Boras on Orioles: "They've feathered up"

SAN DIEGO - A grand tradition of the Winter Meetings is the enormous media scrum that sets up for agent Scott Boras in the lobby area. Occasionally informative and often entertaining.

The Orioles’ unexpected rise to contender status in 2022 and executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias’ vow to seek ways to improve the major league roster have put them back on his radar.

“Baltimore, they’re birds of prey,” Boras said. “They’ve feathered up.”

Don’t overthink it. Whatever “feathered up” means, it’s vintage Boras.

“They have an amazing young core,” Boras added, before listing clients Gunnar Henderson and DL Hall. “There are a number of young players that they’re stocked with, and I think they’re trying to supplement this young nucleus. They really feel like they’re ready to compete.”

Elias has maintained communication with Boras, who didn’t name-drop when asked about specific players.

Taijuan Walker is a potential fit for the Orioles, who are hunting for another veteran pitcher, but Boras also represents Carlos Rodón, the highest-profile starter left on the market.

Shortstops Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts also are clients of the Boras Corporation, but the Orioles seem content with their in-house options.

"They've been very aggressive,” Boras said. “Mike has been in constant contact. The Orioles are in a different place, and Mike's made us all very aware of that."

Boras entered the lobby and stepped onto an equipment box positioned in front of a Winter Meetings backdrop about 30 minutes after commissioner Rob Manfred began fielding questions during his own media session one floor above at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

The room started to empty, first in drops and then a steady trickle. Boras is the headliner.

Manfred assured the media that Angelos family litigation wouldn’t negatively impact the club’s future or force a move.

"As long as I have this job, I think you can count on the fact the Orioles are going to be in Baltimore, No. 1,” Manfred said. “No. 2, I have talked to both John and Mrs. (Georgia) Angelos at length, in person, about this topic. I'm comfortable with the positions that they've taken.

“It's absolutely clear under that under baseball's rules, John Angelos is the control person and he has the vote for the club. So I'm sorry there's litigation involved. It attracts all kind of negative attention to the game. Having said that, I'm really comfortable with the way the club is being run and our relationship with the club and Major League Baseball's relationship with the club."

The Orioles’ lease at Camden Yards expires on Dec. 31, 2023, but they can exercise an option for a five-year extension by Feb. 1.

John Angelos has stated in the past that "as long as Fort McHenry is standing watch over the Inner Harbor, the Orioles will remain in Baltimore."

Manfred found his own way of saying it.