Roch Kubatko

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...

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Reliever Gregg, Orioles agree on two-year deal (updated)

January 04, 2011, 9:37am

Orioles

A team source has confirmed that the Orioles have reached an agreement today with free agent reliever Kevin Gregg on a two-year contract. The deal will become official once Gregg passes his physical. Various reports have placed the value of the deal from $8-$10 million. Manager Buck Showalter must choose between Gregg and Koji Uehara to be the team's closer in 2011. Gregg wanted to sign with a team that would give him that opportunity and he'll go into the camp as the early...

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This and that

January 04, 2011, 3:27am

Orioles

Let's get this out of the way first: Nothing new to report on Alfredo Simon, but I haven't been awake for that long. It's believed that he's incarcerated while police try to determine whether the bullet that killed a 25-year-old man on New Year's Eve came from his gun. The story grows more complicated by the day, including the revelation that the victim, Michael Esteban Castillo, was Simon's cousin. Simon has stated that he was close friends with the victim and the fatal shooting was...

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Latest Simon update (with update)

January 03, 2011, 4:58pm

Orioles

According to this tweet from The Associated Press' Dionisio Soldevila, Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon could be held without bail for one year in his native Dominican Republic until his case goes to trial. Simon's lawyers reportedly will appeal the decision, according to Soldevila. Simon met with law enforcement officials today at national police headquarters in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he was questioned about the shooting that left one man dead and another injured. Simon...

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CNN report: Simon claims shooting death was accidental (updated)

January 03, 2011, 10:00am

Orioles

CNN report: Simon claims shooting death was accidental (updated)

According to this report on CNN, Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon claims that the shooting death of a 25-year-old man in the Dominican Republic was accidental. Simon also states that he was friends with the victim. "In truth, that young man was my friend, like a brother," Simon said of Michael Esteban Castillo. "It wasn't a thing like we began arguing and I started shooting. It was some accident; it happened by accident. That's why I came here - to open my soul." Puerto Plata District...

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Simon's agent remains optimistic, awaiting word

January 03, 2011, 8:36am

Orioles

Simon's agent remains optimistic, awaiting word

Phil Isaac, one of the agents who represents Alfredo Simon, is waiting to hear back from the Orioles' reliever after this morning's meeting with law enforcement authorities in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. According to published reports, Simon is the primary suspect in the shooting death of a 25-year-old man on New Year's Eve. Isaac, of the Para Sports Group, said by phone earlier today that he remains optimistic that "this thing will get resolved in his favor." "Again, we're...

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Simon surrenders to Dominican police

January 03, 2011, 6:23am

Orioles

Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon reportedly has arrived at national police headquarters in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where he will be questioned about the shooting that left one man dead and another injured. According to this wire story, Simon was accompanied by his mother and lawyer, who gave detectives Simon's gun as part of the investigation into the killing of a 25-year-old man on New Year's Eve. Simon claims that he fired two shots into the air. The Orioles won't issue any...

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Awaiting word on Alfredo Simon

January 03, 2011, 2:37am

Orioles

So much for a quiet Sunday. Let's see what Monday brings. If more details unfold, I would expect the Orioles to issue a statement today regarding reliever Alfredo Simon. He's the primary suspect in a shooting in the Dominican Republic that left one man dead and injured another. A team spokesman said yesterday that the Orioles wouldn't comment until more information became available. I was told that Simon would most likely meet with law enforcement officials later today in the Dominican....

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Disturbing report on Simon (updated)

January 02, 2011, 6:05am

Orioles

I've been alerted to a report coming out of the Dominican Republic concerning Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon that has left me speechless. According to this tweet from the Associated Press' Dionisio Soldevila, Simon is accused of murder in his native Dominican Republic. I'm told that a few of his teammates are aware of the story and are "in shock." I'll obviously have more to report later. Here's more on the incident. Simon is the primary suspect in a shooting that killed...

