MLB disputes report Elias and Holt linked to potential pension fraud

MLB disputes report Elias and Holt linked to potential pension fraud
A spokesman for Major League Baseball issued a statement tonight disputing a New York Daily News report that Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and director of pitching Chris Holt are being investigated for potential pension fraud. "Major League Baseball is completely comfortable with the Orioles' coaching designations for the 2020 season, which are not only consistent with the terms of the pension plan but were approved in advance by MLB and shared prior to the start...

Wondering whether Orioles stay in-house during coaching search

Wondering whether Orioles stay in-house during coaching search
Past searches for coaching replacements on the Orioles' major league staff involved the casting of a wide net. Most recently, they found first base coach Anthony Sanders in the Rockies system, bullpen coach Darren Holmes after his stint in Colorado and major league coach Fredi González after his tenure in Miami. Third base coach José Flores came from Philadelphia prior to the 2019 season. Tim Cossins, the major league field coordinator and catching instructor, worked for the Cubs....

Brocail and Flores won't return to Orioles coaching staff

Brocail and Flores won't return to Orioles coaching staff
The offseason work conducted by the Orioles has moved past the 40-man roster today and impacted two coaches. The Orioles aren't going to bring back pitching coach Doug Brocail and third base coach/infield instructor Jose Flores, according to multiple industry sources. Potential candidates have not been determined and no other changes are coming to the staff at this time, per a source. Brocail was hired in January 2019 as the replacement for Roger McDowell, who served on former manager Buck...

Notes on Harvey, Valdez, playing in Buffalo and more

Notes on Harvey, Valdez, playing in Buffalo and more
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has been saying that reliever Hunter Harvey should be activated from the injured list during the current road trip. There are four games left before the club returns home. Harvey is still expected to be activated. "There's a really good chance you'll see him toward the end of the series," Hyde said during today's Zoom conference call with the media. The latest Harvey update remains positive, and they come in almost daily increments. He was facing hitters at the...

Orioles discuss Jackie Robinson Day

Orioles discuss Jackie Robinson Day
Jackie Robinson Day is being formally commemorated today and tonight around Major League Baseball. There will be a focus on Robinson's activism and impact on civil rights in society during and following his playing career. Today's date of Aug. 28 is the anniversary of the March On Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, which Jackie and Rachel Robinson and their children attended. It is also the date in 1945 when Robinson and Branch Rickey met to discuss his future as a member of the...

Orioles decide to play tonight after emotional team meeting (updated)

Orioles decide to play tonight after emotional team meeting (updated)
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde left it up to his players whether they wanted to take the field tonight or pack up and leave. He was going to support their decision. Whichever way it leaned. The team has decided, without any resistance, to finish the series against the Rays at Tropicana Field. At least two more games have been postponed tonight to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis. To bring more awareness to racial inequality. To make the boldest statement that sports can...

Mountcastle debuts with two walks in O's 8-5 loss (updated)

Mountcastle debuts with two walks in O's 8-5 loss (updated)
Ryan Mountcastle was introduced tonight as making his major league debut, stepped to the plate at Camden Yards to lead off the bottom of the second inning and heard the roar of the fake crowd. What a story to tell his grandchildren someday. Mountcastle didn't tip his helmet or leave the box to gather his emotions. He dug in, took a few big swings that produced foul balls and a 1-2 count, and watched the next three pitches to draw a walk. The arrival of the No. 5 prospect in the system provided...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
By the time that the media descends upon the Ed Smith Stadium complex for spring training, three new coaches on manager Brandon Hyde's staff will be familiar with every corner of it. The coaches' retreat that's folded into the annual January minicamp in Sarasota enabled Fredi González, Anthony Sanders and Darren Holmes to become acclimated with the spacious facility. No need to waste valuable time later. Drills will run more smoothly. This isn't the old Fort Lauderdale complex with its...

The curiosities continue over Mountcastle

The curiosities continue over Mountcastle
Challenged on a recent radio interview to name a few of my spring training curiosities relating to the younger players, I blurted out Ryan Mountcastle's name as if moved by a reflex. My leg didn't fully extend, but it was a similar sensation. Mountcastle isn't expected to head north with the team, though a final decision hasn't been made. That isn't why the media will watch him as if he were a Netflix documentary. It's about his defense again, which must test his patience. How much has...

