Elias waiting for new CBA before detailing roster plans

Exhibition games have been postponed through March 4 due to the lockout. The inevitable became official yesterday afternoon.

Shocked faces didn't exist.

"We regret that, without a collective bargaining agreement in place, we must postpone the start of spring training games until no earlier than Saturday, March 5th," Major League Baseball said in a statement. "All 30 clubs are unified in their strong desire to bring players back to the field and fans back to the stands. The clubs have adopted a uniform policy that provides an option for full refunds for fans who have purchased tickets from the clubs to any spring training games that are not taking place.

"We are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair to each side. On Monday, members of the owners' bargaining committee will join an in-person meeting with the Players Association and remain every day next week to negotiate and work hard towards starting the season on time."

The Orioles were supposed to host the Yankees on Feb. 26 in Sarasota, after pitchers and catchers reported Tuesday, and they'll lose a minimum of four home games and three road games. The team is offering a refund or credit.

Minor league camp begins Feb. 28 and can't be impacted. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias wasn't ready yesterday to share specifics, including whether prospects tabbed as non-roster invites would shift to Twin Lakes Park.

The Ed Smith Stadium complex would have housed Grayson Rodriguez, Heston Kjerstad, Colton Cowser, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and Kyle Stowers, among others, under the old CBA.

"I'm in a position now where talking about spring training in general is a little tough," Elias said.

"I think that once the circumstances present themselves, we're going to do everything we can with the opportunity to train all these guys. I think it's going to be a very exciting year up and down the organization. We've got young players coming to Sarasota soon to begin training for minor league spring training. Right now, the organization is focused on that and the amateur scouting activities that are going on."

The last few years keep bringing challenges beyond an executive's control. A pandemic, a lockout. The 2020 minor league season canceled and regular season reduced to 60 games. Players working out at home over the summer. Staggered arrivals and unusual setups for 2021 camps.

A foundation rocks as the Orioles try to keep rebuilding.

"It's been a trying couple of years for a lot of baseball teams just because of the pandemic," Elias said. "Obviously, that's been the defining theme the last few years. We've gotten really good and I think all the baseball teams have gotten really good at handling unusual circumstances, remote training, making the most of strange circumstances.

"I think the gains that players have made in our farm system despite those challenges the last few years have been impressive, and it's a credit to our coaches and the players themselves."

ESPN ranked it No. 1 yesterday.

The Orioles went two months between minor league signings, reaching agreement this week with infielder Shed Long Jr.

The Mariners outrighted Long, 26, in October after he batted .198/.258/.360 with four doubles, a triple and four home runs in 34 games, and he elected free agency. He underwent surgery in September 2020 to repair a stress fracture in his right shin, and he had a second procedure on the leg in October that likely will impact his immediate availability to the Orioles.

"We're always looking for depth, and I think in particular in Shed's case, this is a guy who was a pretty major prospect and is still young. He's still 26 years old," Elias said. "He's had some health problems with his leg that have prevented him from really playing last year. So, we think in terms of a minor league signing that he's going to provide a little bit more upside, probably, than you'd get in that category sometimes. And he can move around the field.

"We're still putting together an infield competition and he's going to be a big part of that, being able to play second base, third base, and he can also play the outfield. So, I just think it's a nice addition to the organization."

The infield isn't the lone area that's under construction, and I'm not referring to the left field stands, though that project also is ongoing. The Orioles need more pitching and other options behind the plate.

"I think that we'll get into talking about roster composition when the time is right," Elias said.

A stampede to the free agent market is anticipated the minute that a new CBA is in place. The Orioles will be able to finalize their $7 million deal with starting pitcher Jordan Lyles, who needs to pass a physical and sign his contract.

"Honestly, as the process is ongoing at the league and players level, I have a lot of trust in the people working on it, and until that comes to resolution, it's not a great time for me to get into aspects of adding to the roster or the free agent market," Elias said.

"I can say that our entire organization has been working throughout the winter to be very, very prepared whenever we're allowed to resume regular activity."

Yesterday's news conference announcing the June 12 Paul McCartney concert was moved indoors due to the high winds. Otherwise, the left field construction, with the fence moved back and raised to limit cheap home runs, might have provided a nice backdrop.

"I continue to think it's a very important step for us," Elias said. "The style of play here, while it's created a lot of exciting moments and great baseball here at Oriole Park over the last 30 years, we're looking ahead to the next 30 years. There's going to be a lot of activity and refurbishment around the ballpark over the next several years. But this is something we felt was important to get going right away, and I think it's going to create a more beneficial and appropriate style of play here at the park.

"It's no secret this has been an extreme home run park, arguably the most extreme home run ballpark over the last 30 years, and it's just not a real healthy way of playing your home games 81 times a year. So, we think this will go a long way to making this more of an average or normal type of ballpark in terms of home runs, and we think it will create a better style of play and be helpful for building a team."