Orioles claim Alex Hassan off waivers

Orioles claim Alex Hassan off waivers
The Orioles put in a waiver claim on outfielder Alex Hassan earlier this week and lost him to the Athletics. Today the Orioles got him. The team announced that it claimed Hassan off waivers and added him to the 40-man roster, which now contains 35 players as we approach the midnight deadline. Hassan, a 20th-round pick of the Red Sox in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Duke University, made his major league debut this summer and went 1-for-8 with five strikeouts. The A's claimed him on...

Davis talks about suspension on radio station, another minor league signing

Davis talks about suspension on radio station, another minor league signing
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis declined to speak with reporters following Game 4 of the American League Championship Series in Kansas City, a loss that completed the Royals' sweep. However, he spoke about his 25-game suspension this week during an appearance on a Baltimore radio station. Interviewed on WRBS-FM, a contemporary Christian music station also known as 95.1 SHINE-FM, Davis expressed regret over his suspension for using Adderall without a therapeutic use exemption. "I haven't...

Notes on Young, Jimenez, De Aza, minors and more

Notes on Young, Jimenez, De Aza, minors and more
The Orioles remain open to re-signing free agent outfielder Delmon Young, who evolved into baseball's best pinch-hitter this season. However, Young is looking for a two-year deal, which doesn't figure to provide a match. If Young returns to Baltimore, the agreement likely would cover only the 2015 season. Young, naturally, will seek a lengthier contract after auditioning for the Orioles at their minicamp in January and settling for a minor league deal. Young batted .302/.337/.442 with 11...

Orioles re-sign Almanzar and Jones, sign seven others to minor league deals

Orioles re-sign Almanzar and Jones, sign seven others to minor league deals
The Orioles are taking care of minor league business today, re-signing infielder Michael Almanzar and left-hander Chris Jones, and signing seven players from outside the organization. Also signed were left-handers Frank Gailey and Ronan Pacheco, infielder/outfielder Derrik Gibson, shortstop Ozzie Martinez and right-handers Tim Gustafson, Kenn Kasparek and Mikey O'Brien. I wrote about Martinez on Monday. His signing became official today. Gibson, 24, may be the most intriguing. The Red Sox...

Should Orioles consider dealing Norris?

Should Orioles consider dealing Norris?
Six starters for five spots in the rotation. The math still hasn't changed, no matter how often I check the figures. No matter how often I use the calculator on my iPhone. No matter how often I remove my shoes and count on my own. The Orioles are always in the market for pitching, but they most certainly will listen to offers for their starters. Of course, that includes Kevin Gausman. No one is untouchable. But they'd have to be blown away by a proposal. It would have to be so obscene, it...

Orioles re-sign Drake

Orioles re-sign Drake
The Orioles are keeping pitcher Oliver Drake in the organization, signing him today to a major league contract. Drake, who has options remaining, became a minor league free agent following the season and drew enough interest that the Orioles inked him to a major league deal. He's added to the 40-man roster for the second time in his professional career. Drake, chosen in the 43rd round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of the Naval Academy, went 2-4 with a 3.08 ERA and an Eastern...

Duke deal must make Miller want more

Duke deal must make Miller want more
If the floor seems to be vibrating beneath your feet, it's just reliever Andrew Miller jumping up and down. The guy is 6-foot-7. The tremors are going to travel. The White Sox announced today that they signed left-handed reliever Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million contract. Duke, 31, will be paid $4.5 million in 2015, $5 million in 2016 and $5.5 million in 2017, according to the team's press release. By the way, kudos to the White Sox for announcing the terms of the contract and not...

A sizzling day in the hot stove season, more on Miller and wondering about Wieters

A sizzling day in the hot stove season, more on Miller and wondering about Wieters
The temperature soared on baseball's hot stove yesterday with news that the Marlins signed Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year extension worth $325 million, the largest contract in the history of sports, the Blue Jays signed free agent catcher Russell Martin and the Braves traded outfielder Jason Heyward to the Cardinals for pitcher Shelby Miller. Pitchers Jordan Walden and Tyrell Jenkins also were involved in the deal, but Heyward-for-Miller was enough to grab the attention of the baseball...

Orioles sign infielder Ozzie Martinez

Orioles sign infielder Ozzie Martinez
Searching for middle infield depth, the Orioles have signed Ozzie Martinez to a minor league contract. A team official confirmed the transaction. Martinez, 26, batted .288/.340/.350 with 11 doubles and two triples in 78 games with Triple-A Gwinnett in the Braves organization. He also played in 33 games at Double-A Chattanooga in the Dodgers system. Martinez, an 11th-round pick by the Marlins in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, has played shortstop, second base, third base and the outfield in...

Nothing new with Markakis over the weekend

Nothing new with Markakis over the weekend
The weekend passed without the Orioles reaching agreement with right fielder Nick Markakis on a four-year contract. It doesn't appear that the two sides have additional talks scheduled at the moment. Of course, that can change in a hurry, but it's pretty quiet. Nothing was arranged heading into last week's general managers' meetings in Phoenix, but Markakis' agent, Jamie Murphy, and Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette spoke on Wednesday. The lines of communication can open up...

