Hearing more from Duquette

Hearing more from Duquette
DALLAS - Rick Peterson reportedly is no longer a candidate to become Boston's pitching coach. I mention it because Peterson interviewed last week for the Orioles' minor league pitching coordinator job. Here are some comments from executive vice president Dan Duquette: "There were mostly trade discussions today, and some free agent discussions. But primarily trade discussions," he said. "There seems to be more relievers in the market. I haven't found anybody to make a deal yet, so I...

Quick hits with Duquette

Quick hits with Duquette
DALLAS - I'll post quotes later, but I wanted to pass along the highlights from today's media session with executive vice president Dan Duquette. Duquette said he met with about 12 teams today and spoke to six or seven others. He has a few more meetings scheduled for tonight. Duquette said most of the activity today centered on trade discussions, and 65 percent of it involved pitching. The Orioles are in the market for a veteran starter who can provide stability to the rotation, but they...

More from Showalter

More from Showalter
DALLAS - As of 4:30 p.m., the Orioles hadn't met with the agent for outfielder/DH Manny Ramirez. Or should that be DH/outfielder? Anyway, the Orioles aren't dismissing the idea of pursing Ramirez. "I don't think we're in a position to completely close the door on anything," manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't think we're far enough along with anything to say that's in, that's out, but we'll see." The Orioles have held internal discussions about Ramirez, but "not in depth,"...

Orioles still deciding Jim Johnson's role (and more)

Orioles still deciding Jim Johnson's role (and more)
DALLAS - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is meeting with the media. I'll pass along a few notes here, and check Steve Melewski's blog for quotes. Showalter laughed and shook his head when asked whether the Orioles signed Prince Fielder today. Maybe the results of the physical haven't come back yet. Kidding. Showalter repeated that every team here is looking for pitching. It's the "one common denominator," he said. Jim Johnson's role for 2012 remains undecided. He could be a starter...

Florimon claimed off waivers

Florimon claimed off waivers
DALLAS - The Twins claimed shortstop Pedro Florimon off waivers from the Orioles. The Orioles needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the Rule 5 draft. Also, pitcher Pedro Viola cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. Florimon, who turns 25 on Saturday, went 1-for-8 for the Orioles in 2011, making his major league debut Sept. 10 at Toronto.

Duquette confirms interest in Fielder (updated)

Duquette confirms interest in Fielder (updated)
DALLAS - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed to MASN this morning that he's interested in free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder. However, he warns fans not to get their hopes up. The Orioles won't get in a bidding war for Fielder, but the market may be softening for the slugger, which would allow teams on the peripheral to become involved. That includes the Orioles and Mariners. Duquette doesn't know where the market is going for Fielder, but he's paying close...

Brooks Robinson: "I think we need some new blood there"

Brooks Robinson: "I think we need some new blood there"
DALLAS - I'm happy to report that legendary third baseman Brooks Robinson is here as part of baseball's Golden Era Committee, which voted Ron Santo into the Hall of Fame, and that he's feeling much better these days. Robinson looked frail and unsteady during the ceremony on Oct. 22 to unveil his statue outside of Camden Yards. He's had a litany of health issues, and will undergo two more procedures this winter, but he seems to be doing fine. He stood for quite a while as reporters...

Santo elected into Hall of Fame

Santo elected into Hall of Fame
DALLAS - Major League Baseball's Golden Era Committee has voted Cubs legend Ron Santo into the Hall of Fame. Santo needed 12 votes to earn 75 percent. He received 15 of the 16. It's unfortunate that Santo isn't alive to enjoy it. He passed away Dec. 3, 2010. The Committee got it right. Just a year too late. Jim Kaat received 10 votes. Gil Hodges and Minnie Minoso each received nine votes, and Tony Oliva eight. Brooks Robinson is part of the Committee, and he's here today. I'll post...

Day One in Dallas

Day One in Dallas
DALLAS - That's technically correct. Yesterday wasn't supposed to count. The Winter Meetings officially begin today. So why am I so tired already? Maybe it's from having to change rooms when I returned to my hotel around midnight. The temperature inside had reached 100 degrees, according to a maintenance guy who used some sort of infra-red light, pointed toward the ceiling vent, to determine that I could roast a chicken in my bed. Talk about a Rotisserie league ... (Sorry, that's the...

Is Duquette interested in Manny Ramirez?

Is Duquette interested in Manny Ramirez?
DALLAS - As soon as news broke earlier today that outfielder Manny Ramirez had applied for reinstatement, everyone here pretty much held the same thought: Would Dan Duquette try to sign him again? Duquette gave Ramirez an eight-year, $160 million deal with the Red Sox back in December 2000. Ramirez could be secured at a much lower rate this winter, and the Orioles are looking to add another bat to their lineup. The designated hitter slot is open, but is Duquette open to a reunion? He...

