Roch Kubatko

20 years ago today ...

January 10, 2011, 9:44am

Orioles

A reader was kind enough to remind me that today is the 20-year anniversary of arguably the worst trade in Orioles history (if anyone is still arguing it). I won't rush out to Greetings & Readings. The occasion doesn't call for a card. You're better off with a stiff drink and a short memory. Twenty years ago today, the Orioles traded three players to the Houston Astros for first baseman Glenn Davis. You might recognize the names: Curt Schilling, Pete Harnisch and Steve Finley. Those guys...

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Orioles

Camp battles include Pie and Reimold

January 10, 2011, 2:23am

Orioles

More snow is on the way tomorrow, so make sure you have plenty of milk, bread and toilet paper. Those are the staples. Well, you don't want staples in your toilet paper, but you should stock up anyway. I'm continuing to make my spring training arrangements, which includes booking a flight to Sarasota and returning home from Tampa after the opening three-game series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Seems like only a year ago that I did the exact same thing. It would be a lot easier...

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Who bats leadoff if it isn't Roberts?

January 09, 2011, 4:31am

Orioles

If the Orioles are going to avoid another 2-16 start, if they're going to make significant progress in 2011 and stop ripping their fans' hearts out, Brian Roberts will need to stay healthy and stay in the lineup. That said, it wouldn't hurt to have a Plan B for the leadoff spot. The Orioles are close to finishing their roster moves for the winter. A left-handed reliever and starting pitcher remain on the shopping list. As you've heard, one of the available designated hitters would have to...

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Ohman off the board

January 08, 2011, 10:13am

Orioles

Former Orioles left-hander Will Ohman has agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to this tweet, and this one, from SI.com's Jon Heyman. News broke yesterday that Ohman had narrowed his choices to three American League teams. The Orioles bowed out once it became clear that Ohman could haul in this type of deal. I don't think they're looking to invest much more in their bullpen, and they're not inclined to offer multiple years here, but they'll sign...

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Leftovers for breakfast

January 08, 2011, 3:58am

Orioles

It's snowing lightly and Carroll County schools are closed. Of course, they would have been closed anyway on a Saturday. It's the perfect storm. I found a few leftover quotes while sifting through my notebook. Here's one from president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, on the day that the Orioles signed first baseman Derrek Lee: "He's a productive middle-of-the-lineup hitter to begin with. It's very tough for him to come out of the lineup, That was obvious last year when he had a...

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Where will Derrek Lee bat?

January 07, 2011, 3:19am

Orioles

Carroll County schools are opening two hours late today. I knew it was coming once I heard the forecast calling for that extremely light dusting of snow. I guess it qualifies as snow. I've seen more of a buildup on my dining room table. I'd love to know how people in Michigan and Illinois react to this delay. Their schools open on time in three feet of snow, but not here. Nope. We have a light dusting. I hope you stored up on canned goods. Everybody ... to the basement! Anyway, I asked...

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Showalter talks about Derrek Lee

January 06, 2011, 3:30pm

Orioles

I had a nice chat with manager Buck Showalter earlier today, and Derrek Lee was the primary subject. The timing seemed right. Showalter wanted to make sure that Lee's signing was official before he commented. I assured him that the Orioles sent out the press release and arranged a conference call. We were good. "I think he brings a presence in our lineup and in our clubhouse, and a certain pedigree, so to speak, of quality play," Showalter said. "The thing that's intriguing is, the...

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What's left for the Orioles?

January 06, 2011, 11:33am

Orioles

The Orioles remain focused on a left-handed reliever and a veteran starter as we count down the final weeks before spring training. And they're not expected to sign anyone in the near future. There isn't much of a distinction among the remaining pitchers on the market, so yes, they'll let it play out and wait for the prices to fall. As for adding another bat - and the Vladimir Guerrero rumor has suddenly gained momentum - the door hasn't completely slammed shut on him, but his price...

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Derrek Lee interview - Part II

January 06, 2011, 8:57am

Orioles

Derrek Lee admitted today that the Orioles weren't on his "radar" when the off-season began, mostly because he wanted to play on the West Coast and be closer to home. His agent, Mike Milchin, kept bringing up the Orioles, and they eventually agreed to a one-year deal, which became official this morning. "I'd watch 'SportsCenter,' go on their Web site," Lee said. "I saw the guys they were signing, how they finished up, and I looked at their lineup and I saw what Buck (Showalter) did...

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Derrek Lee interview - Part I

January 06, 2011, 8:35am

Orioles

Derrek Lee is getting a second chance to be the Orioles' first baseman. The Orioles almost traded for Lee in the winter of 2003. They couldn't work out an extension, the talks with the Marlins fell apart and Lee was dealt to the Chicago Cubs for Hee-Seop Choi and Mike Nannini. How close did Lee come to being an Oriole? "Very close," he said today during a conference call with reporters. "I was sitting in the offices at Camden Yards with my family and we were literally going back and...