Graham on Alvarez: "He could help in the big leagues next year"

Graham on Alvarez: "He could help in the big leagues next year"
While I fully expect Nick Markakis to be playing right field for the Orioles on opening day, I don't mind revisting the Dariel Alvarez question. Again, no. He isn't going to break camp with the Orioles in 2015. He wouldn't be Markakis' replacement if negotiations fell apart. Will Alvarez be in the majors at some point next season? I really like his chances. So does Brian Graham, the Orioles' director of player development, and his opinion carries a lot more weight. Alvarez, signed to an...

Decision pending on De Aza

Decision pending on De Aza
With all the focus on re-signing free agents Nick Markakis, Nelson Cruz and Andrew Miller - listed in order of probability - it's easy to forget that the Orioles need to decide which arbitration-eligible players are tendered contracts for 2015. Let's start with "the vast majority" and work our way up. Actually, let's start with a reminder of the 11 players, including their salaries this season and MLBTradeRumors.com's projected salaries for 2015. Alejandro De Aza: $4.25 million/$5.9...

Burnett off the board

Burnett off the board
One day after shooting down the A.J. Burnett rumor, I can pass along that the right-hander has agreed to terms with the Pirates. The news has been confirmed by multiple media outlets. Burnett's one-year deal with the Pirates is for $8.5 million, according to reports. He turned down a $12.75 million option with the Phillies in order to sign with a contender. We now live in a world where the Pirates are contenders again. The Orioles didn't make Burnett an offer, according to team officials. The...

Checking on last winter's free agent targets and rumors

Checking on last winter's free agent targets and rumors
Now that the general managers' meetings are done, we can look forward to my version of Hell Week, more commonly known as baseball's Winter Meetings. They're so important, we use uppercase letters. The meetings will be held next month in San Diego. Beautiful weather, but it hardly matters when you spend all five days inside a hotel. You sit in the workroom, you walk around the lobby, you meet each day with Orioles officials and you wait for agent Scott Boras to make an appearance. The Rule...

Cruz and Jones receive votes for AL MVP

Cruz and Jones receive votes for AL MVP
Angels outfielder Mike Trout ran away with the BBWAA's Most Valuable Player award in the American League, the announcement coming tonight on MLB Network. Trout is no longer a bridesmaid or baseball's version of Susan Lucci. It wasn't enough to be nominated. He finally won - the 10th player in baseball history to be a unanimous selection. Trout batted .287/.377/.561 with 39 doubles, nine triples, 36 home runs, 111 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 157 games. He did lead the AL in strikeouts with...

A few afternoon notes

A few afternoon notes
More awards will be announced tonight on MLB Network with the unveiling of the Most Valuable Players in both leagues. The Angels' Mike Trout, the Tigers' Victor Martinez and the Indians' Michael Brantley are the American League finalists. Trout is expected to win handily. I'll check whether Orioles outfielders Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz received any votes. That's the assumption. Jones finished sixth in 2012 and 13th in 2013. Cruz hasn't crashed the MVP party, but 40 home runs should get...

Update on Wieters' rehab

Update on Wieters' rehab
Matt Wieters had his right elbow examined earlier today by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, and the news remains positive as the Orioles catcher continues his rehabilitation. "It went well," Wieters said tonight. "He said everything looked good. Just keep progressing." Andrews examined Wieters in Pensacola, Fla. He also has an office in Birmingham, Ala. Wieters underwent surgery on June 17 to replace a ligament in his right elbow, shave down a bone spur and transpose a...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The general managers' meetings conclude today in Phoenix and it's doubtful that any team will trump the Tigers' signing of free agent Victor Martinez to a four-year, $68 million deal. Martinez turns 36 in December. Nelson Cruz turns 35 in July and he wants a five-year deal. Four years may not be out of the question, but it's not likely to come from the Orioles. They just aren't comfortable going beyond three years for Cruz. I won't bore you with all the reasons again. Executive vice...

Orioles met with Markakis' agent at GM meetings

Orioles met with Markakis' agent at GM meetings
The Orioles re-opened contract talks with the agent for right fielder Nick Markakis this afternoon during the general managers' meetings in Phoenix. Executive vice president Dan Duquette met with Markakis' representative, Jamie Murphy, one day after sitting down with Diego Bentz, the agent for outfielder Nelson Cruz. Duquette didn't indicate that a deal with Markakis is close, but it's still expected to be completed after a lull in conversations that lasted more than a week. "We've...

Duquette updates negotiations and more on MLB Network

Duquette updates negotiations and more on MLB Network
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette remains hopeful that the Orioles can re-sign outfielders Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis, and he hasn't dismissed the possibility of retaining highly coveted left-hander Andrew Miller. Duquette met with Cruz and agent Diego Bentz yesterday at the general managers' meetings in Phoenix and could sit down with Markakis' representative, Jamie Murphy, later today. Nothing is scheduled at the moment, I've heard, but there are plenty of hours left before...