FanFest notes and quotes from Showalter, Trumbo, Hardy and more

Every year ,FanFest provides an opportunity for a day-long event where the Orioles' loyal fans get to show the team yet again just how loyal they are and how much they love their team. More than 15,000 did just that Saturday.

But that goes both ways, manager Buck Showalter said. For him, FanFest provided a chance to reunite both with the players he leads and the fans he appreciates so much.

"This is always special. It's so uplifting," Showalter said. "And our players enjoy it. Once our players get here, they love it. They really do. I miss them. I don't know if they miss me. It is one thing to have forced friendships, but these guys are a close group. Being able to bring somebody back like Mark (Trumbo), who fits us so well, was big for us."

A few more notes and quotes from a fun Saturday spent at FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center.

The band is back together: The Orioles have a lot of the same players returning from the 2016 season. The latest to rejoin the team was Trumbo. He likes that fact and sees a team right now that is better than last year's 89-win edition.

"I think it's really comforting (so many players return)," Trumbo said. "I think people should be pretty excited about it. I'm extremely proud of what we did last year. And I think everybody is still healthy and we have some of the younger guys really coming into their own too. Manny (Machado), obviously, is doing his thing, but (Jonathan) Schoop had an outstanding year and should be able to build on that. I think we are even stronger than we were last year."

Trumbo had some strong praise for Hyun Soo Kim. He feels Kim could handle regular at-bats against left-handed pitching.

"If asked to do that, he absolutely can," Trumbo said. "I think everyone saw some of the adjustments he made. But, being down in the lockerroom and sharing a locker next to him, he is the definition of a student of the game. He spends a lot of time trying to get better.

"He realized some of the things he was doing in spring training that we all saw that weren't working and he was able to overcome those. And the next thing you know, he was an extremely productive major league player. So he'll figure it out."

Buck talk: Showalter said that making the playoffs is nice, but now they need to go further.

"I was telling the fans today and our players know this - but just being competitive and in the playoffs isn't good enough for us anymore. They talk about how tough our division is and what the other clubs have done. Our guys have heard that every year. Hopefully we'll be there," Showalter said.

More on the band: Like Trumbo, J.J. Hardy is a big fan of most of the Orioles returning for the 2017 season.

"To see Mark (Trumbo) re-sign was a big deal," Hardy said. "I texted him when I heard. It's awesome, good to see him back. Anytime that you are close with a bunch of guys in the clubhouse, the camaraderie and chemistry people talk about and don't really understand, but it's true. When you come to the ballpark every day and like the people you're around, it makes it a lot easier."

Hardy is going into the last season of a three-year deal for $40 million that he signed during the 2014 playoffs. There is a $14 million option on his contract that could vest for the 2018 season. According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, the 2018 option is guaranteed if Hardy has 600 plate appearances in 2017 or 1,150 plate appearances in 2016-17 combined and passes a physical after 2017 season.

"Honestly, I'm just going into it - it sounds like a cliche - one year at a time," he said. "If I stay healthy and do what I'm capable of I think they'll pick up the option. If I'm not healthy, I've got to worry about that then, but I'm not going to worry about it now."

Another thought: The health news seemed to be all good from yesterday. Just about every player that was hampered by injury or spent some time on the disabled list in 2016 is doing fine now and is a full go for spring training. That list includes Chris Tillman, who dealt with right shoulder bursitus late last year. Also Chris Davis, who dealt with a dislocated left thumb and left hand pain almost all of last season. Darren O'Day has overcome the hamstring and shoulder issues that led him to the DL twice last season. Brad Brach is long since recovered, he said, from the left knee procedure he had to repair a torn meniscus in October. Joey Rickard's thumb injury is fine now.

Showalter mentioned during his Fan Forum that the Orioles could begin the 2017 season with either 10 or 11 pitchers and then eventually get to 12. The O's don't need a fifth starter until Game No. 10 on April 15 in Toronto. That could allow them to take a longer look, for instance, at a Rule 5 draft pick and/or carry a player like Trey Mancini, at least at the outset of the season. We'll see how this all plays out soon enough.

Links

* Manny Machado said "I'd rather win a ring than sign a long-term contract."
* Adam Jones said the outfield defense still needs upgrading.
* Showalter is not concerned about Dylan Bundy's innings.
* Check out some videos of yesterday's interviews from our media lounge.