Duquette and Davis at FanFest

Duquette and Davis at FanFest
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette received a nice ovation today, with many fans rising to their feet as he was introduced at FanFest for the Q&A forum for season ticket holders. Manager Buck Showalter received a prolonged standing ovation, as expected. The reception for Duquette was the real curiosity following reports all winter that he might leave for Toronto. "Sometimes there is substance to them and sometimes there isn't," Duquette said. "There was substance to it, but I...

Now and then

Now and then
The Orioles are holding their annual FanFest today at the Baltimore Convention Center, which figures to keep me busy for approximately 12 hours. I tend to arrive early and stay late. Players, former players, executives and coaches will meet with reporters throughout the day behind the main stage, giving us 10-15 minutes to interview each one. We may need more time with Chris Davis, who joins Manny Machado, Tommy Hunter and Chris Tillman in the first wave around 11 a.m. I talked to Machado,...

Orioles sign Steve Pearce, minor leaguer Austin Anderson suspended

Orioles sign Steve Pearce, minor leaguer Austin Anderson suspended
The Orioles are down to three unsigned arbitration players after agreeing to terms today with Steve Pearce on a contract for the 2015 season. Pearce will receive $3.7 million, exactly at the midpoint after the sides exchanged figures. Pearce submitted $5.4 million and the Orioles countered at $2 million. He made $850,000 last season. It was a breakout year for Pearce after the Orioles released him on April 25 and re-signed him four days later. He set career highs in games (102), plate...

Snider on his past failings and new opportunity with the Orioles

Snider on his past failings and new opportunity with the Orioles
The Orioles made newly acquired outfielder Travis Snider available to the media this morning on a conference call that lasted about 15 minutes and also included executive vice president Dan Duquette. Here's a sampling of quotes from Snider: On his reaction to the trade: "It's always a little bit of a surprise just the way things transpired. Going into the offseason, my wife and I had conversations, and family members, about the possibility of finding a different organization, and at that...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette fielded questions for about an hour last night at the Aberdeen IronBirds' annual Hot Stove Banquet, which drew a crowd of roughly 100 fans at Ripken Stadium. Duquette's interest in the Blue Jays' job was barely mentioned, and he responded by noting the lack of activity last winter before the Orioles reported to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in February. He joked that the club actually is "ahead of schedule" this year. End of topic. Duquette...

Duquette: "I've been focused on helping the Orioles all winter"

Duquette: "I've been focused on helping the Orioles all winter"
ABERDEEN, Md. - Relaxing on a leather sofa in one of the suites at Ripken Stadium, dinner and a Q&A session with fans coming later in the evening, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette was asked to describe an offseason that kept him in the news for reasons beyond making trades and signing free agents. "Interesting," he said with a chuckle. "It's been interesting. I'm not used to being a trade rumor." Before arriving at the ballpark for the IronBirds' annual Hot Stove...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Orioles still haven't released their camp roster for spring training, including the invites, because they're continuing to work on it. More decisions were made yesterday. We must remain patient. It sounds as though the Orioles are leaning toward inviting veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson, who had a tryout earlier this month at the minicamp in Sarasota. Hendrickson has lowered his arm slot to the point where he's more of a submarine stylist. Factor in his 6-foot-9 frame and it's quite...

MASN to air seven Orioles games this spring

MASN to air seven Orioles games this spring
Seven of the Orioles' spring training games this year will air on MASN HD, beginning with the March 5 game against the Blue Jays in Sarasota. The Blue Jays have been attached to the Orioles all winter. May as well keep it going in the spring. All seven games will be played at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The four afternoon games will be replayed the same day in prime time on MASN HD. No need to quit your jobs just so you can stay home. The complete MASN HD spring training schedule for the...

Waiting on the PTBNL in the Snider trade (with another note)

Waiting on the PTBNL in the Snider trade (with another note)
I'm told that the player to be named later in last night's Travis Snider trade with the Pirates won't be determined until spring training. That leaves plenty of time for fans to ask about the PTBNL in the Travis Snider trade. Let me remind everyone that there was no PTBNL in the Chad Bradford deal on Aug. 7, 2008. It was a cash transaction. But it's still fun to bring it up. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington told reporters in Pittsburgh that the PTBNL will be similar to left-hander...

More on the trade, Ohlman and Wieters

More on the trade, Ohlman and Wieters
Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Pirates for not asking the Orioles about the availability of Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. See, that's how you get a deal done. You can't judge this deal until finding out whether pitcher Stephen Tarpley reaches the majors and makes an impact with the Pirates. Until learning the identity of the player to be named later and how he progresses. Until finding out whether Travis Snider can fill a chunk of the void left by the departure of right fielder Nick...

