Hyde: "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we have"

Hyde: "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we have"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't suffering from a shortage of infielders in camp. Major league and minor league deals. Guys come off the 40-man roster, clear waivers and receive invites. Bringing in Alcides Escobar raises the infield total to 14 and most of them can man the middle. No one has been anointed as the starter at third base, shortstop or second base. "I think it keeps the competition going in camp," said manager Brandon Hyde. "I'm excited about the mix of middle infielders we...

More on the Escobar signing

More on the Escobar signing
SARASOTA, Fla. - The arrival of veteran infielder Alcides Escobar in Orioles camp, whether today or by Monday's first full-squad workout, will require him to field questions along with ground balls. Why the Orioles, who are in a full rebuild that's been made public and can turn off a player whose career is winding down? Is it because of the late date, or maybe an opportunity that can't be found in other organizations? Is he competing for a starting job in the middle infield or third base, or...

Orioles sign Alcides Escobar to minor league deal

Orioles sign Alcides Escobar to minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made a move this afternoon that intensified the shortstop and utility competition. Alcides Escobar agreed to terms on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training as the first full-squad workout unfolds on Monday. He can earn $700,000 if playing for the Orioles. The rebuild doesn't preclude executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias from bringing a 32-year-old infielder into the fold. "Alcides Escobar will add a great veteran option to...

Susac on second chance with Orioles

Susac on second chance with Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rain has been falling all morning in Sarasota and it could impact the first workout for Orioles pitchers and catchers at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. They'll attempt to head outdoors if the proverbial window opens. Former Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph has signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth a guaranteed $1.1 million. He turned down the Orioles' offer of a minor league contract, held out for something better and got it. The Orioles brought six catchers to camp,...

A few more questions for spring training

A few more questions for spring training
We recently looked at a few questions that we should get answers for during spring training in this space. It included a look at the catcher position, the leadoff spot in the order and the rotation among other topics. Clear here for a look back at that entry. Today let's throw a few more questions and topics out there. Who will emerge from the glut of middle infielders?: No doubt Jonathan Villar will be starting at either second base or shortstop on opening day, but who will be playing with...

Springing ahead to the start of camp

Springing ahead to the start of camp
The demise of baseball's offseason began with two cancelled flights today to Tampa, leading to the great race last night to the airport. Still plenty of time to compile a list of spring training story ideas and top candidates to be stalked at their lockers and on the back fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Chris Davis is going to be asked again and again about his offseason workouts and changes from previous winters, though he's already detailed them in multiple interviews. His batting...

Being on 40-man roster only "small stepping stone" for Kline

Being on 40-man roster only "small stepping stone" for Kline
Time remains in the offseason to break down the top storylines of spring training, the most anticipated interviews, the most intense competitions, the best and worst of everything. The dissections will cut deep. The repetition that usually follows will numb the mind. The locker belonging to pitcher Branden Kline is going to attract media despite the interviews he gave last weekend at FanFest and Thursday night on 105.7 The Fan's "Hot Stove Show." He's talked about his injuries, the...

Richie Martin on being a Rule 5 pick and competing for a job

Richie Martin on being a Rule 5 pick and competing for a job
In a spring training that's going to spew its share of storylines and curiosities for the media, one of the major ones involves the Rule 5 picks and how many the Orioles are willing to stash on the 25-man roster. They kept two for the bullpen last year in Pedro Araujo and Nestor Cortes Jr., the latter designated for assignment in April and returned to the Yankees organization after clearing waivers. Outfielder Anthony Santander's status carried over from 2017, forcing the Orioles to keep him...

Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close

Pondering a few questions as spring training gets close
The start of spring training is getting close for the Orioles. Pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 12, the first full-squad workout is Feb. 18 and the first game is set for Feb. 23. Opening day is March 28 at Yankee Stadium and a new season will be officially underway. With all this fast approaching there are still plenty of unanswered questions for the 2019 season. Here are a few of them. Who will fill out the starting rotation? In some order we know that Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and Dylan...

Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition

Stewart and Hays working to get into outfield competition
While revealing at FanFest that finding more pitching is the top offseason roster priority for the Orioles, executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias didn't deny that the outfield, infield and catching position also could be addressed before opening day. The Orioles remain in an infield frenzy as they increase the competition for starting and utility jobs. They selected Richie Martin with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft and traded for Drew Jackson, who also must remain on the...

