Will the 2020 season produce a legit World Series champion?

Will the 2020 season produce a legit World Series champion?
Even if the coming 60-game Major League Baseball season gets played to conclusion through the World Series, fans are going to look back at this season for years and see strange things. Like a home run champion that might hit, say, 21 homers. Or a pitcher leading the majors in wins with seven or eight. Or a saves leader with 16. Or a World Series champion crowned after a 60-game season. Will that World Series winner be legit? Well, legit is in the eye of the beholder. To me, that answer is yes....

Is the DH destined to be done in both leagues?

Is the DH destined to be done in both leagues?
I'm going to be accused of American League bias. I don't care. A universal designated hitter is coming to Major League Baseball in 2020 and 2021. If owners get their way, of course. It's in the proposal - or the agreement, depending on which term you've adopted. There's a sense that the new rule will carry beyond 2021. That pitchers will keep their bats in the rack except for extreme circumstances. Who's shedding tears? The purists who will miss a .050 hitter bunting the ball foul? I'm...

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...

Because You Asked - Dawn of Justice

Because You Asked - Dawn of Justice
The Orioles are three-quarters through the 2019 season and, much to the chagrin of the most optimistic of fans, a winning record no longer is a mathematical possibility. I've lost count of how many times I've responded to the same questions. Of how many times I've made a mockery of the mailbag format for interacting with readers. You keep coming back, so you must get the joke. Or you just keep coming back and are thinking, 'What joke?' In which case ... never mind. You ask and I answer and...

Is Núñez a keeper in 2020?

Is Núñez a keeper in 2020?
The remaining 50 games on the Orioles' schedule will be used to stay competitive, to emphasize that winning still matters, to stay far ahead of last year's 115-loss pace. But the evaluating of talent and sorting through the keepers and expendables - and anyone in between - won't diminish in importance. The task ranks highly on the rebuild scale and it hasn't slowed. Manager Brandon Hyde knew little about Renato Núñez in the early days of spring training. Always hit in the minors, out...

Orioles get back to non-trade baseball business (updated)

Orioles get back to non-trade baseball business (updated)
The trade deadline is dust and Orioles manager Brandon Hyde can get back to talking about his rotation, bullpen, lineup, injuries and anything else that doesn't involve territory occupied by the front office. (I was beginning to feel sorry for him. What is he supposed to say when he isn't the one doing the trading?) Of course, Hyde will be pressed to offer his thoughts on keeping the players on his roster. How he won't have to fill any roles. How certain players can relax. How much he'll...

Orioles settle on minor league trade at deadline (updated again)

Orioles settle on minor league trade at deadline (updated again)
Of the needs that encompass a rebuilding club, a ninth inning specialist is significantly low on the priority list. So is a middle infielder due to get another raise in arbitration that could push his salary above $5 million. The Orioles tried but were unable today to reach agreement on trades involving Mychal Givens or Jonathan Villar. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias is following the Andrew Cashner trade to the Red Sox on July 13 with a deadline deal involving a minor...

Wondering about Monday's starter (and Aberdeen leftovers)

Wondering about Monday's starter (and Aberdeen leftovers)
While the Orioles downplay John Means' second stop on the injured list, this time with a left biceps strain, they need to find a starter to take his next turn. Means is expected to miss only one start, but who's making it? Someone has to take the mound Monday night in San Diego, and manager Brandon Hyde isn't ready to announce his choice. Probably because he doesn't know yet what it is. Gabriel Ynoa is an option if he's fresh. He worked 1 2/3 innings Wednesday in Arizona and three innings...

Cashner on trade: "It's a shocking moment" (O's down 9-3)

Cashner on trade: "It's a shocking moment" (O's down 9-3)
Andrew Cashner felt that a trade was coming. He could sense it. He could pick up on clues via the text messages on his phone. It's the timing that surprised him. Rather than make his scheduled start Sunday afternoon against the Rays, Cashner is packing his belongings and joining the Red Sox following today's deal that sends 17-year-old outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero to the Orioles. Prado and Romero have been assigned to the Rookie-level Dominican Sumer League on separate...

Questions and curiosities about the Orioles' second half

Questions and curiosities about the Orioles' second half
The Orioles open the second half of their season Friday night against the Rays and host two more teams, the Nationals for two games and the Red Sox for three, before going back out to the West Coast. (Quick, when is the last time they've played consecutive series of four, two and three games? Someone contact STATS or the other Elias.) There are some lingering questions and curiosities hanging over the team, including whether it finishes again with the worst record in baseball and gets the...

Closer look at Orioles' roster usage

Closer look at Orioles' roster usage
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles made it through last night's game without calling upon a 47th different player. They managed to get by with the current group, covering nine innings and heading to Toronto for the final series before the All-Star break. Are 46 players a lot over the course of a season? How about in the first half? Spoiler alert: The first-half number is a club record. So, yes, it's a lot. Consider that the Orioles' record for a season is 56, set last year as they began to...

