Orioles getting ready for roster redesign

Orioles getting ready for roster redesign
Among the many details to emerge concerning the 2020 baseball season was the unfreezing of rosters today and the ability of team executives to resume making cuts and potential trades. The Orioles must create a 30-man roster for opening day, which will be held on July 23 or 24. It's reduced to 28 players after two weeks and 26 after four. It was so long ago that fans may have forgotten, but the Orioles had 54 players on their camp roster on March 12 when baseball shut down and everyone became...

Because You Asked - The Island of Lost Dreams

Because You Asked - The Island of Lost Dreams
I'm wearing rubber gloves today while sorting through my mailbag. All of my clothes are made out of Glad trash bags. Safety first. Don't use the scented brand. They'll give you a headache. I'd keep a six-foot distance from the mail, but my vision is pretty bad. Also, my arms wouldn't reach it. You know what's also a reach? Trying to convince anyone that there's an actual bag. But treat it as you would "Rocky IV" and suspend disbelief. (The Soviet crowd chanting his name at the end?...

Armstrong's strong spring and a deeper dive into Orioles bullpen

Armstrong's strong spring and a deeper dive into Orioles bullpen
The magic of video is enabling the Orioles to stay connected while spread all over the country. I've heard that reliever Shawn Armstrong was able to share a bullpen session with one of his teammates that included a fastball clocked at 97 mph. Armstrong's fastball averaged 93.9 mph last season, per BrooksBaseball.net. There is no data available on his home workouts. An expansion of rosters from 26 to 29 players for the first month enables the Orioles to carry at least a few extra relievers to...

Reviewing the roster during the shutdown

Reviewing the roster during the shutdown
The Orioles would have been making the short drive to Bradenton today for a game against the Pirates if spring training had proceeded without interruption. The trip back always takes twice as long because of the traffic, but it's still the easiest one. Many of the competitions are unsettled while baseball takes a long break, but shortstop is set. José Iglesias has the position locked down after signing a one-year deal with an option for 2021. He still holds the key. Iglesias came across as...

A look at some non-roster invitees pushing for spots

A look at some non-roster invitees pushing for spots
SARASOTA, Fla. - After Monday's off day, the Orioles resume spring training games tonight when they host Atlanta at 6:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. They have played 17 games, going 8-6-3, and they have 16 left in Florida, plus the exhibition game at the Naval Academy against the New York Mets on March 24. Opening day is March 26 in Baltimore versus the New York Yankees. At this point, several non-roster players are posting good stats and making solid impressions. They are pushing for roster...

Orioles return Bailey and Rucker to their former organizations

Orioles return Bailey and Rucker to their former organizations
SARASOTA, Fla. - The second round of roster cuts for the Orioles this afternoon includes Rule 5 pitchers Brandon Bailey and Michael Rucker, who are being returned to their respective organizations after clearing waivers. Bailey is headed back to the Astros and Rucker to the Cubs. Top prospect Adley Rutschman was reassigned to minor league camp within a series of moves that left the camp roster at 54 players. The Orioles optioned pitcher Dean Kremer and outfielder Ryan McKenna to Triple-A...

Notes on Iglesias, upcoming pitchers and Bleier's outing

Notes on Iglesias, upcoming pitchers and Bleier's outing
SARASOTA, Fla. - José Iglesias won't say that the offseason has treated him much kinder than last winter, offering a shrug of his shoulders and a search for the right words. But there's still that trace of confusion over having to settle for a minor league contract in late February. It couldn't have been his defensive credentials, which earn the highest levels of praise. To say he carries a plus glove leaves him short of one "plus." "I don't want to say it was better. It was just...

Orioles back on field for second day of full-squad workouts

Orioles back on field for second day of full-squad workouts
SARASOTA, Fla. - Trey Mancini has returned to the field this morning after sitting out yesterday's workout due to the illness that's knocking down Orioles like bowling pins. Mancini is dressed in a t-shirt and shorts. This is a light workout for Mancini, who isn't back to full strength. But at least he made it out of the clubhouse and wasn't sent back home. The Orioles finished their Photo Day obligations and three fields are being used for live batting practice sessions. Ty Blach threw on...

How Eshelman, Shepherd and Blach fit in camp

How Eshelman, Shepherd and Blach fit in camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - The maneuvering that's going to be necessary by April to fill out the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk won't involve only prospects as pieces. The Orioles are prepared to hold onto a veteran or two and figure out later how it's going to work. I've heard the six-man rotation idea and I've heard the word "piggyback." It's a bit complicated. Because they aren't going to rush a young pitcher, someone else will be used if there's an injury to a major league starter or some...

Orioles agree to terms with Milone on minor league deal

Orioles agree to terms with Milone on minor league deal
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles found a veteran pitcher to compete for a spot in their rotation and it didn't cost them a major league contract. Left-hander Tommy Milone has agreed to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, according to an industry source. Milone, who turns 33 later this month, has pitched for six teams since debuting with the Nationals in 2011. Primarily a starter for the first five years, Milone has transitioned into more of a relief/bulk guy role. Only six...

