What should the Orioles look for in a new manager?

What should the Orioles look for in a new manager?
The next big move for the Orioles, or one of them, will certainly be the hiring of a new manager. New general manager Mike Elias said the background work on managerial candidates had already begun the day he met the media for the first time on Monday. He would not put a timetable on the hiring and seemed to want to be thorough in his search for Buck Showalter's successor. I'm not sure we just could put down on paper exactly what the Orioles need in a new skipper and then find someone that...
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Branden Kline's fastball returned in 2018, but the changeup made the difference

Branden Kline's fastball returned in 2018, but the changeup made the difference
The Orioles added Frederick, Md., native Branden Kline to their 40-man roster on Oct. 30 and it was pretty much a no brainer. They added a young pitcher with a big arm who was once one of their top draft picks. Kline returned strong this year after three seasons from 2015-2017 that were impacted by his Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2015 and complications after the procedure. Kline made eight starts to begin the 2015 season for Double-A Bowie, but didn't pitch after late May, and his elbow...
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Oh, what a night: Remembering the 1983 champion Orioles

Oh, what a night: Remembering the 1983 champion Orioles
When the Orioles took the field against the Philadelphia Phillies for the 1983 World Series, there was plenty of motivation, and not just to win the championship. The Orioles were also out to avenge two heartbreakers - losing a 3-1 lead in the 1979 World Series and losing the 1982 American League East title on the season's final day. The Orioles lost the series opener 2-1 to the Phillies at Memorial Stadium, but that would be their only loss. They took the series in five games, completing the...
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With Sig Mejdal, O's should take big leap forward in analytics

With Sig Mejdal, O's should take big leap forward in analytics
We have a pretty good source that essentially informed us that the Orioles need to dramatically upgrade their usage of analytics moving forward. The source is the players on the 2018 Orioles. It was not a good look for the organization when, after Kevin Gausman and Brad Brach were traded to Atlanta and Zach Britton was dealt to the Yankees, that all three spoke about being exposed to much more analytical data and information with their new clubs. Whatever the problem was in Baltimore, it needed...
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A look at some Rule 5-eligible Orioles

A look at some Rule 5-eligible Orioles
When the Orioles added right-hander Dillon Tate to their 40-man roster yesterday, that brought the number of players added in the July trades to seven on the 40-man. The others are pitchers Cody Carroll, Luis Ortiz, Evan Phillips and Josh Rogers, and infielders Jonathan Villar and Breyvic Valera. The 24-year-old Tate was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 draft by Texas out of UC-Santa Barbara. The Rangers traded him to the Yankees on Aug. 1, 2016 and the Yankees traded him with Carroll and...
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On his first day in Birdland, Mike Elias said the cupboard is not bare

On his first day in Birdland, Mike Elias said the cupboard is not bare
If you think that everything is wrong with the Orioles because they lost 115 games last year, and that their minor league system is bad, there is at least one person who does not agree with you. That is new executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. Was the new man in charge just being nice or does he look around and truly see some things to like and some players here that could help the next winning team in Baltimore? In his introduction yesterday to the Orioles media - and, by...
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Mike Elias hopes to create an "elite talent pipeline" to rebuild the O's

Mike Elias hopes to create an "elite talent pipeline" to rebuild the O's
During a 40-minute introductory session with reporters today televised live on MASN, new O's executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias provided some details on how he will try to duplicate success stories he was previously involved with in St. Louis and Houston. "We're going to build an elite talent pipeline," Elias said. Of the players now in the organization, he said, "There are some future stars in the system and some really good pitchers." The soon-to-be 36-year-old...
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As Mike Elias takes over, will he follow the plan from Houston?

As Mike Elias takes over, will he follow the plan from Houston?
As the Orioles introduce Mike Elias today as their new executive vice president and general manager, we will hear from him for the first time as an Oriole. It should be a great opportunity for Elias to present his vision and plan for the future. There are no handbooks or sure-fire guidelines for rebuilding baseball teams, and there must be many ways to build a winner, but things that have worked for a long time still work in the sport. Like starting with a strong foundation in scouting and...
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About that No. 1 draft pick ...

About that No. 1 draft pick ...
It is several months away. but another big decision that new Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias will have to make is which player to take with the No. 1 pick in the June 2019 First-Year Player Draft. For just the second time in Baltimore Orioles history, the club will have the top pick next June. That is since the draft began in 1965. In 1989 selecting first overall, the Orioles took LSU right-hander Ben McDonald. The Orioles have never had the No. 2 pick, and...
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Mike Elias should hit the ground running with a lot on his plate

Mike Elias should hit the ground running with a lot on his plate
New Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias will no doubt hit the ground running. He'll be introduced to the Baltimore media at the Warehouse on Monday. Elias for now inherits several staff members already in place and some scouts likely already have contracts in place for the 2019 season. Other staff likely does as well. There is nothing wrong with this and no one coming in would change everything. There will no doubt be some members in the front office that Elias...
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A new day: Mike Elias hiring made official by the Orioles