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Looking back and ahead

January 02, 2011, 5:49am

Orioles

This was my last morning to sleep late before school starts up again and I'm rolling out of bed at 6:30 a.m. I think the Christmas break should start the day after Thanksgiving and last until the day after the Super Bowl. If I were king... Not much to report today. The Orioles have scheduled a physical for Derrek Lee this week and will make him available to the local media once he's passed it. He'll say all the right things about the organization and the city of Baltimore. He won't...

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Policing the lineup

January 01, 2011, 5:15am

Orioles

Happy New Year. I'll try to type quietly this morning in case your head is pounding. I'm perfectly fine, but it seems appropriate on this day to post a few hangover remedies, so feel free to share them with the rest of the class. I know greasy McDonald's has been recommended in the past - as if there's any other kind of McDonald's. At least one person will suggest that you keep drinking, but I'm more inclined to suggest fast-food. Like many of you - at least the conscious ones -...

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Lee agrees to terms

December 31, 2010, 10:45am

Orioles

A team official has confirmed that the Orioles reached verbal agreement with free-agent first baseman Derrek Lee on a contract for 2011. The signing will become official once Lee passes a physical. Various reports have placed the Orioles' offer at one year for around $8 million. Lee was willing to accept a one-year deal, while Adam LaRoche continued to seek three guaranteed years. The Orioles decided recently to move on without LaRoche and intensified talks with Lee's agent, Casey...

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Examining a few pitching options

December 31, 2010, 6:36am

Orioles

I want to begin by wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year. Be careful if you're driving later. The roads will be filled with amateurs. I feel like I already rang in the New Year at Camden Yards each time a ball dropped in shallow left-center field. If the Orioles add a starting pitcher as expected, they won't necessarily shy away from a low-risk, high-reward type who's coming off an injury. However, they'll need to feel comfortable that he's healthy and ready to compete for a job...

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Lee leading first base race

December 30, 2010, 2:17pm

Orioles

If I had to handicap the first base race in Baltimore, it's becoming more evident that Derrek Lee has pulled ahead of Adam LaRoche. LaRoche was an early favorite, and the Orioles have held extensive talks with his agent, Mike Milchin, but they seem prepared to move on without him because of contract demands that they're not willing to meet. I talked to someone in the organization earlier today who, while declining to offer many specifics, indicated that Lee is the more likely player to sign...

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No news is bad news

December 30, 2010, 5:13am

Orioles

Is anyone else having trouble concentrating today because of the excitement surrounding the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium? Like we don't have enough meaningless bowl games polluting our airwaves. Kansas State and Syracuse are playing in the Bronx. I guess RFK Stadium couldn't be cleaned up in time. I yearn for the days of the Rose, Cotton, Sugar, Orange, Gator, Peach and Tangerine bowls. Throw in the old Blue-Gray game. And bring back the game between the Super Bowl champions and the...

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Bullpen banter

December 29, 2010, 6:05am

Orioles

I'm in between breakfast courses and wanted to check in real quick. The first course included fried ham and French toast made with gourmet Italian panettone bread. The eggs are cooking. Over easy. I'll need the jaws of life to get out of these pants. I would love to pass along an update on the first base negotiations, but I've got nothing. The Orioles preferred Adam LaRoche. They turned their attention to Derrek Lee. They continue to hold discussions with LaRoche's agent. They continue...

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Most managers in place in minors; Hobgood update

December 28, 2010, 11:48am

Orioles

Most managers in place in minors; Hobgood update

The Orioles probably won't announce their full minor league coaching staffs until after Jan. 1, but the top four affiliates have their managers in place. Gary Allenson returns as Triple-A Norfolk manager, Gary Kendall moves up from Single-A Aberdeen to Double-A Bowie, Orlando Gomez returns to Single-A Frederick and Ryan Minor returns to low Single-A Delmarva. Orioles manager Buck Showalter still wants to add a seventh coach, like an eye-in-the-sky, and that hire could influence additions to...