts finalized. Here's the drill: The players' agents will submit a figure, the Orioles will make a counter offer and they'll end up settling near the middle. I would care a lot more if half of it was being deposited in my checking account. Otherwise, they can make $500,000...
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The bottom of the order

The bottom of the order
While discussing Derrek Lee's placement in the lineup and which players might fit into other slots, manager Buck Showalter mentioned how you can get a pretty good read on a team by looking at its 7-8-9 hitters. Signing Lee and trading for Mark Reynolds and J.J. Hardy has left the Orioles with a potentially deeper lineup than past seasons. Showalter seems inclined, at least a month before spring training, to bat Nick Markakis second and Lee third. He wants to keep Adam Jones lower in the...
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Roch Kubatko

The Showalter influence

The Showalter influence
I'm sure plenty of you are still recovering from the Ravens' loss yesterday. One friend of mine is inconsolable. She sent me a profanity-filled text message late in the fourth quarter because she couldn't curse at home in front of her kids. That's what I'm here for. I guess the countdown to spring training intensifies. There's one less distraction. Not long after the Orioles confirmed that they'd hired Buck Showalter as their third manager of 2010, I was asked whether free agents...
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The 'pen is mightier

The 'pen is mightier
I feel as though I've written this before and it doesn't pan out, but the Orioles' bullpen, at least on paper, appears to be the real strength of this club. We don't know which left-hander will be signed, but the backend of the 'pen is daunting. Kevin Gregg's experience closing in the American League East is a huge benefit, and Koji Uehara is more than capable, as he proved over the second half of last season. Jim Johnson says that his elbow is a non-issue. If it stays that way and...
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A complete lineup of FanFest autograph stations

A complete lineup of FanFest autograph stations
As you've heard, the Orioles have introduced a new autograph policy for their annual FanFest on Jan. 29 at the Baltimore Convention Center, which is designed to support youth charitable endeavors through OriolesREACH and shorten wait times. Children ages 4-14 will have a specially designated Kids Only player autograph station that is free of charge and will operate continuously throughout the day. All other stations will require the advance purchase of autograph vouchers exclusively at...
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