Heading to Cooperstown
Heading to Cooperstown
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Not me. You couldn't pry me out of Indianapolis with a crowbar. Manager Whitey Herzog and umpire Doug Harvey have been elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Herzog, who led the Kansas City Royals to three straight American League West titles from 1976-78 before leading the St. Louis Cardinals to the 1982 World Series title and the 1985 and 1987 NL pennants, received 14 of 16 votes. Harvey, who worked National League games for 31 seasons and was named to six All-Star...
Good morning from Indy
Good morning from Indy
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I ran into manager Dave Trembley last night as he was coming up the escalator of the Westin hotel with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Well, not literally. He didn't take a charge. But it was an unexpected meeting. Trembley looks tanned and rested - and we assume he's ready. He's lost about 17 pounds and is looking to shed a few more. According to the New York Post, plenty of baseball executives expect the Orioles and Mariners to be big spenders this winter. I believe...
Koji update
Koji update
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Koji Uehara received permission from doctors to begin playing catch back home in Japan. Uehara is recovering from a torn tendon in his right elbow that ended his season early. It might not sound like much, but we're still two months away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. Uehara told one of the Japanese reporters here that he'll do whatever the Orioles want - start, close, set-up. The Orioles don't appear to have any plans to insert Uehara in the rotation....
And so it continues...
And so it continues...
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
My Southwest flight was booked, and it seemed like most of the passengers were headed to the Winter Meetings. Andy MacPhail is already here, and Matt Klentak, John Stockstill and David Stockstill arrived today. MASNsports.com's Phil Wood and Dan Kolko, The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec and Peter Schmuck, FOXSports' Ken Rosenthal, The Washington Post's Dave Sheinin and USA Today's Mel Antonen made up the media contingent. A scout from another organization was pushing for the Orioles to dip into...
And so it begins...
And so it begins...
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Arriving at your gate at 9:30 a.m. for an 11:45 a.m. flight isn't recommended, but I'm a people-watcher and this is the ideal place for it. It also gives me a chance to gripe about the lousy internet service. I've been disconnected four times already and No. 5 is on the way. A man working security at the Southwest terminal asked if I was heading to "the game." I had no idea what he meant until he referenced the Ravens and Packers. "Don't you do TV stuff?" he asked. Yes, but I'd...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Show of hands if you "get" the title of last night's entry - The wisdom of bringing back Moeller. Or maybe you have to be a dentist. I'm packing my laptop with all the winter meeting necessities, and I just found an old notepad that contains enough clean pages to be useful. As I was flipping through it, I discovered some questions that I had scribbled down for one of the Orioles' new acquisitions. I wanted Jaret Wright's reaction to the trade, and to learn more about his relationship...
The wisdom of bringing back Moeller
The wisdom of bringing back Moeller
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The last few weeks have been hectic and rewarding for catcher Chad Moeller. His wife, Nicole, gave birth to the couple's third child (and second son), Cash Benjamin, on Nov. 23. And earlier today, Moeller and the Orioles reached agreement on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. The Orioles declined Moeller's $850,000 option so they could remove him from the 40-man roster, but they also made it clear that they wanted him to stay in the organization. And...
Moeller signs
Moeller signs
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As expected, catcher Chad Moeller has agreed to terms on a minor league deal that includes a spring training invite. Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, confirmed the signing, which was reported earlier today by The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec. The Orioles declined Moeller's $850,000 option to create room on the 40-man roster, but they wanted him back. He's regarded as the frontrunner to serve as Matt Wieters' backup next season.
Rummaging through my notebook
Rummaging through my notebook
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Carlos Delgado hasn't started playing for Gigantes de Carolina of the Puerto Rican Winter League. The Orioles still intend to scout him later this month unless they find another first baseman. I exchanged emails with Delgago's agent, David Sloane, who said he won't be making any comments regarding negotiations. Nothing personal. It's just in his client's best interests. Sloane, who won't be attending the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, sent out mass emails to reporters that provided...
Not getting Miggy with it - Part II
Not getting Miggy with it - Part II
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It doesn't appear that the Orioles will be making any moves prior to the Winter Meetings that begin on Monday. It's safe to leave the house. I'm still not getting any indication that the Orioles are serious players for free agent Miguel Tejada. They're not in a position to rule out anything at this stage, but I'm told they're far more likely to go in another direction while trying to find a replacement for third baseman Melvin Mora. The Tejada talk has mostly been speculative, which...