In their search for an outfielder, is the O's guy already here?

In their search for an outfielder, is the O's guy already here?
It is a fair question that some fans have been asking: If the Orioles have an outfielder like Dariel Alvarez that is almost ready for the majors, why not turn right field over to him come April rather than sign another outfielder? After all, Jonathan Schoop won the second base job at spring training last year. Could Alvarez do that in Sarasota this year? While that seems possible, it doesn't seem likely. Alvarez has just one full minor league season under his belt and has played just 44 games...
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Will Gamboa's long road lead to Baltimore in 2015?

Will Gamboa's long road lead to Baltimore in 2015?
It has been a very interesting last few months for Orioles right-hander Eddie Gamboa, who made it back to the club's 40-man roster on Dec. 3 when he signed a major league contract. That was a real triumph for Gamboa. For the last two years, he's been transitioning to a knuckleball pitcher. Last March, he worked 4 2/3 scoreless innings in big league exhibition games, making a solid impression, and he followed that up by pitching to a 4.06 ERA at Triple-A Norfolk. He seemed to be on a path to...
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Fun while it lasted: Is Tampa Bay headed back to the bottom of the AL East?

Fun while it lasted: Is Tampa Bay headed back to the bottom of the AL East?
Since 2008, the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays have combined to win three American League East titles while the Yankees and Red Sox have combined to win four. That is not bad for two franchises that spent so many seasons losing and cannot spend at the same level as those teams. Tampa Bay, and then Baltimore, took on and at times passed the big boys on their way to the top of the division. Can't imagine many O's fans that didn't enjoy that and/or preferred that Tampa Bay won if the Orioles...
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What the 2015 season might bring for some top O's prospects

What the 2015 season might bring for some top O's prospects
Baseball America released its list of the top 10 Orioles prospects at the end of October. Four players on that top 10 are already on the Orioles' 40-man roster and probably six or more potentially could play for the Orioles this season. Today, let's take a look at what we might see from this group come April. 1) Dylan Bundy, RHP: Bundy is likely to begin the season in Double-A Bowie's rotation. Believe it or not, Bundy has pitched just 16 2/3 innings in his life so far at that level. But...
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How will the Orioles fare statistically in 2015?

How will the Orioles fare statistically in 2015?
Among the fun things about baseball are our constant speculation about the upcoming season, and our debates about how the team and certain individuals will do. Today it might be interesting to look at some O's team stats posted last year and get your takes on whether the club will go over or under that total in 2015? Will they be better or worse in certain stat categories? Feel free to express an opinion on some or all of these, but here are a few to take a look at and also listed is where the...
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Pondering whether Schoop can take his offense to another level (Santarone note)

Pondering whether Schoop can take his offense to another level (Santarone note)
Jonathan Schoop is already a rare player in that he was a signed international amateur that made it all the way through the from the lowest levels of the Orioles' farm system to becoming a major league starter. Now the question is can he stay as a starter, and how will he do with even more seasoning and experience? Some fans were very understanding of the ups and downs Schoop had last year when he struggled at times playing at 22. Over 137 games and 455 at-bats, the native of Curacao hit .209...
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If Mussina gets the call to the Hall, will he go in as an Oriole?

If Mussina gets the call to the Hall, will he go in as an Oriole?
Former Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina has some work to do in his bid to make the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. In his first year of eligibility in 2014, Mussina was named on 20.3 percent of the ballots with 14 players getting a higher percentage. On Tuesday, Mussina was named on 24.6 percent of the ballots with 13 players getting more votes. A player needs to be named on 75 percent to make the Hall. If Mussina does someday make it - and I do think he has a good chance eventually - then we'll...
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Prospect profile: Catcher Jonah Heim makes solid early impression with Orioles

Prospect profile: Catcher Jonah Heim makes solid early impression with Orioles
When the Orioles drafted three high school catchers among their top seven picks in the 2013 draft, they knew it was going to take time to develop the trio and for them to advance through the farm system. So far, the process is going quite well for Chance Sisco, taken in the second round (61st overall) in 2013; Jonah Heim, taken in round four (129th overall); and Alex Murphy, selected in round six (189th overall). Sisco won the South Atlantic League batting title this season at Single-A...
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Some position player stats and notes, plus a list of the top remaining free agents

Some position player stats and notes, plus a list of the top remaining free agents
In a recent post, I took a look at the Orioles' solid pitching rotation and how some of the hurlers fared during the 2014 season. Today, here are some notes and stats looking back on some of the key Orioles position players from 2014. Chris Davis: While he hit nearly 100 points lower in 2014 (.196 after .286 in 2013), Davis hit under .200 against both left- (.188) and right-handed pitching (.199). He also hit under .200 both before (.199) and after (.189) the All-Star break. Davis hit two...
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Notes on Hank Peters, speed-up rules and free agent outfielders

Notes on Hank Peters, speed-up rules and free agent outfielders
Checking in on a few Orioles and baseball topics this morning: Hank Peters' passing: The Orioles lost a treasured family member and team Hall of Famer Sunday when former general manager Hank Peters died Sunday morning. The O's GM from 1975-87, Peters built the Orioles' last World Series-winning team in 1983. A few times over the years, I had a chance to meet Mr. Peters and found him to be every bit the gentleman everyone said he was. What a polite and nice man, who managed to stay that way...
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Former Orioles GM Hank Peters dies at 90 (updated with Angelos statement)

Former Orioles GM Hank Peters dies at 90 (updated with Angelos statement)
Hank Peters, the architect of the Orioles' last world championship team in 1983, died this morning of complications from a recent stroke. He was 90. Peters was the Orioles' general manager from 1975 through 1987, and the club won two American League championships on his watch, in 1979 and 1983, and beat the Philadelphia Phillies in five games in 1983 to win the club's third World Series title. He was named Sporting News Major League Baseball Executive of the Year for 1983. Peters also won...
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Chemistry lesson: How important is the clubhouse mix?

