A few morning notes

A few morning notes
While wondering if there's a way to turn ignored calls and text messages into cash ... The Rangers failed last night to become the first road team to win Game 7 of the World Series since the Pirates in 1979. Sorry for the reminder. Also sorry to see Michael Gonzalez limp off the mound with an injury. He won't win many popularity contests in Baltimore, but he's a standup guy who truly feels bad that he didn't pitch better with the Orioles, and that fans didn't get to see him at his best...

With Tatum claimed, backup catcher also needed (more moves)

With Tatum claimed, backup catcher also needed (more moves)
The Orioles lost their backup catcher when the Houston Astros claimed Craig Tatum off waivers. Tatum began the season at Triple-A Norfolk and batted .195 in 31 games with the Orioles. He had three doubles and seven RBIs. Tatum beat out Chad Moeller for the backup job in 2010 and batted .281 in 43 games, with four doubles and nine RBIs, but the Orioles made Jake Fox the backup coming out of spring training this year. Tatum made it back to Baltimore during the summer because he was a defensive...

Changes coming to O's cap and jersey

Changes coming to O's cap and jersey
Since so many fans have been asking, I wanted to pass along news that the Orioles' caps for next season will include a variation of the cartoon bird, which will replace the "ornithologically correct" version presently worn. According to a source, the logo won't replicate the birds from the 1970 and 1983 caps, but it will be a variation of the two, taking certain qualities of both to create the new cartoon image. These caps will be worn as part of the regular uniform, rather than being an...

Dipoto off the board?

Dipoto off the board?
Diamondbacks executive Jerry Dipoto reportedly will become the next general manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Hopefully, his first order of business will be to shorten the team's name. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal tweeted the following a few minutes ago: "Sources: DiPoto to be named #Angels GM" SI.com's Jon Heyman followed that tweet with a confirmation of his own. Heyman also is hearing that Tony LaCava is "very likely" to be named the Orioles' president of baseball...

This, that and the other (and more)

This, that and the other (and more)
I predicted that the Rangers would win the World Series in six games. I twice came within a strike last night of finally getting something right in the postseason. Was last night's game, won by the Cardinals in 11 innings on David Freese's walkoff home run, the greatest in World Series history? Did it top Carlton Fisk? Bill Mazeroski? Kirk Gibson? BIll Buckner? The Jack Morris/John Smoltz scoreless duel? Am I missing a more obvious choice? As long as I'm firing questions at you, does...

Stockstill interviewing Friday for GM job

Stockstill interviewing Friday for GM job
In a surprising twist, Orioles director of player development John Stockstill will interview Friday for the position of president of baseball operations. An industry source confirmed the news a few minutes ago. Stockstill will be the fourth candidate interviewed, and the first from within the organization, following Jerry Dipoto, Tony LaCava and De Jon Watson. It's possible that Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine is contacted after the World Series. Stockstill, 51, has been with the Orioles...

Two names to consider for scouting director

Two names to consider for scouting director
Repeating the intended order of hires, the Orioles are expected to introduce their new president of baseball operations before announcing Joe Jordan's replacement as scouting director and Brian Graham's expected promotion to director of player development, and revealing which two coaches will complete manager Buck Showalter's staff. If Diamondbacks executive Jerry Dipoto is chosen as Andy MacPhail's replacement, a possible hire as scouting director could be Indians national crosschecker...

Radison among minor league hires

Radison among minor league hires
I wrote a few days ago that the Orioles have hired a few minor league coaches for next season. I've heard that one new addition will be former Nationals first base coach Dan Radison. Though assignments haven't been made official, Radison could serve as hitting instructor at Double-A Bowie, with Denny Hocking perhaps moving up to Triple-A Norfolk. Radison was fired by the Nationals on July 1 after Davey Johnson replaced Jim Riggleman as manager. Trent Jewett replaced Radison, who is close...

Second (or third) look at second base

Second (or third) look at second base
We've debated which starting pitchers are realistic targets for the Orioles. We've kicked around the idea of the Orioles making a run at Prince Fielder or Michael Cuddyer or any hitter with a pulse and a productive bat. We've argued whether Adam Jones should be traded while his value is high and his free agent year is still a little ways in the distance. With yesterday being devoid of GM news - and non-update updates give me a full body rash - I figured to revisit the potential vacancy at...

Orioles and Angels take different paths in GM search

Orioles and Angels take different paths in GM search
As you know, the Orioles will interview Dodgers executive De Jon Watson tomorrow morning, making him the third candidate to fly into Baltimore. Jerry Dipoto and Tony LaCava beat him here. The Angels also are in the midst of a GM search, but I don't see many similarities in the two lists. The Angels also have targeted Dipoto, and both teams could contact Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine once the World Series ends. Andrew Friedman (Rays) and Damon Oppenheimer (Yankees) already have met with...

