This, that and the other, Part II

This, that and the other, Part II
A few more leftovers from my notebook: The Orioles had seven players total 100 or more strikeouts in 2012: Chris Davis (169), Mark Reynolds (159), Adam Jones (126), Matt Wieters (112), J.J. Hardy (106), Wilson Betmit (103) and Robert Andino (100). That's a lot, right? Betemit's 103 strikeouts came in 341 at-bats. Hardy hit .238/.282/.389 with 30 doubles, 22 home runs and 68 RBIs in 663 at-bats. He was the Orioles' No. 2 hitter in 150 of his 158 games, batting .236/.281/.380 in 631...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Anyone find it interesting that the Orioles seem to be focused on finding a designated hitter or left fielder, with no mention of first base? This thought process could change if they don't re-sign Mark Reynolds. Or it means they will move Chris Davis to first base. Or ... something else. The Orioles aren't real keen on clogging up the DH spot with a player who can't contribute in the field, but it seems to work out that way. Ideally, they would find someone who also can play first base or...

This and that from GM meetings

This and that from GM meetings
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he "formally met" with a little more than half the teams at the general managers meetings that concluded earlier today in Indian Wells, Calif. He also spoke to executives from about 10 other teams to "get an idea of what teams are looking for in trades." In addition, Duquette said he spoke to five or six agents who are representing free agent players, describing it as "preliminary talks" that likely will continue at next month's Winter...

Still no meetings scheduled regarding Showalter extension (Ford agrees to terms)

Still no meetings scheduled regarding Showalter extension (Ford agrees to terms)
One of the hot rumors at the general managers meetings in Indians Wells, Calif., involves the Orioles moving closer to signing manager Buck Showalter to a contract extension. There's little doubt that a deal will get done. As Showalter has told me in the past, it will be a short conversation. But nothing is scheduled at the moment. Showalter is into his third week of rehabilitation back home in Texas after undergoing a partial replacement of his right knee. It's a six-to-nine-week process,...

Lee MacPhail passes away at age 95 (with Angelos statement)

Lee MacPhail passes away at age 95 (with Angelos statement)
Lee MacPhail, former Orioles general manager and father of former president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, passed away Thursday evening of natural causes at his home in Delray Beach, Fla. He was the oldest living Hall of Famer, having celebrated his 95th birthday with family and friends two weeks ago. MacPhail was hired as Orioles general manager in 1959 and laid the groundwork for the team that swept the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998...

Butler does it for the Orioles

Butler does it for the Orioles
Now that the Orioles have been shut out of the Silver Slugger Awards, it's up to manager Buck Showalter to bring home the hardware. The Baseball Writers' Association of America will reveal their Managers of the Year in both leagues Tuesday night, with live announcements coming on MLB Network. Showalter, Oakland's Bob Melvin and the White Sox's Robin Ventura are the AL finalists. Ventura is mostly a spectator. It's coming down to Showalter or Melvin. An Oriole won't win the Rookie of the...

Orioles fail to win a Silver Slugger Award

Orioles fail to win a Silver Slugger Award
The Orioles ended their most cumbersome and painful streak this season, posting a winning record and making the playoffs for the first time since 1997, but they remain without a Louisville Silver Slugger Award over the last four years. The winners were announced tonight on MLB Network, and none of the Orioles made the list. Center fielder Adam Jones figured to have an outside chance after batting .287/.334/.505 with 39 doubles, three triples, 32 homers, 82 RBIs and 103 runs scored in 162...

Revisiting yesterday's rumors

Revisiting yesterday's rumors
No matter how many times I've been warned, I can't resist touching the hot stove. We learned yesterday through various reports from the GM meetings that the Orioles are interested in Josh Hamilton and Cody Ross as possibilities in left field. One is more realistic than the other. Care to guess? It would be a tremendous reversal in front office thinking if the Orioles were serious about making a run at Hamilton. Executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated the day after Game 5 of the...

Duquette shut out in Sporting News executive voting

Duquette shut out in Sporting News executive voting
Oakland Athletics vice president and general manager Billy Beane has been named The Sporting News' 2012 Major League Baseball Executive of the Year, as selected by a panel of 57 major league executives. You can read about it here. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette didn't receive a single vote despite trading for Jason Hammel and signing Taiwanese left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, right-hander Miguel Gonzalez and outfielder Nate McLouth, among others. These moves helped the Orioles finish...

Nieves has ties to the Orioles

Nieves has ties to the Orioles
The Red Sox surprised the baseball world by hiring Juan Nieves as their pitching coach. All signs pointed toward Orioles director of pitching development Rick Peterson, a long-time friend and former minor league coach of new Boston manager John Farrell. Farrell reportedly favored Peterson. Maybe he didn't have the final vote. Peterson has his supporters and detractors within the Orioles organization. Not everyone is buying into his methods and philosophies. It would be erroneous to assume...