Chemistry lesson: How important is the clubhouse mix?
In building a winning baseball team, you need to have plenty of talented players. That part is obvious and a given. But how do aspects like team chemistry and character of the individual players factor in? Are they important, even if you can't put a stat on those intangibles like you can a batting average or ERA? When the Orioles acquired Nelson Cruz, who was coming off a suspension, and Delmon Young last year, some fans wondered how the pair would impact clubhouse chemistry. Now some wonder...
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A look at Colby Rasmus and the ISO power stat

A look at Colby Rasmus and the ISO power stat
If the Orioles do sign outfielder Colby Rasmus, in one sense, maybe he fits right in. He is a player that can deliver home runs while also striking out a lot. The O's have some players that do that. But one stat I read about Rasmus was rather surprising and it is how he fared last year in Isolated Power. In a writeup about Rasmus and his free agent outlook for this winter, MLBTradeRumors.com's profile included this excerpt: Despite seeing only 376 plate appearances in 2014, Rasmus...
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With 11 pending free agents, the Orioles face big questions soon

With 11 pending free agents, the Orioles face big questions soon
Will there be a mass exodus of Orioles following the 2015 season? There sure could be and it has some fans very concerned already, apparent by reading some of the comments here. As many as 11 current members of the 40-man roster are potential free agents following the coming season. Is the O's window to win closing that fast? There are two starting pitchers in Bud Norris and Wei-Yin Chen that are set to be free agents. There are four relievers that could become free agents, including Darren...
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Starting the new year with good starters

Starting the new year with good starters
Happy new year, everyone! I hope 2015 is your best year yet. As for the Orioles, they begin the new year with a pretty solid starting rotation. If pitching is the biggest key to any season - and starting pitching is even bigger than the bullpen in terms of importance - the Orioles seem to be in decent shape in that regard. As some readers seem to be focusing almost 24/7 on which outfielder the Orioles may or may not acquire, let's not forget the pitchers. None of the starters pitched over...
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Starting the new year with good starters

Starting the new year with good starters
Happy new year, everyone! I hope 2015 is your best year yet. As for the Orioles, they begin the new year with a pretty solid starting rotation. If pitching is the biggest key to any season - and starting pitching is even bigger than the bullpen in terms of importance - the Orioles seem to be in decent shape in that regard. As some readers seem to be focusing almost 24/7 on which outfielder the Orioles may or may not acquire, let's not forget the pitchers. None of the starters pitched over...
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Pondering a future return to the rotation for Zach Britton

Pondering a future return to the rotation for Zach Britton
On Memorial Day 2011, Orioles left-hander Zach Britton was 5-2 with a 2.35 ERA in 10 starts. He looked every bit then what he was - one of the best young pitching prospects in the game. But shoulder issues impacted his next two seasons when he posted ERAs of 5.07 and 4.95 and the once-promising pitcher came to spring training last February out of options. But he would never be out of a job. The Orioles were confident he could pitch well when healthy and he sure did that. After a winter of...
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A look back: Five favorites from the 2014 season

A look back: Five favorites from the 2014 season
This might be a difficult task, but what were your favorite Orioles games from the 2014 regular season? If we counted the playoffs, of course, one or all three of the wins against Detroit in the American League Division Series would make the list. Delmon Young's three-run pinch-hit double in the eighth of Game 2 might rank among the greatest moments in club history. Certainly, it produced one of the most amazing comebacks and loudest moments ever at Camden Yards. But here is my list of the...
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After fast start, then surgery, will 2015 be Wieters' last year as an Oriole?

After fast start, then surgery, will 2015 be Wieters' last year as an Oriole?
When it comes to Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, there are more questions than answers right now. Will he make a complete recovery from Tommy John surgery? Can he be ready by opening day? Will the solid offense he showed last year carry over? Will he be an Oriole beyond 2015? Will he even make it as an Oriole through the season or could he be an in-season trade candidate? Here are Wieters' numbers the last few seasons: 2011: He hit .262 with 22 homers, 68 RBIs and had a .450 slugging percentage...
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Orioles' outfielder options are dwindling

Orioles' outfielder options are dwindling
Right now it appears the Orioles starting corner outfielders are Alejandro De Aza and Steve Pearce. David Lough could work his way into the mix. Maybe at some point during the season Dariel Alvarez or Henry Urrutia find their way to the team. Chris Davis is a long-shot candidate to play right field. The O's have Pearce and Christian Walker who could play at first if Davis somehow wound up an outfielder. I still see a fit for free agent Nori Aoki although the Orioles interest seems to be...
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