Day One of the Winter Meetings
By Roch Kubatko
SAN DIEGO - The calendar says the Winter Meetings officially start today. I'm not sure how to categorize yesterday's activity.
The Orioles made news and it didn't involve any players. Executive vice president Dan Duquette was the center of attention following reports that the Blue Jays wanted to interview him for the president/CEO job.
No matter how Duquette feels about such an opportunity - and he's got to be intrigued by the job title and healthy raise in pay - his contract does not include an opt-out clause, according to sources, and the Orioles at this point have no intention of letting him go to another organization.
This story has legs because Duquette is in San Diego this week to negotiate deals that will plug holes in the Orioles' roster. He can't come across as being conflicted, distracted or anything else that puts him in a negative light.
Orioles fans shouldn't worry about Duquette's loyalty. He's not going to sabotage his meetings or resist improving the team that's paying him for four more years. He's not going to trade Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy to the Jays for a PTBNL.
The Jays haven't sought permission from the Orioles to contact Duquette and you've got to wonder if they'd want to walk into that firestorm. Managing partner Peter G. Angelos made it clear yesterday in an interview with MASNsports.com that he's got no intention of losing Duquette.
Duquette will meet with the beat crew today at 3 p.m. PST. He's going to be asked again about the Jays, and if he really wants to put this story to rest, he needs to come out and say that he's not interested in pursuing the job and will most definitely be with the Orioles in 2015 and beyond.
The past week included Nelson Cruz signing with the Mariners, Nick Markakis signing with the Braves and Andrew Miller signing with the Yankees. Orioles fans don't need another jolt.
They don't have to worry about the Orioles trading Gausman. Teams keeping asking for him and Duquette keeps rejecting them.
"We're real happy that we have Kevin Gausman," Duquette told MLB Network Radio. "He's one of the emerging top pitchers in the American League in my mind."
Duquette said scouts from other organizations really like pitcher Mike Wright, who posted a 0.76 ERA in five August starts with Triple-A Norfolk.
"He's going to get a look in spring training," Duquette said.
Orioles head athletic trainer Richie Bancells was awarded the PBATS Presidential Distinguished Service Award yesterday. It's a big honor.
I'm going to cut-and-paste a press release from Major League Baseball regarding a charity auction to benefit LUNGevity in memory of late Orioles public relations director Monica Barlow:
For the third consecutive year, Major League Baseball, MLB Advanced Media, MLB Network and the 30 clubs have organized a Winter Meetings charity auction that includes unprecedented baseball experiences and rare items to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. This initiative was inspired by the numerous employees, friends and fans of the game who have been directly affected by cancer.
Funds raised from this year's auction will be donated to LUNGevity, the largest national lung cancer-focused nonprofit, in memory of the late Baltimore Orioles public relations director Monica Barlow, who fought a valiant battle with lung cancer until her passing in February of this year. Barlow and her family were enthusiastic supporters of LUNGevity, and the baseball family will set out to continue her efforts. To commemorate the launch of the auction, representatives from Major League Baseball, the Orioles and LUNGevity will join to participate in a special moment at 1:30 p.m. (PT) on Monday.
"Major League Baseball is honored to conduct fundraising efforts for LUNGevity in memory of Monica Barlow," said commissioner Bud Selig. "As a social institution with important social responsibilities, our game's most valuable opportunities are those that make an impact on the lives of others. It is our privilege to contribute to an extraordinary cause."
"LUNGevity, the Orioles and the Major League Baseball family were heartbroken to lose one of our own this year, but Monica Barlow's legacy will live on in the research that is funded and the new treatments that are being developed," said Andrea Ferris, president and chairman of LUNGevity Foundation.
The auction begins at 9 p.m. (PT) today and will be live on MLB.com until Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. (PT). Following are some of the items supporters can bid on, with a full list here:
* Golf outings with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer and World Series MVP Rick Dempsey or Hall of Famer Jim Rice.