How will Orioles make room for Triple-A starters?

How will Orioles make room for Triple-A starters?
While the Orioles work in spring training to round out a rotation that so far holds John Means, Alex Cobb, most likely Asher Wojciechowski and a bunch of questions, they also need to figure out what to do at Triple-A Norfolk. They can't finish that task until they know which starters are heading north with them. There could be some cuts due to overflow. And we know that executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is trying to sign one more veteran. The Tides rotation has the potential...

How LeBlanc could adjust rotation projections

How LeBlanc could adjust rotation projections
The reaction is the same each time that the Orioles announce the signing of a starting pitcher. Are they done? The minor league deal with Brady Rodgers didn't end their search. The minor league deal earlier this week with Wade LeBlanc didn't end their search. They aren't done. A major league contract remains available to a veteran starter if the price is right, which can further increase the camp competition and make a crowded field almost suffocating. The Orioles are up in arms. They have...

Orioles invite 23 non-roster players to camp

Orioles invite 23 non-roster players to camp
The Orioles released their list of 23 non-roster invites to spring training earlier today, headlined by catcher Adley Rutschman, their top prospect and the first-overall selection in last year's First-Year Player Draft. Rutschman is joined by pitching prospects Zac Lowther, Alex Wells and Bruce Zimmermann, infielders Rylan Bannon and Mason McCoy and outfielder Yusniel Diaz. The future will be illuminated by the Florida sunshine. Other non-roster invites to camp are pitchers Cristian Alvarado,...

More on Rodgers and Davis signings and Elias in Delmarva

More on Rodgers and Davis signings and Elias in Delmarva
Does the signing of right-hander Brady Rodgers to a minor league deal end the Orioles' search for starting pitching? The short answer is "no." The longer answer is "definitely no." Rodgers, 29, is one of those depth moves that flood the offseason transactions wire. He's going to be invited to spring training, just like the majority of the players signed to minor league deals. But the Orioles would like to land a veteran and are willing to offer a major league contract. The money has to be...

Taking the incomplete rotation for a spin

Taking the incomplete rotation for a spin
A total of 18 different pitchers made starts for the Orioles on the mound in 2019. We know they'll need five to start next season and the number over 162 games will go well north of that, probably. Let's take stock of the rotation as of today. The 2019 O's produced a rotation ERA of 5.57 to rank 14th in the American League. The Los Angeles Angels were worst at 5.64. The Orioles rotation rated 10th in innings (789), ninth in opponent average (.271), 15th in homers allowed (179), 15th in OPS...

Learning and confirming more about the Orioles

Learning and confirming more about the Orioles
Three full days and parts of two others spent at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in sunny San Diego taught us a few things about the Orioles and confirmed lots more. They need pitching. In the same way that a sailboat needs a stiff breeze. This didn't qualify as breaking news at the Winter Meetings, but the possibility of sticking at least one of the Rule 5 picks in the rotation provided an interesting nugget. The Orioles rule the Rule 5 kingdom. They've made a selection every year since 2006 and...

Winter Meetings leftovers for breakfast

Winter Meetings leftovers for breakfast
SAN DIEGO - The interviews to find a replacement for Orioles bullpen coach John Wasdin are carrying over from Baltimore to the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, with executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde involved in the process. Hyde's inclusion is important, of course, since the hire will be working on his coaching staff. He had a voice in Fredi González's recent selection as major league coach and their ties to the Marlins organization made it a...

Who's storming through the door to enter Orioles rotation?

Who's storming through the door to enter Orioles rotation?
An important part of the Orioles' pitching fantasies involves the pounding of the door that leads to the major league staff. A two-fisted beating. Maybe a swift kick or two to bust it off its hinges. There wasn't much more this summer than a light tapping. Eighteen pitchers made starts for the Orioles in 2019. Luis Ortiz was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on June 14 to start against the Red Sox, replacing Andrew Cashner, and the club had to ignore his 7.01 ERA and 1.65 WHIP while executing...

Alberto in arbitration adds to his story

Alberto in arbitration adds to his story
The bizarre and unexpected story of Orioles infielder Hanser Alberto includes how he's first-time eligible for arbitration. And how that's actually an interesting development. Alberto made $578,000 this season and you can say he earned it. Lost and reclaimed via waivers in spring training, Alberto appeared in 139 games with the Orioles and that alone is a stunner. He wasn't supposed to beat out veteran Alcides Escobar for a utility infield job until he did. Jack Reinheimer and Zach Vincej...

Peterson and Eshelman outrighted, Orioles lineup vs. Rangers

Peterson and Eshelman outrighted, Orioles lineup vs. Rangers
Orioles infielder Jace Peterson and pitcher Tom Eshelman have been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. The club made the announcement this afternoon. Peterson could have declined the assignment and elected free agency, but he accepted it. Eshelman and Peterson came off the 40-man roster while the Orioles were in Florida to create room for Mark Trumbo and Mason Williams, respectively. Trumbo is in the Orioles lineup tonight as they start a four-game series against the Rangers at Camden Yards. Trumbo...