Revisiting Duquette topics on "Wall to Wall Baseball"

Revisiting Duquette topics on "Wall to Wall Baseball"
What are the chances that Major League Baseball honors Hall of Famer Ernie Banks by instructing every team to play one single-admission doubleheader? Slim and none, I'm sure, but what a gesture. Let's all vow to set aside a day and play two. It doesn't have to be baseball, either. Get as creative as you want. Who am I to judge? Former Orioles executive Jim Duquette, now a baseball analyst on MLB Network Radio, tackled more questions yesterday about his cousin Dan Duquette on "Wall to...

Orioles will remain in good hands

Orioles will remain in good hands
What I am about to write is in no way intended to diminish Dan Duquette's impact on the Orioles since they hired him in November 2011 as executive vice president of baseball operations. Duquette has played a significant role in the club's three consecutive winning seasons and two playoff berths. He's become the master of the depth move and has a knack for plugging holes. His commitment to the international market, though tamed by the franchise's reluctance to spend on big-ticket items, is...

Orioles acquire left-hander Daniel Rodriguez

Orioles acquire left-hander Daniel Rodriguez
The Orioles made a minor deal tonight, acquiring left-hander Daniel Rodriguez from the Braves for cash considerations. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said Rodriguez will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk's roster. He won't receive an invitation to spring training, "but we'll probably take a look at him," Duquette said. Rodriguez, 30, was 6-13 with a 5.04 ERA and 1.464 WHIP in 29 appearances (21 starts) last season for Triple-A Gwinnett. Left-handed hitters posted a .241/.308/.345...

Quick update on Reimold

Quick update on Reimold
It's been a quiet day so far, except for the stampede of shoppers in a panic over the weather forecast. The Orioles were on the verge of signing outfielder Nolan Reimold to a minor league deal last month on the final day of the Winter Meetings, but it didn't get done and other teams joined the mix. I've heard that the Indians are the most aggressive suitor at the moment and may have moved past the Orioles. The Indians want to sign Reimold to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring...

Daily dose of Duquette and wondering who will be most overhyped

Daily dose of Duquette and wondering who will be most overhyped
I woke up this morning, checked my e-mails, text messages and Twitter, and knew that Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette hadn't changed jobs. Why I also checked my Facebook page is beyond me. I must have still been groggy. There may not be any significant updates today on Duquette's situation, but trust me, there will be updates. A day can't pass without them, which is just one of the myriad issues here. Anyone remember that this team still wants to find a left-handed-hitting...

Second dose of Duquette

Second dose of Duquette
This is the story that doesn't end, it just goes on and on my friends... I didn't make it out of York, Pa., without the Twitter world being jolted again by reports that the Orioles are close to settling on compensation from the Blue Jays that would allow executive vice president Dan Duquette to take the job as president and CEO in Toronto. A source close to the situation said "nothing is imminent" and there won't be a resolution before next week. The source added that Duquette's status...

Daily dose of Duquette and Steve Johnson quotes

Daily dose of Duquette and Steve Johnson quotes
Paul Beeston insisted in December that he would remain as Blue Jays president and CEO in 2015. Bob McCown of Sportsnet 590 The Fan in Toronto offered further confirmation yesterday. Does this end the Blue Jays' interest in Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette? Is it safe to go outside again. Not a chance. Duquette still could wind up with Beeston's job in 2016 and beyond if Orioles managing partner Peter G. Angelos agrees to compensation. If the club decides that it's reached the...

Orioles reach agreement with Steve Johnson

Orioles reach agreement with Steve Johnson
The Orioles have reached agreement with pitcher Steve Johnson on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, allowing the Baltimore native to stay home. Johnson, 27, is rehabbing from surgery in September to remove a bone spur behind his right shoulder. He's been pain-free while playing catch. The St. Paul's graduate was bothered this summer by tendinitis in his shoulder that forced him onto the disabled list and limited him to 13 appearances at Triple-A Norfolk. His innings...

Still waiting for Orioles to make their next move

Still waiting for Orioles to make their next move
Orioles manager Buck Showalter flew into Baltimore yesterday, in case you're tracking his every move. Maybe he missed the snow. As I wrote earlier this week, Showalter is going to meet with managing partner Peter G. Angelos about a variety of topics. He's not making a special trip to discuss executive vice president Dan Duquette. However, the Blue Jays' continued interest in Duquette will come up. The word "compensation" figures to be used during their conversation. It would make a good...

Is Rasmus no longer an option for the Orioles? (Rasmus signs for $8 million)

Is Rasmus no longer an option for the Orioles? (Rasmus signs for $8 million)
Free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus is taking a physical in Houston, according to multiple reports, and could be on the verge of signing with the Astros. Rasmus confirmed that he's in Houston, telling FOX 26 sports director Mark Berman (via Twitter), "Jeff (Luhnow) being the scouting director that drafted me, it's pretty enticing." The Orioles were believed to be the frontrunners for Rasmus, a career .246/.313/.438 hitter in six major league seasons. Manager Buck Showalter flew to Rasmus'...