* Take batting practice on the field at Comerica Park or Progressive Field, or play catch in the outfield at Wrigley Field.
* Bring a player from the Philadelphia Phillies to work, or win a Phillies Spring Training Fan Experience for four.
* Meet stars like American League MVP Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton, American League batting champion Jose Altuve, Todd Frazier, Jay Bruce, Craig Kimbrel and more.
* Be an Oakland Athletics intern, a Tampa Bay Rays clubhouse attendant or Miami Marlins bat boy or bat girl for the day.
* Shadow San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller, meet New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and watch a live game from his suite, or watch a game with New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and his assistants.
* Spend the day with the World Series Trophy.
* Receive an All-Star media experience, including two pregame field access credentials to the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, two passes to various media events, including press conferences, player availability and the All-Star Gala, plus a meet-and-greet with Hall of Famer Joe Torre, MLB's chief baseball officer.
* Take the lineup card to home plate with Orioles manager Buck Showalter or Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister.
* Get a private pitching lesson from Cy Young Award winners CC Sabathia or Dwight Gooden, or renowned pitching coaches Dave Duncan or Juan Nieves.
* Get your hair cut by New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom, the 2014 National League Rookie of the Year.
* Meet-and-greets with Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully or Bob Uecker.
* Be a MLB.com correspondent for the day.
* Go bowling with San Francisco Giants three-time World Series champion left-handers Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez.
* Meet and greet with 2015 St. Louis Cardinals All-Star players.
* Have Hall of Famer Tony La Russa manage your child's Little League team, or get them a fielding lesson at Camden Yards with All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy.
* Have lunch with the Rays' starting rotation, Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland, or with 2014 National League Manager of the Year Matt Williams and his Washington Nationals coaching staff.
* Take part in a private pottery session with Milwaukee Brewers infielder Scooter Gennett.
* Autographed memorabilia from Hall of Famers like the late Tony Gwynn, Al Kaline, Dave Winfield, Frank Thomas and Joe Torre.
You can learn more about the LUNGevity Foundation at www.LUNGevity.org.
So if you had the World Series trophy for a day, what would you do with it?
This story has legs because Duquette is in San Diego this week to negotiate deals that will plug holes in the Orioles' roster. He can't come across as being conflicted, distracted or anything else that puts him in a negative light.
Orioles fans shouldn't worry about Duquette's loyalty. He's not going to sabotage his meetings or resist improving the team that's paying him for four more years. He's not going to trade Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy to the Jays for a PTBNL.
The Jays haven't sought permission from the Orioles to contact Duquette and you've got to wonder if they'd want to walk into that firestorm. Managing partner Peter G. Angelos made it clear yesterday in an interview with MASNsports.com that he's got no intention of losing Duquette.
Duquette will meet with the beat crew today at 3 p.m. PST. He's going to be asked again about the Jays, and if he really wants to put this story to rest, he needs to come out and say that he's not interested in pursuing the job and will most definitely be with the Orioles in 2015 and beyond.
The past week included Nelson Cruz signing with the Mariners, Nick Markakis signing with the Braves and Andrew Miller signing with the Yankees. Orioles fans don't need another jolt.
They don't have to worry about the Orioles trading Gausman. Teams keeping asking for him and Duquette keeps rejecting them.
"We're real happy that we have Kevin Gausman," Duquette told MLB Network Radio. "He's one of the emerging top pitchers in the American League in my mind."
Duquette said scouts from other organizations really like pitcher Mike Wright, who posted a 0.76 ERA in five August starts with Triple-A Norfolk.
"He's going to get a look in spring training," Duquette said.
Orioles head athletic trainer Richie Bancells was awarded the PBATS Presidential Distinguished Service Award yesterday. It's a big honor.