Orioles prepping for latest minicamp and retreat

Orioles prepping for latest minicamp and retreat
The countdown to pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training has replaced the ball dropping in Times Square. This one is better because it doesn't require adults to stake out a spot for 18 hours and wear diapers. The Orioles' first official report date is Feb. 11, following by position players five days later. But the Sarasota, Fla., complex isn't sitting empty. There's going to be activity next week that leads into spring training. The team is holding another minicamp that features...

Orioles announce 2020 coaching staff

Orioles announce 2020 coaching staff
The 2020 Orioles coaching staff is now official. The hiring of Anthony Sanders as first base coach, Fredi González as major league coach and Darren Holmes as bullpen coach have been announced after various reports surfaced over the past four weeks. Sanders replaces Arnie Beyeler and González replaces José Hernández, who shifts to assistant hitting coach, the role previously held by Howie Clark. Holmes replaces John Wasdin. Beyeler, Clark and Wasdin weren't retained for next...

Orioles hire Darren Holmes as bullpen coach

Orioles hire Darren Holmes as bullpen coach
The Orioles have completed their major league coaching staff for the 2020 season. According to an industry source, the Orioles have hired former pitcher Darren Holmes as bullpen coach. The team hasn't made an announcement, but the deal is done. Holmes, 53, had served as Rockies bullpen coach since 2015. He didn't have previous experience on a team's coaching staff, but he worked in 2014 as the Braves' biomechanics pitching consultant. The Rockies replaced Holmes last month with minor league...

Hyde on Hays, rotation, rebuild, trades, Martin and more

Hyde on Hays, rotation, rebuild, trades, Martin and more
SAN DIEGO - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde can't make roster projections for 2020 without knowing it's exact composition. However, he said this afternoon that center fielder Austin Hays is "definitely" in the mix to bat leadoff. A healthy Hays is going to be on the opening day roster. There's no gray area in center field. Hyde also told the media during his 20-minute session that he'd like to have eight candidates for the starting rotation in camp. The Orioles are pretty much down to three...

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...

Day One of the Winter Meetings is underway

Day One of the Winter Meetings is underway
SAN DIEGO - There's a certain rhythm to the annual Winter Meetings that is spliced with interruptions. The breaking news and hastily arranged press conferences, though the Orioles usually don't get to the podium and aren't likely to be the center of attention this week. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias will meet daily with the media in the late afternoon, local time, which means filing late stories before wandering the lobby again. The usual managers luncheon has been...

Orioles adding Fredi González to coaching staff

Orioles adding Fredi González to coaching staff
The Orioles are nearing completion of the hiring process for their coaching staff, another item to cross off a long list of activities. Former Marlins and Braves manager Fredi González has been chosen as major league coach, according to a source. González inherits the title that belonged to José Hernández, who shifts to assistant hitting coach, per the source. Two of the three vacancies on the staff have been filled, including Anthony Sanders' hiring as first base coach. Sanders...

Source: Orioles hire Anthony Sanders as first base coach

Source: Orioles hire Anthony Sanders as first base coach
The Orioles are down to two vacancies on their major league coaching staff. A deal was finalized today to make Anthony Sanders the first base coach, according to a source. The Orioles haven't announced it. The sides drew close to an agreement late last week, and the final details have been completed. Sanders, 45, replaces Arnie Beyeler, who was told last month that he wouldn't be retained after one season. Sanders also can assume Beyeler's duties as outfield instructor based on his...

O's progressing toward deal with Sanders as first base coach

O's progressing toward deal with Sanders as first base coach
The Orioles are whittling down the vacancies on their coaching staff. Their talks with Anthony Sanders appear to be gaining momentum toward an agreement, though the proximity varies depending on the source. He's certainly become the frontrunner for the job and is expected to land it. FOX Sports reported that Sanders and the Orioles are close to an agreement. He would replace Arnie Beyeler as first base coach and also has the background to assume the responsibilities as outfield...

Wondering more about the coaching staff and 40-man roster

Wondering more about the coaching staff and 40-man roster
The Orioles aren't going to confirm or offer up names of their coaching candidates or which players are headed to the 40-man roster this week prior to the Rule 5 draft. Sometimes it comes down to reading a little or a lot into non-denials, but this isn't a foolproof plan. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias didn't bite last week when I dangled Anthony Sanders' name in front of him. FOX Sports reported that the Orioles interviewed Sanders for the job of first base coach,...