What's going to happen to Gausman?

What's going to happen to Gausman?
With a month remaining before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, there's still plenty of time for new storylines to develop and for me to rank them according to importance or interest. Kevin Gausman will be on my list, no matter how it's framed. Specifically, I wonder whether Gausman will make the rotation, be moved to a crowded bullpen or again pay the price for having a minor league option. Executive vice president Dan Duquette seemed to indicate at the Winter Meetings that...

What's happening this week?

What's happening this week?
We've started a new week and the Orioles are dealing with the same old issues. They want a left-handed hitting outfielder. No, seriously, it's in all the blogs and papers. And the club is trying to conduct business while the Blue Jays pursue Dan Duquette like it's last call at a bar and Major League Baseball is serving as wing man. The Jays are ignoring the ring on Duquette's finger and the Orioles don't like it. This is tampering, right? They reached out to him without permission from the...

Blackmon a consideration for Orioles

Blackmon a consideration for Orioles
The Orioles continue to check the trade market for left-handed hitting outfielders in case they can't sign free agent Colby Rasmus. One potential match could be found in Colorado, where Charlie Blackmon has been made available, according to FOX Sports. From what I've gathered, the Orioles haven't engaged in talks with the Rockies concerning Blackmon, but they're doing their homework on him and could get involved. The Rockies apparently are seeking a starting pitcher in return for Blackmon,...

More on Orioles' search for left-handed hitter and arbitration hearings

More on Orioles' search for left-handed hitter and arbitration hearings
It may be a relatively quiet Saturday for the Orioles compared to yesterday, when they settled with four arbitration-eligible players, exchanged salary figures with six others, outrighted catcher Ryan Lavarnway to Triple-A Norfolk and announced details on the autograph stations at FanFest. Still no word on a left-handed hitting outfielder, however, which remains a top priority. Nori Aoki reached agreement with the Giants yesterday on a deal reportedly worth $4 million in 2015 that includes a...

Duquette on arbitration and more

Duquette on arbitration and more
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he expects the team to have one or two arbitration hearings next month after salary figures were exchanged earlier today. The Orioles haven't gone to a hearing since beating pitcher Brad Bergesen on Feb. 9, 2012. They're 7-0 in cases led by general counsel H. Russell Smouse. Hearing dates run from Feb. 1-21. In case you missed it in a previous blog entry, here are the figures: * Alejandro De Aza submitted $5.650 million and the Orioles...

Orioles outright Lavarnway

Orioles outright Lavarnway
Catcher Ryan Lavarnway has finally cleared waivers. The Orioles announced today that Lavarnway has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk after they designated him for assignment on Jan. 9 to create room for outfielder Delmon Young on the 40-man roster. Lavarnway was claimed off waivers from the Cubs on Dec. 23. He previously was selected off waivers by the Dodgers on Dec. 5 and the Cubs on Dec. 19. Teams kept claiming Lavarnway until this week. Lavarnway, 27, batted .283/.389/.370 in 62 games for...

Orioles announce FanFest autograph schedule (vouchers sell out)

Orioles announce FanFest autograph schedule (vouchers sell out)
The Orioles will have four autograph stations set up at their annual FanFest on Jan. 31 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with early entry for Orioles season plan members at 10 a.m. Autograph vouchers go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at orioles.com/fanfest. The autograph sessions begin at 11:20 a.m., 12:40 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:20 p.m. and 4:40 p.m., and each will include three Orioles players, staff or alumni. Chris Davis, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Manny...

Orioles reach agreement with Matusz (final update)

Orioles reach agreement with Matusz (final update)
The Orioles and left-hander Brian Matusz have reached agreement on a contract for 2015, settling at $3.2 million as the deadline approaches before teams and arbitration-eligible players exchange salary figures. Matusz, who turns 28 next month, made $2.4 million last season and was projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to receive $2.7 million this season. Matusz posted a career-low 3.48 ERA in 63 appearances last season. He pitched to a 1.23 ERA with four walks and 29 strikeouts over his last 27...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
We've reached the point today where arbitration-eligible players and their teams exchange salary figures for 2015 and hope to avoid a hearing next month. You know the dance. They usually split the difference. It's only interesting to me if there's a huge discrepancy. Wake me if the Orioles offer Ryan Flaherty $1 million and he counters at $200 million. Reliever Tommy Hunter settled for $4.65 million earlier this week, leaving 10 Orioles who are eligible for arbitration. Here's another look...

Orioles officially denied 2016 All-Star Game

Orioles officially denied 2016 All-Star Game
The Orioles knew last month that they wouldn't host the 2016 All-Star Game. It became official today at the conclusion of Major League Baseball's quarterly owners meetings. Commissioner Bud Selig announced that San Diego will host the Mid-Summer Classic despite insisting last year that he wanted to continue alternating leagues. The Reds will host the 2015 All-Star Game. The National League could make it three in a row, with the Nationals a possible host in 2017. I've heard that they're...