I'm going to cut-and-paste a press release from Major League Baseball regarding a charity auction to benefit LUNGevity in memory of late Orioles public relations director Monica Barlow:
For the third consecutive year, Major League Baseball, MLB Advanced Media, MLB Network and the 30 clubs have organized a Winter Meetings charity auction that includes unprecedented baseball experiences and rare items to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. This initiative was inspired by the numerous employees, friends and fans of the game who have been directly affected by cancer.
Funds raised from this year's auction will be donated to LUNGevity, the largest national lung cancer-focused nonprofit, in memory of the late Baltimore Orioles public relations director Monica Barlow, who fought a valiant battle with lung cancer until her passing in February of this year. Barlow and her family were enthusiastic supporters of LUNGevity, and the baseball family will set out to continue her efforts. To commemorate the launch of the auction, representatives from Major League Baseball, the Orioles and LUNGevity will join to participate in a special moment at 1:30 p.m. (PT) on Monday.
"Major League Baseball is honored to conduct fundraising efforts for LUNGevity in memory of Monica Barlow," said commissioner Bud Selig. "As a social institution with important social responsibilities, our game's most valuable opportunities are those that make an impact on the lives of others. It is our privilege to contribute to an extraordinary cause."
"LUNGevity, the Orioles and the Major League Baseball family were heartbroken to lose one of our own this year, but Monica Barlow's legacy will live on in the research that is funded and the new treatments that are being developed," said Andrea Ferris, president and chairman of LUNGevity Foundation.
The auction begins at 9 p.m. (PT) today and will be live on MLB.com until Thursday, Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. (PT). Following are some of the items supporters can bid on, with a full list here:
* Golf outings with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer and World Series MVP Rick Dempsey or Hall of Famer Jim Rice.
* Take batting practice on the field at Comerica Park or Progressive Field, or play catch in the outfield at Wrigley Field.
* Bring a player from the Philadelphia Phillies to work, or win a Phillies Spring Training Fan Experience for four.
* Meet stars like American League MVP Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton, American League batting champion Jose Altuve, Todd Frazier, Jay Bruce, Craig Kimbrel and more.
* Be an Oakland Athletics intern, a Tampa Bay Rays clubhouse attendant or Miami Marlins bat boy or bat girl for the day.
* Shadow San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller, meet New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and watch a live game from his suite, or watch a game with New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and his assistants.
* Spend the day with the World Series Trophy.
* Receive an All-Star media experience, including two pregame field access credentials to the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, two passes to various media events, including press conferences, player availability and the All-Star Gala, plus a meet-and-greet with Hall of Famer Joe Torre, MLB's chief baseball officer.
* Take the lineup card to home plate with Orioles manager Buck Showalter or Texas Rangers manager Jeff Banister.
* Get a private pitching lesson from Cy Young Award winners CC Sabathia or Dwight Gooden, or renowned pitching coaches Dave Duncan or Juan Nieves.
* Get your hair cut by New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom, the 2014 National League Rookie of the Year.
* Meet-and-greets with Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully or Bob Uecker.
* Be a MLB.com correspondent for the day.
* Go bowling with San Francisco Giants three-time World Series champion left-handers Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez.
* Meet and greet with 2015 St. Louis Cardinals All-Star players.
* Have Hall of Famer Tony La Russa manage your child's Little League team, or get them a fielding lesson at Camden Yards with All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy.
* Have lunch with the Rays' starting rotation, Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland, or with 2014 National League Manager of the Year Matt Williams and his Washington Nationals coaching staff.
* Take part in a private pottery session with Milwaukee Brewers infielder Scooter Gennett.
* Autographed memorabilia from Hall of Famers like the late Tony Gwynn, Al Kaline, Dave Winfield, Frank Thomas and Joe Torre.
You can learn more about the LUNGevity Foundation at www.LUNGevity.org.
So if you had the World Series trophy for a day, what would you do with it?
LATEST ORIOLES NEWS
LATEST NATIONALS NEWS
About the author
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.masnsports.com/