Showalter meets the press

Showalter meets the press
SAN DIEGO - As a reporter began to ask Orioles manager Buck Showalter this afternoon about the moves made by the Yankees and Red Sox during the offseason, he interrupted with a question of his own. "They run out of money yet?" Probably not, which doesn't have him overly concerned. This isn't Showalter's first season with the Orioles and it isn't his first time at the Winter Meetings. Good luck trying to ruffle his feathers. Showalter was relaxed and quick with a quip during his media...

Hearing from Duquette at the Winter Meetings

Hearing from Duquette at the Winter Meetings
SAN DIEGO - Now that you've had time to digest the nuggets of information coming from executive vice president Dan Duquette's session with the media earlier today at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, here are some expanded quotes that went along with them. "We've met with a bunch of agents on outfield options and a couple of pitching options, so we were sharpening our focus on the market in those two areas," he said. "We've got a much better idea of what the market is in the outfielders and...

Duquette confident Orioles will leave meetings with a couple of players

Duquette confident Orioles will leave meetings with a couple of players
SAN DIEGO - Orioles general manager Dan Duquette made it through today's media session at the Winter Meetings without fielding any questions about the Blue Jays. Must be those reports that Paul Beeston will return as Toronto's president/CEO in 2015. Duquette said he spoke to "a bunch" of agents and had trade discussions with four or five executives concerning outfielders and relievers. He's looking for left-handers and right-handers. After noting that the market is starting to take shape,...

Duquette meeting with Young's agent

Duquette meeting with Young's agent
SAN DIEGO - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is meeting today with the representative for free agent Delmon Young, and the club is viewed as a favorite to re-sign the veteran outfielder. One scout from another organization considers the Orioles an overwhelming favorite despite Young's preference for a two-year deal. The club seemed reluctant earlier in the offseason to guarantee more than one year. The Orioles are in the market for right-handed and left-handed bats for the...

The lobby buzz on Matusz

The lobby buzz on Matusz
SAN DIEGO - The lobby of the Manchester Grand Hyatt is filling up again for the second official day of baseball's Winter Meetings. The biggest buzz surrounds free agent pitcher Jon Lester, who reportedly has multiple offers for six years and may have a team willing to give him seven. The Orioles never were in the running for Lester. They're not touching the high-priced starters on the market. While their primary focus has shifted to the outfield, they also are targeting a left-handed...

Day Two of the Winter Meetings

Day Two of the Winter Meetings
SAN DIEGO - If Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette really had a sense of humor, he would have greeted reporters in his suite yesterday while wearing a Blue Jays cap. Too soon? It's pointless to keep asking Duquette about his reported desire to join the Blue Jays as president/CEO. He isn't going to confirm it and he isn't going to provide a stern denial. He's just going to stress that his focus remains on the Orioles. Keep squinting while reading between the lines, but don't...

Duquette: "I'm here with the Orioles and my focus is with the Orioles"

Duquette: "I'm here with the Orioles and my focus is with the Orioles"
SAN DIEGO - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette relaxed on a sofa in his suite at the Manchester Grand Hyatt this afternoon, members of the local media lined up on chairs in front of him trying to ascertain whether he was close to signing a free agent or making a trade. He dispensed the information, careful not to reveal too much, and waited for the inevitable questions about the Blue Jays. Duquette is trying to piece together a roster and eliminate the notion that he's distracted...

Quick hits from Duquette

Quick hits from Duquette
SAN DIEGO - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, sitting with reporters today in his suite at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, indicated that he's more likely to sign a free agent than make a trade at this stage of the Winter Meetings. "It looks like there are more free agents closer to signing," Duquette said. Duquette said he's "reluctant" to trade any of his starting pitchers. Duquette also said he's in the market for right-handed and left-handed hitting outfielders/designated...

Lombardozzi and McCoy outrighted, MLB takes a stand against lung cancer

Lombardozzi and McCoy outrighted, MLB takes a stand against lung cancer
SAN DIEGO - The Orioles just announced that they've outrighted infielder Steve Lombardozzi and left-hander Pat McCoy to Triple-A Norfolk after both players cleared waivers. The 40-man roster is down to 37. McCoy and Scott Barnes were left-handed relievers added to the 40-man roster after the season. The Rangers claimed Barnes off waivers this morning. I'll have more on the roster moves after meeting with executive vice president Dan Duquette at 3 p.m. PST. As public relations...

Orioles lose Barnes on waiver claim

Orioles lose Barnes on waiver claim
SAN DIEGO - The Orioles have an opening on their 40-man roster after the Rangers claimed left-hander Scott Barnes off waivers this morning. Barnes didn't have time to get attached to the Orioles, who acquired him from the Indians on Nov. 26 in exchange for cash considerations. Barnes, 27, appeared in 25 games (one start) with Triple-A Columbus in 2014, going 3-2 with a 3.69 ERA in 31 2/3 innings. In two major league seasons with the Indians, Barnes went 0-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 27 2/3 innings...