Sifting through more starter options

Sifting through more starter options
The series win and back-to-back victories are out of the way. The Orioles don't have to be reminded of the huge gaps. Of the many teases and failed attempts. Let it go. The next goal is a three-game sweep, which would be the first since Aug. 27-29, 2018 against the Blue Jays. Probably not as long ago as many people would have expected. David Hess, Josh Rogers and Sean Gilmartin were the winning pitchers in the series. Hess is in Triple-A Norfolk's bullpen, Rogers is on the injured list and...

Importance of returning Means to the rotation (and other notes)

Importance of returning Means to the rotation (and other notes)
The importance of a rookie left-hander on the Orioles roster keeps growing. To the point where his absence feels like it could lead to a total collapse. Not just a brick at a time. An implosion and a huge cloud of dust. John Means is coming off the injured list today, making him available to start against the Indians as the Orioles keep searching for their 10th home win. His left shoulder strain wasn't serious, though it removed him briefly from the rotation. Any signs of panic would be...

O's still expect Means to return next weekend (game update)

O's still expect Means to return next weekend (game update)
SEATTLE - Orioles left-handed starter John Means remains on track to be activated off the injured list and rejoin the rotation during the series against the Indians that begins June 28 at Oriole Park. Means, who is 6-4 with a 2.67 ERA, has been on the IL since Thursday with a left shoulder strain. "He played catch today and felt good," said manager Brandon Hyde. Means will need to throw at least one bullpen session before he gets back on the mound in a game. Hyde said the concern level on...

Orioles lineup for series finale (Straily to Norfolk)

Orioles lineup for series finale (Straily to Norfolk)
SEATTLE - Hanser Alberto will lead off and Trey Mancini is back in the lineup for the second straight day after missing two games. The Orioles will try to end their seven-game road trip to Oakland and Seattle with a win today. The Orioles (22-55) won 8-4 yesterday as Jonathan Villar hit a three-run homer and Anthony Santander added a two-run homer. After scoring just nine runs in the first four games of their road trip, the Orioles have now scored 17 in the last two games. Pedro Severino,...

With John Means out, O's may turn to the bullpen Friday (game update)

With John Means out, O's may turn to the bullpen Friday (game update)
SEATTLE - Lefty John Means, who was scheduled to start tomorrow night, was placed on the 10-day injured list today with a shoulder strain. So the Orioles need a starter for Friday night at T-Mobile Park. "As of right now for tomorrow we have a bullpen day," manager Brandon Hyde said. "We're going to see how today plays out and kind of go from there. Nothing really is certain at this point." Left-hander Sean Gilmartin would be one candidate to make the start. He's been stretched out a bit...

Updating John Means, Trey Mancini and Dwight Smith Jr.

Updating John Means, Trey Mancini and Dwight Smith Jr.
SEATTLE - It seems the Orioles got fortunate yesterday with the injury news about Trey Mancini and it is similar today with left-handed starter John Means. The Orioles top starting pitcher for the year - he's 6-4 with a 2.67 ERA - is certain he will return when his 10-day injured list stint is up on an off-day, the day before the O's host Cleveland June 28. He was placed on the IL today, retroactive to June 17, with a left shoulder strain. Means said what he felt at the end of his last start...

Straily designated for assignment and Means placed on IL

Straily designated for assignment and Means placed on IL
The Orioles have designated Dan Straily for assignment today while also losing the most effective pitcher on their staff. John Means is headed to the 10-day injured list with a strained left shoulder. The move is backdated to Monday and he's eligible to return for the series against the Indians that begins June 28 at Camden Yards. A series of moves today also included outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. coming off the concussion injured list and returning to the active roster and reliever Evan...

What's next for Orioles roster?

What's next for Orioles roster?
The Orioles are changing cities and their roster. Dwight Smith Jr. is expected to come off the concussion injured list after playing two games with Triple-A Norfolk and hitting a home run last night, though manager Brandon Hyde left open the possibility on MASN that it could happen Friday. The Orioles must decide whether to option Anthony Santander or Stevie Wilkerson, the latter capable of backing up in center field as well as the infield positions, if Trey Mancini avoids the injured...

Hyde on possible roster moves, Straily on his struggles

Hyde on possible roster moves, Straily on his struggles
OAKLAND - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde used the word "embarrassing" again to describe last night's 16-2 loss at Oakland and he said some changes could be coming when the Orioles play in Seattle starting tomorrow night. "We have some potential roster moves coming in the next few days," Hyde said before today's game. "One, Smitty (Dwight Smith Jr.) probably will be there in Seattle. That went well in Scranton (in a rehab game last night). He felt good after the game. Smitty will be there...