Notes on managerial hire, Ruiz claim and more

Notes on managerial hire, Ruiz claim and more
LAS VEGAS - The Orioles will choose a manager from among six candidates, according to executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. However, it's possible for two hires to come out of the process. Elias seems to be leaning more toward experience, preferring someone who's managed in the majors, but he also could hire Diamondbacks director of player development Mike Bell in a coaching capacity. Bell, 44, could serve as bench coach or third base coach under Chip Hale, Brandon Hyde or...

For openers, Rays expect bullpenning strategy is here to stay

For openers, Rays expect bullpenning strategy is here to stay
LAS VEGAS - The Rays redefined their pitching strategy last season, and they are getting ready to use the same philosophy in 2019. That is, they will continue to do their bullpenning. "We're going to see it happen," Rays manager Kevin Cash said during a press conference Monday at the Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. "We're going to do it." Why not? It worked. The Rays finished third in the American League East with 90 victories. Most teams would panic if they lose...

For openers, Rays expect bullpenning is here to stay

For openers, Rays expect bullpenning is here to stay
LAS VEGAS - The Rays redefined their pitching strategy last season, and they are getting ready to use the same philosophy in 2019. That is, they will continue to do their bullpenning. "We're going to see it happen," Rays manager Kevin Cash said during a press conference Monday at the Winter Meetings at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. "We're going to do it." Why not? It worked. The Rays finished third in the American League East with 90 victories. Most teams would panic if they lose...

Former Orioles Harold Baines and Lee Smith headed to Cooperstown

Former Orioles Harold Baines and Lee Smith headed to Cooperstown
LAS VEGAS - The first nugget of news has rolled through baseball's Winter Meetings this afternoon at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. And it picked up a couple of former Orioles. Longtime outfielder/designated hitter Harold Baines and reliever Lee Smith have been chosen for induction in the Hall of Fame by the Today's Game Era Committee. The announcement was made a few minutes ago on MLB Network. Six former major league players, three managers and one executive comprised the list of...

Urrutia's tweet, Hall of Fame veterans and Ohlman's new team

Urrutia's tweet, Hall of Fame veterans and Ohlman's new team
Since I've been covering the Orioles fulltime in 1997, there haven't been many feel-good stories that can top Henry Urrutia's climb to the majors. His defection from Cuba after a failed attempt, the struggle to get from Haiti to Miami, his acclimation to life in the U.S. - including how he crashed through the language barrier - the walk-off home run against the Mets and the tears that followed as he talked about giving the ball to his infant son. Urrutia isn't feeling good these days. His...