Orioles continue to conduct business despite vacancies

While the Marlins were showing off Victor Victor Mesa and younger brother Victor Mesa Jr. yesterday to their local media, making the international signings official at a press conference, Orioles fans wondered if the lack of top front office executives sabotaged the club's efforts.

Don't get the impression that no one is minding the store.

Director of player development Brian Graham has been assigned the duties that belonged to executive vice president Dan Duquette. As the Oct. 3 press release stated, Graham his handling the "day-to-day oversight of the Baseball Operations department in the interim period."

There is a steady flow of communication between Graham and ownership. And the Orioles submitted an offer for Victor Victor Mesa, so the opportunity didn't pass while they conducted interviews for president of baseball operations.

They also had five representatives at the showcase at Marlins Park and met with the players, their families and agent Barry Praver. They made their pitch.

The Orioles never conceded that the Mesa brothers would sign with the Marlins, but they knew that the odds were stacked against them based on geography and the showcase taking place in Miami. The Marlins also swung three trades to inflate their international signing bonus funds and eliminating the Orioles' advantage.

Victor Victor Mesa is receiving $5.25 million from the Marlins and it doesn't appear that the Orioles were in the same neighborhood, so to speak, though their offer hasn't been confirmed.

Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald reported that 17-year-old pitcher Sandy Gastón is seeking a bonus in excess of $2 million and the right-hander was linked yesterday to the Rays in a couple of tweets, though none coming from the usual outlets. The Orioles have been focused on reaching an agreement with him after missing out on the Mesas.

They certainly have the funds at $6.5 million, easily more than any other team in baseball.

It's more like cap space, the amount that they're permitted to spend before the reset in July 2019.

* The Red Sox are considering a lineup at Dodger Stadium that puts right fielder Mookie Betts at second base, creating a spot for J.D. Martinez with no designated hitter in the National League for the World Series.

Betts began his professional career as a middle infielder before the Red Sox changed his position. He made 14 starts at second base in 2014 and played six innings in one game this season.

Former Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he first noticed Betts in 2013 while the prospect was playing second base in the Arizona Fall League. Showalter had a chance to speak with Betts and later contacted Red Sox coach and close friend Brian Butterfield.

Showalter basically told Butterfield, "You're going to really like this kid," and not only because of Betts' skills on the diamond.

The move to right field has led to two straight Gold Glove awards and Showalter says Betts is the best at the position that he's ever seen.

* For the people who keep asking, Showalter is planning to attend Saturday's ninth annual KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5K/One mile walk at Camden Yards. The event begins at 8 a.m.

Online registration closes tonight at 11:59 p.m. Beyond the deadline, there are opportunities to register in person on Thursday at Charm City Run in Columbia and Friday at Dempsey's Brew Pub at Camden Yards.

For more information, visit www.kidspeace5k.org.

* A leftover from Saturday night in the Arizona Fall League: Center fielder Ryan McKenna led off for Glendale and went 2-for-5 with two triples, two RBIs and two runs scored in an 11-8 loss to Mesa. He also committed his first error.

McKenna led off again yesterday and had a two-run double.