Steve Johnson drawing interest from Phillies and Mariners

Steve Johnson drawing interest from Phillies and Mariners
SAN DIEGO - A sportswriter's hearing is tested each December by his ability to decipher the "buzz" from the hotel lobby at the annual Winter Meetings. The sound usually comes from executives, scouts and agents who pass along rumors and shared discussions. Reporters swap information, as well. Most of the Orioles talk, separate from the Dan Duquette drama, centers on their search for outfield, bullpen and catching depth. They have a few free agents of their own that they'd like to bring...

Day One of the Winter Meetings

Day One of the Winter Meetings
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...

Orioles approached about Stubbs, Duquette on MLB Network Radio

Orioles approached about Stubbs, Duquette on MLB Network Radio
SAN DIEGO - The Orioles are in the market for at least one outfielder and have been approached by the Rockies to gauge their interest in Drew Stubbs, according to a source. The Rockies would want pitching in return. Stubbs, 30, batted .289/.339/.482 with 22 doubles, four triples, 15 home runs and 43 RBIs in 132 games. He made $4.1 million this season and is entering his final year of arbitration-eligibility before becoming a free agent. Stubbs is a career .246/.315/.396 hitter in six major...

Angelos on Duquette: "We're not relinquishing him, period"

Angelos on Duquette: "We're not relinquishing him, period"
SAN DIEGO - Orioles managing partner Peter G. Angelos said he fully expects executive vice president Dan Duquette to remain in the organization in his present capacity and has no intention of losing him to the Blue Jays. ESPN first reported today that Duquette was among the Blue Jays' top candidates to replace longtime CEO Paul Beeston, which caused a stir before the Winter Meetings officially began here. Duquette politely declined to be interviewed when I approached him after our flight...

Report: Blue Jays interested in Duquette for team president (updated)

Report: Blue Jays interested in Duquette for team president (updated)
The Blue Jays are in the market for a new CEO/team president, and ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is a candidate. Duquette has been with the Orioles since November 2011, helping to guide the club to three straight winning seasons, its first seasons above .500 since 1996-97. Duquette is under contract through 2018, but the Blue Jays' opening would mark a promotion, and thus the Orioles would have a hard time preventing him from going if he...

Heading to San Diego for the Winter Meetings

Heading to San Diego for the Winter Meetings
Welcome to the last blog entry filed in Maryland until Friday morning. The Winter Meetings are set to begin in San Diego, which brings as much joy to this reporter as being bled with leeches or watching Season 1 of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo." The Orioles need at least one outfielder - the possibilities still include Delmon Young, Michael Morse, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Melky Cabrera - and a left-hander for their bullpen. They're interested in finding another catcher to provide depth...

Orioles have "limited" interest in Aoki

Orioles have "limited" interest in Aoki
As the Winter Meetings approach on Monday, I'll continue to field questions regarding the Orioles' interest in specific players. I can confirm some, make an educated guess on others and plead ignorant on most. I've been asked about free agent outfielder Nori Aoki, who batted .285/.349/.360 this year in 132 games with the Royals. I'm told that the Orioles have "limited" interest in Aoki. I'd expect executive vice president Dan Duquette to meet with agent Nez Balelo of CAA Sports next...

The week in review and comparing De Aza to Markakis

The week in review and comparing De Aza to Markakis
The Orioles lost three of their free agents this week after teams reached agreements with Nelson Cruz on Monday, Nick Markakis on Wednesday and Andrew Miller on Friday. Anyone nervous about Sunday or is it safe to go outside? The Orioles never were going to re-sign Miller and they weren't expected to retain Cruz unless he settled for three years. If fans are reeling, it's probably because they didn't anticipate being hit with the news in the same week. I figured that the Orioles would go...

Andrew Miller agrees to terms with Yankees

Andrew Miller agrees to terms with Yankees
The Orioles never were involved in serious talks to keep left-hander Andrew Miller, refusing to get in a bidding war with 22 other teams. Miller will have plenty of opportunities to make them regret the decision. Miller is staying in the American League East after agreeing to a four-year, $36 million deal with the Yankees, who just confirmed it on Twitter. Early speculation had Miller landing a deal in the $40-$48 million range. He settled for less, but still is going to be paid handsomely in...

Markakis expected to undergo surgery on neck (with quotes)

Markakis expected to undergo surgery on neck (with quotes)
Nick Markakis has moved on from the Orioles, but there's another chapter to add before the book closes on his tenure in Baltimore. Markakis is expected to formally sign his four-year, $44 million contract with the Braves this weekend after agreeing to terms on Wednesday. However, he's likely to undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc in his cervical spine, according to multiple sources. FOXSports.com is reporting that Markakis is leaning toward having the surgery. I've been told that...