Orioles claim Jack Reinheimer off waivers

Orioles claim Jack Reinheimer off waivers
The Orioles keep building infield depth and increasing their options as they move through the offseason. The latest utility candidate arrived today in Jack Reinheimer, claimed off waivers from the Rangers. Pitcher Austin Brice was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Reinheimer, 26, was a fifth-round pick of the Mariners in 2013 out of East Carolina University who appeared in 21 games with the Mets last summer and went 5-for-30 with five walks and nine strikeouts. He was...

Orioles claim Hanser Alberto off waivers (arbitration update)

Orioles claim Hanser Alberto off waivers (arbitration update)
The need for more infield depth led the Orioles earlier today to make another waiver claim. The Orioles have brought Hanser Alberto into the organization, with catcher Andrew Susac designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Alberto, 26, can play all four infield positions and is a career .309/.330/.438 hitter in 1,000 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. He slashed .330/.346/.452 last summer in 101 games at Round Rock in the Rangers' system, and .322/.366/.392 in 43...

Sifting through roster moves and today's arbitration deadline

Sifting through roster moves and today's arbitration deadline
The activity that's been aimed at the Orioles' 25- and 40-man rosters in the offseason hasn't produced national headlines. There were three acquisitions in the Rule 5 draft and depth moves for the pitching staff, infield and catching position. Some of them haven't been announced and there could be others still under wraps. The decision to use the first pick in the Rule 5 draft on infielder Richie Martin has the potential to be one of the most impactful, considering that he's a candidate to...

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...

Orioles trade Breyvic Valera to Giants

Orioles trade Breyvic Valera to Giants
The Orioles needed only one day to resolve their situation with infielder Breyvic Valera. Valera has been traded to the Giants for cash considerations, with both teams making the announcement. He was designated for assignment yesterday after the Orioles claimed pitcher Austin Brice off waivers from the Angels. A spot had to be opened for Brice on the 40-man roster and Valera was the casualty. The Orioles could have attempted to pass him through waivers, but they worked out a trade. Former...

Orioles claim Austin Brice off waivers and DFA Breyvic Valera

Orioles claim Austin Brice off waivers and DFA Breyvic Valera
The Orioles have added a right-handed reliever to their 40-man roster while subtracting a player who was set up to compete for a utility job in spring training. Austin Brice has been claimed off waivers from the Angels, with infielder Breyvic Valera designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Brice, 26, is 2-4 with a 5.68 ERA and 1.262 WHIP in 70 relief appearances over the past three seasons. He registered a 5.79 ERA and 1.393 WHIP in 33 games with the Reds over the summer before the...

Wondering how the roster would look with its current options

Wondering how the roster would look with its current options
The season isn't starting today. The Orioles aren't in the Bronx and Manny Machado still isn't wearing pinstripes. The roster hasn't really started to take shape unless you count a couple of Rule 5 picks who will compete for shortstop and utility jobs and a left-handed hitting third baseman to compete against a right-handed hitting third baseman. Keep a brown paper bag handy to prevent hyperventilating. The clock hasn't become the enemy, with executive vice president and general manager...

A few ideas for the Orioles as they head into 2019

A few ideas for the Orioles as they head into 2019
A new year carries with it the same tasks placed in front of executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias, assistant Sig Mejdal and manager Brandon Hyde. No one has been hired to replace director of player development Brian Graham and director of scouting Gary Rajsich. Only two coaches are known to have joined the staff, with a third offered a job in the bullpen, per sources. And how's that analytics department coming along? Openings remain for a manager at Triple-A Norfolk, a...

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."...

Roster decisions developing slowly

Roster decisions developing slowly
There is going to be a point in the offseason when the Orioles are directing the vast majority of their collective energy toward constructing their 25-man roster and providing new manager Brandon Hyde with more options by improving the overall depth. Hires will be completed, staffs will be filled and the Orioles can expend most of their energy on free agency and the trade market. Trades are more likely until later in the winter, when the Orioles can scratch their free agent itch. Executive vice...