Award finalists announced tonight (notes on Hamilton, Burke, Peterson)

Award finalists announced tonight (notes on Hamilton, Burke, Peterson)
The finalists for the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) awards in both leagues will be revealed tonight beginning at 6 p.m. on MLB Network. At least we can be assured that the show won't be preempted by live coverage of a luge competition or dirt bike race. The BBWAA votes were submitted before the playoffs. I received a ballot in the mail for the American League Rookie of the Year. It must remain private, however, until the winners are announced next week. Let's just say I...

Flaherty preparing for winter league stint in the Dominican

Flaherty preparing for winter league stint in the Dominican
The Orioles have stated their desire for infielder Ryan Flaherty to play second base in the Dominican Winter League, as they prepare to sort through their candidates and decide on a starter for opening day. Flaherty will join Leones del Escogido on the Sunday following Thanksgiving. He's never played winter ball, though he did report to the Cubs' Dominican academy after being chosen with the 41st overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. "This is all new to me," Flaherty said...

"Bill James Handbook" gives Orioles low marks for baserunning

"Bill James Handbook" gives Orioles low marks for baserunning
The 2013 edition of "The Bill James Handbook," available today, ranks the Orioles as the second-worst baserunning team in the majors. If you've been paying attention, you already know that the Orioles ranked last with 58 stolen bases, and that 28 of those came from Adam Jones (16) and Nate McLouth (12). But that isn't the only deficiency. James notes that the Orioles posted "a -49 net base gain," placing them ahead of only the Detroit Tigers (-67), who happened to reach the World...

Ford listed among minor league free agents (and note)

Ford listed among minor league free agents (and note)
Outfielder Lew Ford, outrighted by the Orioles on Friday, has elected to become a minor league free agent, according to this list provided by Baseball America. The Orioles signed Ford, 35, out of the independent Atlantic League this summer and he batted .183/.256/.352 with three home runs in 25 games, his first major league action since 2007 with the Minnesota Twins. Left-hander Zach Phillips and infielder Steve Tolleson also refused their outright assignments. You can read more here and...

Who's on the bench?

Who's on the bench?
It's always tricky to project a major league roster in early November. Too many players could be signed or non-tendered. The list can become outdated in the blink of an eye. However, there isn't much else to write about in early November, so why not? Perhaps the Red Sox name Rick Peterson as their pitching coach. The Orioles could claim another player off waivers. I won't plan my entire day around it. I'm focusing on the bench this morning. Assuming manager Buck Showalter carries four...

Tolleson refuses outright assignment

Tolleson refuses outright assignment
Infielder Steve Tolleson has refused his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and elected to become a free agent. The Orioles designated Tolleson on Friday to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Tolleson, 29, batted .183/.227/.310 with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in 29 games over four stints with the Orioles in 2012. He hit a game-tying three-run homer off the Phillies' Cliff Lee on June 10 at Camden Yards. Tolleson played second base, shortstop, third base and left field for...

Peterson reportedly favorite for Red Sox job (Astros add Dennis Martinez to staff)

Peterson reportedly favorite for Red Sox job (Astros add Dennis Martinez to staff)
Orioles director of pitching development Rick Peterson is the leading candidate to be named the Red Sox's pitching coach, according to this report from ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes. Peterson apparently is the choice of new Red Sox manager John Farrell, who was tutored by Peterson at Double-A Waterbury in 1986 and Triple-A Buffalo in 1987. An announcement is expected to come Tuesday. Peterson has declined to comment on his interview with the Red Sox, which took place on Saturday, and Orioles...

Finding a role for Hunter

Finding a role for Hunter
Last week, I wrote about Chris Tillman being out of minor league options and how his status could come into play as he attempts to make the Orioles' rotation in spring training. Tommy Hunter is in a similar position. He's also out of options, but he's got experience pitching in relief and could continue in that role next season. Hunter made 20 starts out of his 33 appearances in 2012 and finished the year 7-8 with a 5.45 ERA. He allowed 161 hits and surrendered 32 home runs in 133 2/3...

Phillips declines outright assignment

Phillips declines outright assignment
Left-handed reliever Zach Phillips has declined his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, according to an Orioles official. Phillips is a free agent, but he already had that right with six years in the minors and having been designated previously. The Orioles outrighted Phillips, outfielder Lew Ford and infielder Steve Tolleson on Friday to create room on their 40-man roster. Phillips, 26, pitched to a 6.00 ERA in six games and six innings with the Orioles in 2012. He made 42 relief...

Wondering where Casilla would fit in the lineup

Wondering where Casilla would fit in the lineup
Did everyone fall back this morning? I woke up unsure whether the times on my iPhone and laptop were correct, which led me downstairs to check the clock on my stove. Exciting life I lead, isn't it? The Orioles now have 16 arbitration-eligible players with Friday's acquisition of second baseman Alexi Casilla. They already led the majors before claiming Casilla off waivers. Now they're just piling on. Casilla made $1.382 million in 2012 and he's going to get another raise. It won't be a...