Trying to set the roster in December

Trying to set the roster in December
Knowing that the Orioles have more work to do on their roster is on par with being able to recite your zip code. You won't gain the respect of your peers or earn bragging rights among friends. The rotation and middle infield are in a construction zone. The bullpen and bench aren't set. A new rule allowing teams to carry 26 players also increases the guesswork. I reached my yearly deadline for submitting a mock lineup, rotation, bullpen and bench for consideration by a national publication....

Does Smith retain same status with Orioles?

Does Smith retain same status with Orioles?
How does a player who appeared in 101 games pull a disappearing act while staying on the roster? That's how it feels with Dwight Smith Jr. He's on the 40-man roster, but tends to be excluded from the outfield conversation or led late into it. Manager Brandon Hyde couldn't be pinned down on a set outfield as he handled his media obligations at the Winter Meetings. A suggestion was made that Hyde might have a better grasp of his starters now with Austin Hays flanked by Anthony Santander and...

How Herrera could fit with Orioles

How Herrera could fit with Orioles
SAN DIEGO - The Orioles can't share their concrete plans for the 26-man roster until they're done finding players for it. One move might impact how they handle a separate position. The work won't be done this month or in January, given the organization's track record for late signings, trades and waiver claims. Reaching an agreement last week with infielder Dilson Herrera on a minor league contract enables the Orioles to lay out three possible scenarios for him. They could reassign him to...

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...

Which minor league signings could vie for jobs in camp?

Which minor league signings could vie for jobs in camp?
The batches of minor league signings that are completed throughout the offseason are aimed to increase depth and competition in the organization. Very little to get fans excited, but a necessity that unfolds all over baseball. The winners and the rebuilders. No one is immune. The Orioles announced a dozen names yesterday, including nine who are returning after a brief dalliance with free agency. Mason Williams was an early target after refusing his outright assignment and he's back to compete...

Mason Williams among 12 players signed to minors deals

Mason Williams among 12 players signed to minors deals
With center field depth an offseason priority for the Orioles, they agreed to terms with Mason Williams on a minor league contract that's certain to include an invitation to spring training in February. Williams is included among a dozen names tweeted earlier today by the club. And he's arguably the most important given the position and impression he made at Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles also agreed to terms with pitchers Cristian Alvarado, Hunter Cervenka, Francisco Jiménez and Rob...

Elias on arbitration-eligibles, Mancini, Rule 5, coaches and more

Elias on arbitration-eligibles, Mancini, Rule 5, coaches and more
The first "Hot Stove Show" of the offseason aired tonight on 105.7 The Fan, with Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias addressing topics related to both the majors and minors. I'll go into more depth in the morning, but here are a few items: * Elias obviously wouldn't go into specifics related to the seven arbitration-eligible players, but he conceded that the budget could lead the club to make some difficult decisions. Jonathan Villar with his projected $10.4 million...

Williams declines outright assignment

Williams declines outright assignment
The Orioles are continuing to clear space on their 40-man roster for future moves. Outfielder Mason Williams was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk after clearing waivers and declined the assignment, electing free agency rather than staying in the organization. He could be re-signed later in the winter, but will explore other opportunities. Williams already was eligible to become a minor league free agent if he hadn't been placed on the 25-man roster. The outright assignment was listed yesterday...

How Stewart's surgery impacts the outfield competition

How Stewart's surgery impacts the outfield competition
Whether DJ Stewart is able to compete for a spot on the Orioles opening day roster is a closed matter. The microfracture procedure on his right ankle on Oct. 17 likely prevents him from returning to baseball activities until late in spring training and eliminates him from consideration. A closed matter that opens a door. No one roots for a teammate to sustain an injury or undergo surgery, but Stewart's absence from camp drills and at least the early games increases someone else's odds of...

Gilmartin, Peterson and Sucre enter free agency

Gilmartin, Peterson and Sucre enter free agency
The offseason is moving through the period when players who have been outrighted off the 40-man roster can elect free agency. Players with a previous outright or who built up three years of service time in the majors. The market is open and the list of Orioles to enter it includes pitcher Sean Gilmartin, infielder Jace Peterson and catcher Jesús Sucre. The list of surprises is empty. The Orioles designated Gilmartin on June 25, claimed pitcher Tayler Scott off waivers from the Mariners and...

Stewart undergoes ankle surgery

Stewart undergoes ankle surgery
The competition for outfield jobs with the Orioles next spring has taken an unexpected twist. The team announced that DJ Stewart underwent a "successful" microfracture procedure on his right ankle yesterday in Los Angeles. Dr. Kenneth Jung from the Kerlan-Jobe Institute performed the surgery. Stewart is expected to return to baseball activities toward the end of spring training, according to a tweet from the Orioles, which seemingly prevents him from heading north for opening day on March 26...