Watson interviewing Wednesday

Watson interviewing Wednesday
The Orioles will interview Dodgers assistant general manager De Jon Watson on Wednesday for the position of president of baseball operations. Watson will fly into Baltimore tomorrow night and become the third candidate to interview for the job vacated by Andy MacPhail, whose contract expires Oct. 31. Watson, 45, is responsible for the Dodgers' player development and oversees Latin American player development. He served previously as scouting director with the Reds and Indians. I talked to...

Just another manic Monday

Just another manic Monday
I don't have a whole lot for you this morning. Maybe something breaks later in the day, but right now it's more of the same. The Orioles have interviewed Jerry Dipoto and Tony LaCava for the job of president of baseball operations. The Marlins denied them permission to contact Dan Jennings. They're expected to interview Dodgers executive De Jon Watson this week. Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine is a possibility after the World Series. In that order. They still need a scouting director...

Pressing players for answers

Pressing players for answers
I'm nominating Dan Lozano for "Happiest Man in the World" today. I'll give you 10 seconds to figure out why. OK, time's up. Lozano is the agent who represents Albert Pujols. Cha-ching! Pujols set a World Series record last night with 14 total bases. He joined Babe Ruth (twice) and Reggie Jackson as the only players to hit three home runs in the same game. I'm also pretty sure he's the only player to drive a ball into another state without using his car. Apparently, this guy will do...

Orioles receive permission to interview Watson

Orioles receive permission to interview Watson
The Dodgers granted permission today for the Orioles to interview assistant general manager De Jon Watson for the position of president of baseball operations. Watson will be the third candidate interviewed, following the Diamondbacks' Jerry Dipoto and the Blue Jays' Tony LaCava. The Marlins denied the Orioles permission to interview Dan Jennings. I wrote about Watson yesterday and passed along this report from mlbtraderumors. Watson's background in player development and scouting make...

Cuddyer for hire

Cuddyer for hire
In case you missed it, former Orioles infielder (and part-time catcher) Lenn Sakata was named manager at high Single-A Modesto of the California League. The Nuts, as they're called, are a Rockies affiliate. Sakata had been serving as hitting coach at low Single-A Asheville. The Nuts have two mascots: Al the Almond and Wally the Walnut. I'm not making this up. Wouldn't it be nice if Tippy Martinez threw out the first pitch, with Sakata behind the plate, for Modesto's home opener next...

So what about the bullpen?

So what about the bullpen?
Clutch comeback by the Rangers last night. Down 1-0 in the top of the ninth, they rallied for two runs and returned home with the World Series deadlocked 1-1. Both runs scored on sacrifice flies. It's not the sexiest way to win a game, but it worked. Great baserunning by the Rangers in the ninth. They were alert, and they were fearless. The Orioles' bullpen will be tweaked again this winter. I don't know about a complete overhaul, but there will be changes. It's the norm. And in...

All's quiet on GM front

All's quiet on GM front
Here's a quick update on the Orioles' search for a new GM/president of baseball operations: Nothing has changed. I told you it was going to be quick (that's what ... never mind.) I'm told that the Orioles don't have any other interviews scheduled at the present time, but they're not going to stop at two candidates. Other executives will be brought in, though I don't expect a stampede to the warehouse. The Orioles are still expected to seek permission from the Dodgers to interview...

Should the Orioles wait for their Prince Fielder to come?

Should the Orioles wait for their Prince Fielder to come?
My favorite tweet from last night, courtesy of @TheBillWalton: Ron Washington/Cocaine, Tony La Russa/DWI, Mark McGwire/Steroids. The coaching staff at the World Series looks like a Lohan family reunion. Bodog posted odds on which team will sign first baseman Prince Fielder this winter. The Orioles made the list, which reads as follows: Chicago Cubs 3/1 Washington Nationals 5/1 Toronto Blue Jays 5/1 Baltimore Orioles ...

Russell staying in dugout, Kirby could change roles

Russell staying in dugout, Kirby could change roles
If the Orioles stick to their plan, they won't announce their coaching staff until after hiring their president of baseball operations. Though they don't anticipate any objections, they'd still rather allow their new executive to give final approval on manager Buck Showalter's staff. The Orioles must make two hires, though the job descriptions aren't settled. John Russell will remain as bench coach, which leaves a vacancy at third base following Willie Randolph's departure. However,...

More organizational chatter

More organizational chatter
Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava is in town today to interview for the job vacated by Andy MacPhail. I doubt that the Orioles have whittled their list down to two candidates, but they couldn't go wrong with LaCava or Jerry Dipoto, the Diamondbacks' senior vice president of scouting and player development. Everyone I've talked to in baseball raves about them and thinks they would be smart hires. Dipoto also will interview for the Angels' GM job, according to various reports....