Conway on Lucas: "He gave us a lot out of the bullpen"

Conway on Lucas: "He gave us a lot out of the bullpen"
The non-tender deadline in 2019 brought a trade that wasn't popular with Orioles fans who still vented over the decision a week earlier to place infielder Jonathan Villar on waivers. Villar wasn't coming back with an estimated arbitration raise pushing his salary to $10.4 million. The Orioles were motivated to move him for the right return, which turned into left-hander Easton Lucas. "It's hard to let him go, but we've got to keep an eye on our strategic objectives, which prioritize the...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The Pirates traded starter Jameson Taillon to the Yankees yesterday, surrendering a pitcher who underwent two Tommy John surgeries after becoming the second-overall pick in the 2010 draft. They received four prospects in return. There's a tie to the Orioles beyond his arrival in the American League East. Pittsburgh's choice in the draft came down to Taillon or prep shortstop Manny Machado, with the Orioles selecting third. Scouting director Joe Jordan would have pounced on Taillon if the...

Notes on Villar, spin rates and more

Notes on Villar, spin rates and more
Today we're reviewing a few stories from recent days for further discussion as we move closer to the start of February and we wonder if that will indeed be the month that spring training starts. Reunion anyone?: In this entry a few days ago, we wondered if Jonathan Villar could reunite with the Orioles and this time become the regular at shortstop? The club needs to replace José Iglesias, who had a big 2020 season. The last time we saw Villar in 2019 in Baltimore, he had a pretty big season...

A Jonathan Villar reunion, anyone?

A Jonathan Villar reunion, anyone?
There were some frustrated Orioles fans when the club traded infielder Jonathan Villar on Dec. 2, 2019. The club was not prepared to pay him a projected $10.4 million through arbitration, even coming off his strong 2019 season. So he was dealt to the Miami Marlins for minor league lefty Easton Lucas. The trade doesn't look so bad today, even though Lucas has yet to throw in a game on the O's farm. Villar produced an OPS+ of 109 for the 2019 Orioles, which tied for the second-best of his...

Taking a few wrong turns

Taking a few wrong turns
Trying to predict moves in an unpredictable world is advised only if you're not putting down money. And I'm really talking about the baseball offseason. I get my share right. I also get some wrong. And sometimes I'm just a little surprised. I thought the Orioles would have no interest in bringing back Jonathan Villar, simply choosing to move on from a player they traded in December 2019, but they've spoken to his agent. A reunion remains a possibility. Villar obviously could play shortstop...

Orioles notes on minicamp and free agent possibilities

Orioles notes on minicamp and free agent possibilities
The Orioles are proceeding as though their pitchers and catchers will report to spring training on Feb. 16. As though there will be a full slate of workouts and exhibition games, followed by opening day on April 1 in Boston. They can't let the unpredictability of a pandemic influence their plans. Adjustments will be made if necessary. In the meantime, it's been deemed safe to hold a minicamp from Monday-Wednesday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, with players and coaches following in-season...

Will Orioles finally play Marlins tonight?

Will Orioles finally play Marlins tonight?
The Orioles have a fresher bullpen today and renewed concerns about the Marlins arriving at their ballpark. Whether or not they'd admit to it. They're trusting the extensive safety measures that have reduced the level of worry beyond how a team forced to shut down due to a COVID-19 outbreak could compromise them. Welcome to Camden Yards. Just don't touch anything. The Marlins are piecing together their roster via waiver claims and trades after a bus transported the quarantined group from...

Post-Winter Meetings edition: "10 questions for O's fans"

Post-Winter Meetings edition: "10 questions for O's fans"
The Winter Meetings have come and gone. The Orioles added pitcher Marcos Diplán on waivers from Detroit. They added pitchers Brandon Bailey and Michael Rucker in the Rule 5 draft. More additions are coming certainly. So it's time for a post Winter Meetings edition of 10 questions. Answer one question or all 10. Provide short answers or long. Your call. Respond to other readers. Here's are today's questions: 1) Which Rule 5 pitcher - Bailey or Rucker - has a better chance to make the team...

Elias on trading Bundy, the return and what could follow

Elias on trading Bundy, the return and what could follow
The Orioles aren't waiting until next week's Winter Meetings to get busy in the trade market. Two days after sending infielder Jonathan Villar to the Marlins rather than non-tendering him, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias dealt starting pitcher Dylan Bundy to the Angels for four minor league pitchers. Who's next? Elias obtained right-handers Isaac Mattson, Kyle Bradish, Zach Peek and Kyle Brnovich in exchange for Bundy, the fourth overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player...

Orioles' trade approach and more on Lucas and Rogers

Orioles' trade approach and more on Lucas and Rogers
The Winter Meetings that officially begin Monday in San Diego are going to be filled with the usual trade and free agent rumors that flood the hotel lobby and cause sportswriters to nearly spill their Starbucks while rushing to get confirmation. Here's what you need to remember about the Orioles: Whatever deals are discussed with rival executives most likely will involve lower-level minor leaguers. I wrote about the Orioles' acquisition aim at the July deadline, how it wasn't an aberration...