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Derrek Lee signing official

January 06, 2011, 6:12am

Orioles

First baseman Derrek Lee has passed his physical and signed a one-year contract, which could pay him up to $10 million, including bonuses. Lee, 35, will be made available to reporters in a conference call this afternoon. He's already returned home. Lee hit .260 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs last season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. In 170 career games against the American League, Lee has batted .311 (191-for-615) with 27 homers, 103 RBIs and a .530...

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This, that and the other

January 06, 2011, 3:20am

Orioles

I'll begin today's entry by pointing out that Jami Gertz was on "Modern Family" last night and that did not make me unhappy. I'm a big fan of her ... work. Yes, we'll go with "work." Reminder that the Orioles will announce the Derrek Lee signing today and he'll be made available to reporters in a conference call. I'll pass along his comments later. Left-hander Mark Hendrickson has a unique way of distracting himself during the off-season and not obsessing over his free agent...

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FanFest set for Jan. 29 at Convention Center

January 05, 2011, 12:11pm

Orioles

FanFest set for Jan. 29 at Convention Center

The Orioles have released details for their annual FanFest on Jan 29 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The event will be held from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., with early entry for Orioles season plan holders to begin at 10 a.m. In addition to FanFest activities, individual game tickets for the 2011 season will go on sale at 10 a.m. on the same date. Fans may purchase tickets throughout the day at the Convention Center or the Orioles' box office at the north end of the warehouse. Tickets also will be...

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Alomar on Alomar

January 05, 2011, 11:07am

Orioles

Made available in a conference call that ended a few minutes ago, former Orioles second baseman Roberto Alomar told reporters he was surprised that he received 90 percent of the votes this year after getting 73.7 percent last winter. "I didn't expect to get so many votes," he said. "I know last year was a little bit disappointing, but on the other hand, I feel happy with what happened this year and I'm real excited. It's a real exciting moment for me. "It's something that's out of...

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Ripken on Alomar's election to HOF

January 05, 2011, 9:58am

Orioles

Cal Ripken passed along the following comment regarding former teammate Roberto Alomar's election into the baseball Hall of Fame: "I was happy and excited to see that Robbie was elected to the Hall of Fame. He is one of the most talented guys I ever played with and against. He was great at the plate and in the field and made plays at second base that I never saw anyone else make. Congratulations to Roberto. I look forward to welcoming him to Cooperstown." For anyone who questions whether...

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Alomar and Blyleven headed to HOF; Raffy denied (updated)

January 05, 2011, 9:02am

Orioles

Alomar and Blyleven headed to HOF; Raffy denied (updated)

Former Orioles second baseman Roberto Alomar and pitcher Bert Blyleven will be inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 2011. Former Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, trying to be recognized through the cloud that remains from his failed drug test, didn't receive enough votes in his first year on the ballot. Alomar, a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner, totaled 523 votes, giving him a whopping 90 percent. He fell eight votes short last winter. Blyleven received 463 votes,...

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Izturis signing official

January 05, 2011, 6:13am

Orioles

It's been weeks since the Orioles confirmed that they reached a verbal agreement on a one-year contract with infielder Cesar Izturis. Well, Izturis finally took and passed his physical, so the deal is official. You can blow out your candle. Izturis will serve in a utility role in 2011, backing up shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Brian Roberts. Considering their past health issues, he might stay busy. Let's hope not. Izturis, 30, batted .230 in 150 games last season, his second...

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Kranitz on Gregg and other roster moves

January 05, 2011, 2:05am

Orioles

The results of the Hall of Fame voting will be announced at 2 p.m., and I fully expect Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven to receive the necessary 75 percent for induction. I've never seen a better defensive second baseman than Alomar, and he was the best all-around player in baseball for a period of time. Unfortunately, Robbie had that on-off switch. If he lost interest, which happened when his team lost ground in the standings, he could look quite average. Case in point: the 1998 season. But...

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Preliminary ballistic report could clear Simon (updated)

January 04, 2011, 4:41pm

Orioles

Preliminary ballistic report could clear Simon (updated)

While Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon remains in police custody tonight in Santiago, Dominican Republic, his agent says that a preliminary ballistic report shows that the bullet that killed a 25-year-old man on New Year's Eve doesn't match the reliever's gun. Phil Isaac of the Para Sports Group just passed along the news in a text message. Meanwhile, one of Simon's lawyers, Carlos Olivares, told CNN that "The ballistics tests have been favorable. We are waiting for the formal...

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Gregg's agent: "Baltimore, for Kevin, has a lot of pluses"

January 04, 2011, 10:32am

Orioles

Gregg's agent: "Baltimore, for Kevin, has a lot of pluses"

The Orioles' two-year deal with reliever Kevin Gregg includes a vesting option for 2013. Gregg's agent, Danny Horwits, said six or seven teams were involved in serious negotiations at various points during the winter. "Baltimore, for Kevin, has a lot of pluses," Horwits said. "One is all the acquisitions that they've made. Kevin is real excited about Mark Reynolds and J.J. Hardy and Derrek Lee. He wanted to be part of that. And he's familiar with the team from pitching in the...