More on Santander's season and how he's set for 2020

More on Santander's season and how he's set for 2020
While Anthony Santander passed his summer audition with the Orioles and made himself a piece of the rebuilding process moving forward, he certainly has more work to do over the winter and in spring training. There's room for improvement. It had to come up in his exit interview. Santander had 20 doubles and 20 home runs over 93 games and gained manager Brandon Hyde's trust in the outfield. He was comfortable going back for the ball and making catches against the fence and led the club with...

Hyde on Trumbo, Santander, Williams, Sisco, more (O's up 4-0)

Hyde on Trumbo, Santander, Williams, Sisco, more (O's up 4-0)
BOSTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he intends to put Mark Trumbo in Sunday's lineup to close out the season. Left unsaid is how the game also closes out Trumbo's career with the Orioles. He'll decide later whether to retire or pursue a contract with another team. Trumbo is 5-for-25 with three doubles this month since coming off the 60-day injured list. He didn't play in the three-game series in Toronto. Hyde spoke with Trumbo earlier today about the weekend. "He's going to be...

Notes and some thoughts on Hays and Phillips

Notes and some thoughts on Hays and Phillips
If Austin Hays stays healthy - and it's been a challenge over the past few seasons - he's going to be the Orioles' opening day starter in 2020. Period. End of discussion. OK, there's more. Manager Brandon Hyde isn't prepared to make that declaration. He's just trying to navigate his team through the last road trip. He's busy conducting exit interviews with players and figuring out how to manipulate the bullpen in the middle and late innings. The rotation no longer requires his attention....

Hyde on the bullpen, progress and rebuild (tied 6-6)

Hyde on the bullpen, progress and rebuild (tied 6-6)
Orioles outfielder Mason Williams is out of the lineup again tonight and hasn't made an appearance since crashing into the fence Tuesday night while chasing Cavan Biggio's fly ball that resulted in a triple for the Blue Jays rookie. Williams was left with a badly bruised knee that's kept him on the bench. He passed the concussion tests. Asked if Williams will play again before the season ends, manager Brandon Hyde said, "Yeah, I hope so." "He's day-to-day and he's sore," Hyde said. "I...

Notes on Wilkerson, Hays and Bleier

Notes on Wilkerson, Hays and Bleier
Stevie Wilkerson keeps showing up at the ballpark each day unsure if he's playing and having no clue which glove he'll be using if he does. The Orioles gave Wilkerson 57 starts in center field this season and used him in 71 games. He's also played left and right field, second base, shortstop and third base and served as an emergency reliever on four occasions. It's assumed that Wilkerson also is viewed as an extra catcher if the Orioles somehow run out of them. The risk grew slimmer after...

Updates on Williams, Trumbo, Núñez and rotation (O's up 8-5)

Updates on Williams, Trumbo, Núñez and rotation (O's up 8-5)
Mason Williams is unable to put much weight on his left leg today after slamming into the fence last night at full speed while chasing Cavan Biggio's triple in front of the bullpen area. Williams said today that he didn't sustain a concussion, but the knee is wrapped and he has a deep bruise that brings uncertainty to his availability over the last 11 games. "My head's fine," he said. "No concussion or anything like that, so that's fine. I just feel like I ran into a wall." Maybe it's...

One that got away: Toronto scores four in ninth to win 8-5

One that got away: Toronto scores four in ninth to win 8-5
Starting on Aug. 2, right-hander Mychal Givens went 15 straight games without allowing a homer. Now he has yielded a longball in back-to-back games in the ninth inning, and a home run allowed tonight helped beat the Orioles. Justin Smoak homered onto the flag court to lead off the ninth as Toronto beat the Orioles 8-4 with four runs in the ninth. It's the opener of a three-game series and the final homestand of this year. Cavan Biggio's two-run triple in the ninth made it 7-4. That hit gave...

Mancini's four-RBI night wasted in 8-5 loss (updated)

Mancini's four-RBI night wasted in 8-5 loss (updated)
The Orioles used their power tonight to take an early lead while attempting to win the first game of their series against the Blue Jays. They switched to a small ball approach to tie the score. Anything that might work for them. Don't live and die by one method. Trey Mancini proved again that he could handle both of them. But his work was wasted. Too many mistakes and one 95 mph fastball that was launched deep into the night. Disconsolate yesterday after striking out on three pitches to leave...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Chris Davis has returned to the lineup for the Orioles' series opener against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Davis hasn't played since Wednesday against the Dodgers. He's accumulated only nine plate appearances this month. Trey Mancini is the designated hitter and DJ Stewart is in right field. Mason Williams is in center field. Rio Ruiz is batting cleanup. Chandler Shepherd is making his first major league start and third appearance, becoming the 17th pitcher to start for the Orioles this...