He wasn't non-tendered, but Jonathan Villar is no longer an Oriole

He wasn't non-tendered, but Jonathan Villar is no longer an Oriole
So, in the end, the Orioles found a trade partner for infielder Jonathan Villar. In a bit of a surprise, it was the Miami Marlins. Miami acquired Villar last night and sent to the Orioles 23-year-old minor league lefty Easton Lucas. Drafted in round 14 in June out of Pepperdine, Lucas went 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA, pitching in one game in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and mostly in the short-season Single-A New York-Penn League. Over 34 2/3 innings, he walked nine, fanned 41, allowed just three...

Taking another look at Bleier signing and Villar's departure

Taking another look at Bleier signing and Villar's departure
The next order of baseball business is behind the Orioles. They tendered contracts yesterday to five of their seven arbitration-eligible players, signed reliever Richard Bleier and traded infielder Jonathan Villar to the Marlins. The 40-man roster holds 38 players, leaving room for multiple selections in the Dec. 12 Rule 5 draft in San Diego. Coming up are five days at the Winter Meetings if you count Sunday's travel. The race to catch return flights on Thursday begins late in the...

Elias on trade, tenders and more

Elias on trade, tenders and more
The Orioles were resigned to letting infielder Jonathan Villar walk away earlier today with nothing in return until trade interest picked up during the afternoon and led to a trade with the Marlins. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias stated on a conference call that conversations with other teams picked up three to four hours prior to the 8 p.m. deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players. The Marlins offered young left-hander Easton Lucas and a deal was...

Bleier agrees to terms (Villar traded to Marlins)

Bleier agrees to terms (Villar traded to Marlins)
The Orioles are down to six unsigned arbitration-eligible players after agreeing to terms with reliever Richard Bleier. It's going to be a busy day in the warehouse. Bleier figured to be the first domino to fall, especially with significant progress made over the weekend. Still unresolved, however, are the statuses of infielders Jonathan Villar and Hanser Alberto, infielder/outfielder Trey Mancini, starter Dylan Bundy and relievers Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro. Bundy is a strong candidate...

The Mo and Mancini Show was again pretty good

The Mo and Mancini Show was again pretty good
Sometimes pro athletes do special things for kids and it's great. Sometimes those players may be in and out their lives quickly and that's fine too. They did something great and it usually has lasting impact. Sometimes it goes further for the player and the kid. Sometimes much further. To see evidence of that close to home, we need look no further than Trey Mancini and 13-year-old Orioles and Ravens superfan Mo Gaba. Their friendship is genuine and lasting. They're pretty good together, as...

Deadline arriving to tender contracts to arbitration-eligibles

Deadline arriving to tender contracts to arbitration-eligibles
The Orioles are plunging into a new week with Dylan Bundy still on the roster and a candidate to be traded or non-tendered. The deadline for the latter is 8 p.m. tonight. There are seven arbitration-eligible players on the club, including reliever Richard Bleier, who's going to be tendered a contract. I'm hearing that significant progress was made yesterday on a new deal to avoid arbitration. He'll be back in the bullpen. Bleier made $572,500 this season and MLBTradeRumors.com projected that...

After strong 2019, Villar's time in Baltimore may be ending

After strong 2019, Villar's time in Baltimore may be ending
It sure looks like Jonathan Villar's time with the Orioles is coming to an end. With seemingly little interest via trade, Villar was put on waivers yesterday. Any team can claim him, but they would also inherit his arbitration status and potential salary of $10 million or more for 2020. The Orioles' decision appears to be that Villar is too pricey for a rebuilding club and they are about to officially cut ties with a player who had his best season last year. Villar hit .274/.339/.453 with 33...

More on Villar's placement on outright waivers

More on Villar's placement on outright waivers
Jonathan Villar was placed on outright waivers yesterday and he's still on them. No team has claimed him. No team seems willing to pay whatever he's going to make in arbitration, a salary that's expected to reach $10 million and maybe more. What's left to say about the situation? The Orioles are trying hard to trade him, as I've reported. They were in an aggressive mode at the July deadline, with the Cubs one of the teams engaged in talks, but no one took the bait. Executive vice...

Taking another quizzical look at the Orioles

Taking another quizzical look at the Orioles
What's worse than the pop quiz I handed out on a Sunday? How about one around the holidays? This is what happens when you attend a school with no days off. You knew the risk. The first item crossed off the shopping list will be: Starting pitcher Reliever Middle infielder None of the above The opening day third baseman will be: Rio Ruiz Hanser Alberto Someone who isn't on the current roster None of the above Richie Martin will begin the year: At shortstop In a utility role At Triple-A Norfolk...

It's time for another Orioles Q&A

It's time for another Orioles Q&A
Don't you love it when there is not one specific topic to discuss about the Orioles but many? I know I do, so it's time for another Orioles question-and-answer session. You provide a question on anything about the club - the majors or minors, potential additions or subtractions, the upcoming Rule 5 draft - whatever you've got and I and our readers will provide some responses. For instance, the Orioles have seven arbitration-eligible players, headed up by infielder Jonathan Villar. Readers...