Notes on Britton, Fielding Bible Awards, spring games and more

Notes on Britton, Fielding Bible Awards, spring games and more
Someone needs to explain to me why the World Series managers would consider pulling their starting pitchers and turning to bullpens that insult Dumpster fires whenever comparisons are made. Justin Verlander could give up five runs in the first inning tonight and run his pitch count to 72, and I'd look the other way. Same with Rich Hill on the home side. He was removed in Game 2 after allowing one run, striking out seven batters and throwing 60 pitches in four innings, and the Astros rallied...
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Scott, Mountcastle named to AFL Fall Stars Game (FanFest note)

Scott, Mountcastle named to AFL Fall Stars Game (FanFest note)
Two Orioles prospects have been chosen to participate in the Arizona Fall League's Fall Stars Game, which airs Saturday night on MLB Network. Left-hander Tanner Scott and infielder Ryan Mountcastle are included on the East Team. They're playing for the Salt River Rafters in the AFL. Scott is 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA in three starts with the Rafters. He's allowed six earned runs (seven total) and eight hits in seven innings, with six walks and five strikeouts. Mountcastle, playing third base as he...
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What's left for the Orioles among starter candidates?

What's left for the Orioles among starter candidates?
Orioles manager Buck Showalter provided one of the early light-hearted moments at Saturday morning's KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5K/1-mile walk at Camden Yards. And I'm not referring to his humorous reaction to my Wonder Woman costume, which both amused and disturbed him. Taking the microphone to offer his appreciation and encouragement to the crowd, Showalter said, "We're looking for good runners, good costumes and left-handed starting pitching." Two out of three ain't bad. The pitching will...
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Minor update on major league coaches (and other notes)

Minor update on major league coaches (and other notes)
There's no real update on the Orioles coaching staff, but I can offer a little clarity on the situation. Not all of the contracts expire on Tuesday. The coaches who came up from the minor league system have deals that run through the end of the year. Third base coach Bobby Dickerson, bullpen coach Alan Mills and assistant hitting coach Howie Clark fall into the latter category. Dickerson was minor league infield coordinator before replacing DeMarlo Hale in December 2012. Mills was Double-A...
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Cobb figures to be too costly for Orioles

Cobb figures to be too costly for Orioles
The Orioles must do more than tinker with their rotation. With the possible departures of four starters, it requires a complete overhaul before opening day. Ubaldo Jiménez, Chris Tillman and Jeremy Hellickson are pending free agents and Wade Miley could join them, with the Orioles expected to decline his $12 million option. Tillman could be re-signed at a significantly reduced rate, but other holes must be plugged. I've heard that Miley would like a return to the National League, where he...
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Showalter moves up active list, Miller moves on to next career

Showalter moves up active list, Miller moves on to next career
The Red Sox, Yankees and Nationals made the playoffs this season and all three managers are out of work. It's a tough business. With Joe Girardi's removal yesterday as Yankees skipper, Buck Showalter moves up to fourth on the list of longest tenured managers behind the Angels' Mike Scioscia, the Giants' Bruce Bochy and the Royals' Ned Yost. Scioscia was hired after the 1999 season, Bochy after 2006 and Yost in May 2010. The Orioles hired Showalter on July 29, 2010 and he was in the dugout...
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Manny Machado is lone Orioles finalist for Gold Glove Award

Manny Machado is lone Orioles finalist for Gold Glove Award
Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is the club's lone finalist for a Rawlings Gold Glove, giving him an opportunity to win his third award. Machado is joined by the Indians' José Ramírez and the Rays' Evan Longoria. The winners will be announced on Nov. 7 on ESPN. The Orioles failed to claim a Gold Glove last year for the first time since 2010. They had multiple winners in four consecutive seasons before 2015, when Machado earned his second award. Machado and first baseman Chris Davis...
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Notes on Dauer, Sardiñas and Wilkerson

Notes on Dauer, Sardiñas and Wilkerson
Rich Dauer finally made it back to the World Series. Dauer is completing his third season as the Astros first base coach and infield instructor. He broke into the majors with the Orioles in 1976 and spent his entire playing career in the organization, retiring after the 1985 season. The Orioles inducted Dauer into their Hall of Fame in 2012. Dauer was the starting second baseman on the last championship team in Baltimore in 1983. A much happier ending than the 1979 World Series, which also...
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Quiet start to Orioles offseason, Hill on hill, spring update

Quiet start to Orioles offseason, Hill on hill, spring update
Updates on the Orioles are scarce as we move through the last days of October. A final decision hasn't been made on the coaching staff and contracts expire at the end of the month. The Orioles are notorious for dragging out the process. Manager Buck Showalter already has met with owner Peter Angelos and he's back in town for Saturday's KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5K/1-mile walk at Camden Yards. Showalter and Angelos could talk again later this week. A replacement hasn't been named for head...
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Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
Someone who's much smarter than me, and that's a deep pool of candidates, noted that this year's World Series between the Astros and Dodgers features two 100-win teams for the first time since 1970. The date jumped out at me straight from my childhood. It was a little dusty. My first memories of the Orioles were born in the '70 season. I'm forever grateful that I have no recollection of the loss to the Miracle Mets in '69. Same with Super Bowl III and the NBA Eastern Division semifinals...
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Six Orioles elect free agency