A new day: Mike Elias hiring made official by the Orioles
The Orioles made the expected announcement today, that Mike Elias will head up their baseball operations, and they made it clear that his leadership and vision will take this team through the rebuilding process. He is the top decision maker. Elias' title is executive vice president and general manager. A club announcement states that "Elias will oversee all baseball operations for the club and have full autonomy to build his staff and make decisions on all baseball matters that he believes...
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One former Oriole endorses Joe Espada as manager

One former Oriole endorses Joe Espada as manager
Not long after Mike Elias' addition to head up Orioles baseball operations is made official, one of his first big moves will be choosing which manager he hires to succeed Buck Showalter. Would Elias consider someone from Houston? If he does, he could look to Astros bench coach Joe Espada, who has interviewed for multiple managing openings this year, including in Toronto. He's been a hot candidate after serving just one season as Houston bench coach. He joined the staff in 2018, replacing Alex...
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What they are saying about soon-to-be-Oriole Mike Elias

What they are saying about soon-to-be-Oriole Mike Elias
There is a lot to like about Mike Elias, who is expected to soon officially join the Orioles and head up the club's baseball operations. He got his start in scouting in a sharp and smart St. Louis Cardinals organization. He worked closely in Houston with general manager Jeff Luhnow for perhaps the most progressive and forward-thinking organization in the majors. Elias saw Houston lose 107 and 111 games in his first two years in that organization in 2012 and 2013, and then was a big part of...
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Looking at the AL Cy Young race and a new GM report

Looking at the AL Cy Young race and a new GM report
I was not among the writers assigned to vote for the American League Cy Young Award this year, but that doesn't keep me from having an opinion on who should win. First, a quick look at the three finalists. In alphabetical order they are Corey Kluber of Cleveland, Blake Snell of Tampa Bay and Justin Verlander of Houston. Kluber won the AL Cy Young in both 2014 and 2017 and was third in 2016. Verlander won in 2011, finished second in 2012 and 2016 and has been in the top five six times. Kluber...
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A look at the 2018 rotation struggles and more

A look at the 2018 rotation struggles and more
The Orioles rotation was bad - really bad - during the 2017 season. The team ERA for its starters was 5.70, was last in the American League and was the highest rotation ERA in Orioles history, which of course, began in 1954. While the rotation ERA was a tick better last year at 5.48, that still rated last in the AL, and a case could be made that it wasn't that much better than the disaster of 2017. The 2018 rotation pitched fewer innings than the year before (846 to 833 2/3) and posted a...
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Tanner Scott has been closing the gap between potential and performance

Tanner Scott has been closing the gap between potential and performance
On a team that doesn't feature many pitchers with either big strikeout totals or premium velocity, the Orioles have a young lefty that checks both boxes. Reliever Tanner Scott made some nice gains in the second half of the 2018 season and the vast potential the club felt was there all along started to present itself. He doesn't yet have the stats to grab much attention, but as his control and slider have improved over the last two years, you can start to see the makings of a possible...
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Second offseason edition: "10 questions for O's fans"

Second offseason edition: "10 questions for O's fans"
It's that time again: time for me to ask you some questions and get your responses. Once again today, I've thrown out 10 questions and am looking for your responses. Answer one question or all 10. Provide short answers or long. Respond to answers by other readers. It's all welcome. The first two questions are the same from last time as we're all still looking for answers from the team so let's get reader input on it. Here are the questions: 1. Who do you like to become the next general...
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The outfield: A good place to begin for rebuilding O's

The outfield: A good place to begin for rebuilding O's
For the rebuilding Orioles, the outfield is a good place to start. There is some youth there that has shown promise, and four of the six players listed at outfield on the 40-man roster were drafted by the team. It is a position of some depth in the organization, and late last year we began to see some of that make its way to the big league roster. With Mark Trumbo listed as a designated hitter, the oldest player on the 40-man in the outfield is Joey Rickard at 27. The four home-grown...
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Manny Machado in the spotlight as free agency begins

Manny Machado in the spotlight as free agency begins
While we know that the Orioles won't be chasing top free agents, they are tied to one, and that is infielder Manny Machado. Drafted No. 3 overall by the Orioles in 2010, he went on to play 860 games for the team until they traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July. Three times, he would finish among the top nine in the American League MVP race while an Oriole. But now he's a free agent, and despite his controversial postseason, he's likely to get a huge contract via free agency. Maybe...
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Rebuilding Orioles need to look within, not at free agents

Rebuilding Orioles need to look within, not at free agents
As baseball free agency gets going, we know the Orioles will not be playing in the deep end of the pool. No chance of a Manny Machado reunion or a run at one of the top starters out there, such as Patrick Corbin or Dallas Keuchel. But should the Orioles even stick their toe into the shallow end of the pool? There certainly will be players to be had on one-year contracts who could help a club. The Orioles could use a sound defensive shortstop, and there are a few available. While José...
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