A look at the future of pitching development for the Orioles

A look at the future of pitching development for the Orioles
The Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds (86-44) have won a lot of games this year as a well-rounded team that can beat you many ways. But pitching has been the constant. They lead the 14-team South Atlantic League in ERA, WHIP and strikeouts. It's success like this at Delmarva, where they have a pitching coach in his first year in the Orioles organization, that the O's brass hopes they can build on. This is the start of producing what general manager Mike Elias has called the "elite talent...

Orioles replacing Alvarez in GCL (and other notes)

Orioles replacing Alvarez in GCL (and other notes)
With less than a week remaining until the start of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League season, the Orioles are in the process of naming a new pitching coach after removing Wilson Alvarez. I've heard that Wilson was let go Thursday after six seasons with the GCL team. Minor league pitching coordinator Chris Holt is in Sarasota as the temporary replacement for Alvarez until the new hire is announced. Former Orioles pitcher and bullpen coach Alan Mills is beginning his first season as manager at...

Means, Fry and tonight's Orioles lineup

Means, Fry and tonight's Orioles lineup
The bullpen bond that John Means has formed with Paul Fry will be interrupted at least temporarily when he moves into the rotation Tuesday night against the Athletics at Camden Yards. Means doesn't know how long he'll be starting. He replaced TBD on Tuesday, a major league career consisting of four relief appearances about to take another turn. Maybe it's one and done, with Dan Straily replacing him, or manager Brandon Hyde could give him another shot. A team in need of dependable relief is...

Orioles announce coaching staff for 2019 season

Orioles announce coaching staff for 2019 season
The Orioles have unveiled their coaching staff for the 2019 season under new manager Brandon Hyde and it includes one holdover from last summer. Howie Clark returns as assistant hitting coach after the Orioles offered him a minor league contract following the expiration of his previous deal on Oct. 31. He'll work with new hitting coach Don Long, who spent the past five seasons with the Reds and replaces Scott Coolbaugh. Tim Cossins has been named major league field coordinator and catching...

Constructing Orioles roster a gradual process

Constructing Orioles roster a gradual process
While the baseball world balances on the edge of its seats waiting for Manny Machado and Bryce Harper to sign their monstrous contracts, which will reduce the media's baseball chatter by about 75 percent, the Orioles are quietly researching ways to fill out their roster. Much of the heavy lifting outside of it is done. Two big front office hires have been completed in executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and assistant Sig Mejdal, the latter responsible for building up the...

Elias influence already heavy in Orioles organization

Elias influence already heavy in Orioles organization
The appeal of bringing in Mike Elias as the head of baseball operations for the Orioles centered on his deep background in scouting and player development. His experience working the international market. His familiarity with analytics and an unwavering belief that they must be incorporated in today's game in order to be competitive. The man has been entrusted with a variety of responsibilities over the years in the Cardinals and Astros organizations, and his fingerprints will cover the...

Maduro on Perez: "I think it's an outstanding hire"

Maduro on Perez: "I think it's an outstanding hire"
The hiring of Koby Perez as the Orioles' senior director of international scouting enabled executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias to reach further into his professional past, all the way to his Cardinals days in their scouting department. Elias also has brought in assistant Sig Mejdal, who worked with him in St. Louis and Houston, and minor league pitching coordinator Chris Holt, formerly the Astros' assistant pitching coordinator. If anyone needs additional information on...

Orioles hiring Tim Cossins for coaching staff (updated)

Orioles hiring Tim Cossins for coaching staff (updated)
New Orioles manager Brandon Hyde checked with the Cubs, his most recent employer, to gauge the availability of their coaches and minor league personnel as he scrambled to assemble a staff in Baltimore. He's succeeded in prying away one member of the organization. Tim Cossins is joining the Orioles with the responsibility of working with the catchers, per an industry source. His exact title isn't known, but he's going to be one of the coaches under Hyde. Former bench coach John Russell had...

Roster rumors rare for Orioles

Roster rumors rare for Orioles
Orioles fans aren't likely to find a new player under their tree on Christmas morning. The stocking stuffers won't include a pitcher or outfielder. Dump bourbon in your egg nog - unless rum or brandy is your preference - and stay patient. Not a creature is stirring, but there's going to be roster activity by spring training. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias issued the warning at the Winter Meetings. Not the one about reports being "overzealous" and "inaccurate."...

Recapping the Winter Meetings on the final day

Recapping the Winter Meetings on the final day
LAS VEGAS - The Orioles are on the clock this morning with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft. Their contingent at the Winter Meetings will be on a plane later in the day. A review of the business conducted so far includes claiming third baseman Rio Ruiz off waivers from the Braves and losing pitcher Ryan Meisinger to the Cardinals. And, yes, the decision on a new manager that should be announced by next week. There wasn't much of a buzz here related to the Orioles, as so many people in the...

O's will choose manager from six candidates (and other notes)

O's will choose manager from six candidates (and other notes)
LAS VEGAS - Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias confirmed this afternoon that he's conducted six in-person interviews for the managerial position and hopes to name a replacement for Buck Showalter later this month. Elias, meeting with the media for about 20 minutes inside his suite at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, said the process is "pretty far" along and there won't be a second round of interviews. He has all of the information that he needs. Though Elias...

Mills and Clark remain under contract with Orioles

Mills and Clark remain under contract with Orioles
As we move closer to the start of the Winter Meetings, we can rehash the items on the Orioles' shopping list that don't include a new manager and a coaching staff. The need for a middle infielder, with shortstop seemingly the preference. Veteran pitchers who could be plugged into the rotation or bullpen, because no team really has enough. A veteran catcher after Caleb Joseph was non-tendered. Negotiations with Joseph didn't die after the deadline passed. Do the Orioles need to find another...

Rajsich won't return to Orioles in 2019

Rajsich won't return to Orioles in 2019
The sweeping changes within the Orioles organization have impacted director of scouting Gary Rajsich. Rajsich won't return to the Orioles next season, according to multiple sources. The decision was made before his contract expired on Friday. New executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias is in charge of making hires within each department, and scouting is undergoing a major overhaul. Former executive vice president Dan Duquette hired Rajsich in November 2011 as one of his first...