Dan Duquette: "We're putting the band back together"

Dan Duquette: "We're putting the band back together"
DALLAS - The Winter Meetings haven't officially started, but Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette already has met with a few teams and introduced his two latest front office hires to the media. Duquette is looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder who can back up Adam Jones in center and maybe platoon in left. He also wants to "support" the pitching staff and improve the club's defense - which might take us back to that left-handed hitting outfielder. The local media met with...

Thomas and Ferreira added to Orioles' front office

Thomas and Ferreira added to Orioles' front office
DALLAS - The Orioles confirmed today that they've hired former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as a special assistant to executive vice president Dan Duquette, and Fred Ferreiera as executive director of international recruiting. Thomas, 75, built the 1993 Phillies team that won the National League pennant - winning Executive of the Year honors that year - but Ed Wade replaced him as GM after four straight losing seasons. He brings over five decades of experience in professional baseball....

Everything's bigger in Texas (updated)

Everything's bigger in Texas (updated)
The above phrase includes all the rumors that will surface at the Winter Meetings. I'm sitting at my American Airlines gate, waiting to board my 7:05 a.m. flight to Dallas. I'm stuck in a middle seat. We're off to a good start. I chose an airline that also filed for bankruptcy, but it's promised to honor all flights. I'll have to serve peanuts and push the drink cart down the aisle, but it's for a good cause. Executive vice president Dan Duquette, manager Buck Showalter, new scouting...

Ferreira and Blakeley among possible front office hires

Ferreira and Blakeley among possible front office hires
I'm hearing that the Orioles could announce more hires in the front office tomorrow, one day before baseball's Winter Meetings begin in Dallas. The restructuring continues, just as Dan Duquette promised after being hired as executive vice president of baseball operations. According to multiple reports, the Orioles have hired former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as an assistant to Duquette. A deal apparently was reached earlier this week. Another possible hire is Fred Ferreira as...

Giving up pitching for pitching?

Giving up pitching for pitching?
Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie might be the Orioles' biggest bargaining chip this winter. Adam Jones rivals him in that category, but executive vice president Dan Duquette seems intent on holding onto the center fielder and perhaps opening dialogue on a contract extension after the holidays. The Orioles want to acquire a starting pitcher, and they figure that a trade is the best method. But does it make sense to trade a pitcher - especially one who eats up the most innings - for another pitcher? I...

This, that and the other (and more)

This, that and the other (and more)
I wonder whether the Orioles will announce Lee Thomas' hiring as assistant general manager, or whatever title they'll give him, or make us wait until everyone is in place, including scouts and the minor league managers and coaches. My assumption is they'll announce Thomas sooner, since they already confirmed Gary Rajsich as director of amateur scouting. Executive vice president Dan Duquette declined comment on Thomas during yesterday's teleconference. Thomas was the Phillies' general...

Rick Peterson interviews for minor league job

Rick Peterson interviews for minor league job
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette had a busy day today. He completed a trade with the Texas Rangers for backup catcher Taylor Teagarden. He reportedly hired former Philadelphia Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as his assistant. And he interviewed a batch of candidates for the minor league pitching coordinator position that Alan Dunn vacated in June. One of the candidates is former Athletics, Mets and Brewers pitching coach Rick Peterson, who met with Duquette at the...

Hearing from Duquette and Teagarden

Hearing from Duquette and Teagarden
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette declined comment on reports that he's hired former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as a special assistant, but he had plenty to say about new catcher Taylor Teagarden. "Taylor will be 28 at the end of December and he's an established and accomplished major league catcher," Duquette said during a conference call with reporters. "He has an excellent ability to handle a pitching staff. Pitchers like throwing to him, and he's very good at...

Some FanFest information and new front office hire

Some FanFest information and new front office hire
I'll start with the front office. According to multiple reports. the Orioles have hired former Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as an assistant to executive vice president Dan Duquette. I'll get confirmation at 5 p.m., when Duquette and new catcher Taylor Teagarden will be made available to reporters on a conference call. As for FanFest, the Orioles have scheduled the annual event for Jan. 21 at the Baltimore Convention Center. It will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with early entry for...

Pedro Viola removed from 40-man roster

Pedro Viola removed from 40-man roster
The Orioles have designated left-handed reliever Pedro Viola for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for new catcher Taylor Teagarden. The Orioles made the trade official by sending out a press release a few minutes ago. The Rangers acquired minor league pitcher Randy Henry and a player to be named in exchange for Teagarden. Teagarden, who turns 28 on Dec. 21, has appeared in 118 games for the Texas Rangers over the last four seasons, batting .220 (77-for-350) with 16 home runs and...