Six Orioles elect free agency
While the Orioles decide which non-roster players to protect in the Rule 5 draft in December, six of their minor leaguers elected free agency and are eligible to sign with another organization. Pitchers Logan Verrett, Vidal Nuño and Jason Wheeler, catcher Francisco Peña and infielders Johnny Giavotella and Rubén Tejada can test the market, according to a list provided by Major League Baseball and published yesterday by Baseball America. The Orioles could attempt to re-sign any or all...
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Hamstring injuries didn't hurt Mullins' standing in organization

Hamstring injuries didn't hurt Mullins' standing in organization
While the Orioles continue the process of deciding which players need to be protected in the Rule 5 draft, one of their better prospects isn't vulnerable to it. Outfielder Cedric Mullins doesn't need to be added to the 40-man roster. His time is coming, but not this winter. Hamstring injuries limited Mullins to 76 games at Double-A Bowie, but it wasn't a lost season in the eyes of the organization. The Orioles were comfortable bumping Mullins from Single-A Delmarva to Bowie after he batted...
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The Dariel Álvarez pitching experiment will continue

The Dariel Álvarez pitching experiment will continue
The Orioles will resume their attempts to transform Dariel Álvarez from an outfielder to a pitcher. They haven't bailed on the idea. Álvarez is rehabbing his right elbow following ligament-reconstructive surgery in April. Don't forget about him. The Orioles remain committed to seeing this experiment through. "He's doing great," said director of player development Brian Graham. "He's coming back to spring training. And by the end of spring training, he'll be close to being able to...
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Orioles facing roster decision with Wilkerson (update)

Orioles facing roster decision with Wilkerson (update)
The Arizona Fall League attracts scouts and officials like moths to flames, and no one wants to get burned. Don't miss out on a prospect who may become available. Don't let one of your own slip away. The Orioles must decide whether to protect infielder Steve Wilkerson before the Rule 5 draft that closes out the Winter Meetings in Orlando. Assigning him to the Salt River Rafters in the AFL can provide a clearer read on his abilities, though it also gives representatives from other teams the...
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Orioles sign Can-Am League MVP Joe Maloney

Orioles sign Can-Am League MVP Joe Maloney
The Orioles began their offseason by aiming to improve their depth at first base in the farm system. Always attracted to power at any level, the Orioles announced today that they signed Joe Maloney to a minor league contract. Maloney, 27, was a 10th-round pick of the Rangers in 2011 out of Division II Limestone College in South Carolina. He spent the 2017 season in independent ball and was named Most Valuable Player in the Can-Am League after batting .282/.359/.638 with 24 doubles, two triples,...
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Decision pending on Harvey's role to begin 2018 season

Decision pending on Harvey's role to begin 2018 season
If the Orioles continue to resist trading one of their top relievers, and more phone calls will roll in with clubs viewing them as having a surplus, they're going to break camp next spring with a bullpen that includes closer Zach Britton, Brad Brach, Darren O'Day, Mychal Givens and Richard Bleier. The number of relievers can't be pinpointed as long as there's the possibility of an adjusted early rotation and bench. The Orioles won't necessarily begin with the standard five starters, seven...
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Jones on young outfielders, E-Rod surgery, Reimold news

Jones on young outfielders, E-Rod surgery, Reimold news
The Orioles aren't in a position to make significant changes to their lineup next season with the bulk of their primary starters back in uniform. The infield appears to be set and they easily could turn over the catching duties to Caleb Joseph and rookie Chance Sisco if Welington Castillo exercises his $7 million option. Castillo is expected to test free agency. That's the industry buzz. The early outfield speculation puts Trey Mancini in left field, Adam Jones in center and Austin Hays in...
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Various improvements needed from these six Orioles

Various improvements needed from these six Orioles
The Orioles will seek outside help to avoid another last-place finish, but they also hope that improvement comes from within, that various shortcomings have a short shelf live. Here are a few that come to mind. I'll update the list as the offseason rolls along: Kevin Gausman needs two good halves In the same season. It's an important qualifier. Gausman flashes the ace material after the break. He registered a 3.10 ERA in the second half in 2016, going 4-2 with a 2.45 ERA in six August starts,...
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This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Four teams have managerial vacancies and none of them are expected to interview Orioles bench coach John Russell. Lots of names are surfacing as candidates for jobs with the Red Sox, Tigers, Mets and Phillies. Alex Cora is a popular one. It seems like only a matter of time before he gets an opportunity. Meanwhile, Russell never seems to be given consideration despite annual endorsements from Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Russell spent three seasons as Pirates manager from 2008-2010 and his...
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Still waiting on decision regarding Orioles coaching staff

Still waiting on decision regarding Orioles coaching staff
The Orioles apparently haven't made a final decision on their coaching staff for next season. There's been no confirmation on returns or changes. The situation needs to be resolved soon with contracts expiring at the end of the month. Then again, the Orioles have been known to move slowly on such matters. No one claims that Maryland is all about crab cakes, football and quick resolutions. Manager Buck Showalter has stated that he wants everyone back and he passionately defends first-year...
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