Orioles acquire Travis Snider from Pirates

Orioles acquire Travis Snider from Pirates
The deal is done. The Orioles have acquired outfielder Travis Snider from the Pirates for minor league left-hander Stephen Tarpley and a player to be named later. To make room for Snider on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated catcher Michael Ohlman for assignment. "Snider is a solid, dependable power-hitting outfielder and is an excellent fit for Camden Yards," executive vice president Dan Duquette wrote in a text message. "Should be a good addition to the club at bat and in...

Orioles trying again to acquire Snider from Pirates

Orioles trying again to acquire Snider from Pirates
The Orioles are getting closer to acquiring outfielder Travis Snider from the Pirates, according to multiple sources. One source said the sides rekindled talks a few weeks ago. Another source indicated that the Orioles are trying to limit the return to one minor leaguer. The player going to the Pirates at this stage wouldn't be on the 40-man roster and most likely would be a lower-level pitcher. The Orioles discussed Snider with the Pirates at the Winter Meetings in San Diego and...

Orioles won't raise ticket prices in 2015 (updated)

Orioles won't raise ticket prices in 2015 (updated)
Despite the delay in releasing price information, the Orioles won't increase the cost of their season and single-game tickets in 2015, according to a source. The Orioles notified their season ticket holders that they will receive plan information via email on Feb. 2. In previous years this information has been available in December, which led to speculation that the Orioles might raise prices. Last year's increase in season ticket prices, which averaged about five percent, was the first...

Showalter on Duquette and Wieters on his throwing progression

Showalter on Duquette and Wieters on his throwing progression
The Blue Jays' announcement yesterday that Paul Beeston would return in 2015 as president and CEO shouldn't be viewed as breaking news. We heard about it as far back as the Winter Meetings. The team simply was offering confirmation. I'm not ready to close the door on the Dan Duquette saga. The Jays will need a replacement for Beeston in 2016 and beyond. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was the first call-in guest last night on "The Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 Tjhe Fan. He wasn't going to...

Norris agrees to terms for 2015

Norris agrees to terms for 2015
The Orioles reached agreement with pitcher Bud Norris on a deal for 2015, leaving four arbitration-eligible players without contracts for the upcoming season. Norris will make a guaranteed $8.8 million this year. He submitted $10.25 million on the day that sides exchanged salary figures, and the Orioles countered at $7.5 million. The deal includes a possible $25,000 for reaching 180 innings and another $25,000 for reaching 200 innings. Norris could receive $50,000 for making the All-Star...

Orioles sign Chris Parmelee, Dane De La Rosa to minor league deals

Orioles sign Chris Parmelee, Dane De La Rosa to minor league deals
The Orioles found a left-handed hitting outfielder today, signing former first-round pick Chris Parmelee to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The club also announced that it signed right-hander Dane De La Rosa to a minor league deal, and it confirmed the Steve Johnson signing that was reported a few days ago. They also receive invitations to spring training. Parmelee has been on the Orioles' radar for more than a month. He declined an outright assignment to...

A sampling of Showalter on 105.7 The Fan

A sampling of Showalter on 105.7 The Fan
Orioles manager Buck Showalter compared the Blue Jays' interest in executive vice president Dan Duquette to teams pursuing free agents on the roster during his call-in segment this morning on 105.7 The Fan. Showalter didn't go into any detail regarding the Blue Jays' attempts to make Duquette their president and CEO. A report out of Toronto yesterday stated that negotiations have ended and Toronto will move in another direction. I've been told that the Orioles aren't aware of the Blue...

De Aza's importance growing in quiet offseason

De Aza's importance growing in quiet offseason
Another lazy and uneventful Sunday? Not this one. The Orioles settled on a 2015 contract with infielder Ryan Flaherty and the Blue Jays may have decided again that they were done negotiating to acquire executive vice president Dan Duquette. I'll pause to let you catch your breath. The Orioles have settled with six of their 11 arbitration-eligible players. In case you missed it last night, here are the remaining five and the figures that were exchanged: * Alejandro De Aza submitted $5.65...

Flaherty agrees to 2015 contract

Flaherty agrees to 2015 contract
The Orioles are down to five arbitration-eligible players without contracts for 2015. Infielder Ryan Flaherty has settled tonight at $1.075 million to avoid a potential hearing next month. His contract includes an additional $25,000 for 400 plate appearances. Flaherty, 28, submitted $1.5 million and the Orioles countered at $900,000. He made $513,000 last season while batting .221/.288/.356 with 15 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 32 RBIs in 102 games and 312 plate appearances. "Glad...

Report: Blue Jays end negotiations for Duquette

Report: Blue Jays end negotiations for Duquette
Has the story of the Blue Jays pursuing Dan Duquette for the position of president and CEO finally reached its conclusion? Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca, reported today that the Blue Jays have ended negotiations to acquire Duquette due to the Orioles' insistence on receiving three top prospects. I'm told that the Orioles have no knowledge of the Blue Jays' current intentions regarding Duquette. One person close to the situation said there were no real negotiations because the Orioles rejected...