Remembering how the Orioles landed a shortstop in 2010

Remembering how the Orioles landed a shortstop in 2010
The Orioles aren't expected to be nearly as busy retooling the roster this week, which has been advertised as some sort of virtual Winter Meetings, as they were in 2010. Still a tough act to follow. They're in a different place, and I don't just mean home compared to Lake Buena Vista, Fla. They needed a shortstop, as they do now, and traded for J.J. Hardy after almost finalizing a deal for Jason Bartlett - one of the best decisions in franchise history. They also were linked to Cardinals...

More myths, misconceptions about some Orioles players

More myths, misconceptions about some Orioles players
Another weekend is passing without sports, unless we're counting the NFL draft. I'm on the clock again, challenging myself to come up a few more Orioles who were misunderstood or unfairly labeled. Who didn't completely earn their reputations. For example: * Albert Belle wasn't always a menace to the media and actually was a popular teammate. Let's start with the second part. I'm not saying that Belle was loved by everyone who wore the uniform during his two seasons in Baltimore, but...

Memories of Mike Mussina as MASN airs more Orioles moments

Memories of Mike Mussina as MASN airs more Orioles moments
The classic coverage yesterday on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network included Game 1 of the 1997 American League Division Series between the Orioles and Mariners. A wire-to-wire team staying on its roll, and in unfriendly territory. Delmon Young's three-run double in the 2014 Division Series created the loudest moment at Camden Yards, but the '97 playoff game at the Kingdome, with 59,579 fans cranking up the volume, nearly burst my eardrums. The ringing noise didn't subside until pitchers and...

More work to be done after Orioles conclude season

More work to be done after Orioles conclude season
BOSTON - With the Orioles unable to secure the last out yesterday in the ninth inning, a walk-off loss done in a bizarre manner being an appropriate parting shot in a summer filled with oddities, we're left to wonder what the heck is coming next. The offseason won't be stagnant. The 40-man roster will undergo a major reconstruction. It should be surrounded by yellow caution tape. Pitchers Alex Cobb and Josh Rogers need to come off the 60-day injured list, with the assumption that the latter...

Elias on changes in scouting and front office (O's down 7-0)

Elias on changes in scouting and front office (O's down 7-0)
The Orioles have subtracted 11 individuals from their scouting department and front office, with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias confirming the number but offering little in the way of names. Elias said Brady Anderson remains in the organization in an advisory role, primarily with strength and conditioning. The executive title was removed in spring training. Kent Qualls remains as director of minor league operations and Elias is retaining assistant director of amateur...

Updating the Orioles rotation and bullpen (O's lead 6-5)

Updating the Orioles rotation and bullpen (O's lead 6-5)
The Orioles are starting Gabriel Ynoa for Monday night's series opener against the Yankees at Camden Yards, with manager Brandon Hyde able to avoid using him last night while sorting through bullpen options. Miguel Castro is still sick and unavailable for today's series finale against the Blue Jays. An expanded pitching staff still feels a little short. Hyde isn't sure how long the Orioles will carry 14 pitchers and two bench players. "We'll see how today goes and then we'll make a...

Scott and Yacabonis with opposite outings last night

Scott and Yacabonis with opposite outings last night
Tanner Scott stood at his locker late last night and wondered why anyone would want to talk to him before he headed home. He didn't feel like he had much impact on a game that the Orioles lost 17-6. Scott earned praise and the extra attention for stopping the bleeding with his three scoreless innings - a career high - and only one hit allowed after the Orioles recalled him from Triple-A Norfolk earlier in the day. "Just taking it one pitch at a time, just trying to do what we needed to do and...

Who's the next Orioles player to be traded?

Who's the next Orioles player to be traded?
Once the Orioles completed and announced their trade with the Red Sox Saturday afternoon, swapping Andrew Cashner for Rookie-level Dominican Summer League outfielder Elio Prado and infielder Noelberth Romero, the logical question hung in the air like a mile-high pop up. Who's next? Waiting for the next shoe to drop has become its own sport. And you don't sweat as much. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias isn't done, at least in his attempts to move other players. It might...

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Joey Rickard is starting in left field tonight and Stevie Wilkerson is in center as the Orioles continue their series against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Dwight Smith Jr. is the designated hitter. Hanser Alberto was out of the lineup last night, but he's playing second base tonight. Jonathan Villar moves to shortstop. Chris Davis is batting fifth. Austin Wynns is catching. Renato Núñez is a career .302 (19-for-63) hitter against the Red Sox, but he's on the bench tonight. David Hess...

Because You Asked - The Quest for Peace

Because You Asked - The Quest for Peace
I can't let 2018 pass without emptying out my mailbag. Especially since it passes for cardio exercise in my household. No need for a treadmill that would only collect dust anyway, or be used to hang wet clothes. I can work my biceps by lifting all of the duplicate questions. You ask 'em, I answer 'em and someone else asks the same ones. It's a tradition unlike any other. Let's get started on the latest sequel to the "Because You Asked" series, which will garner more award nominations...

Elias on manager search, the front office, goals and more

Elias on manager search, the front office, goals and more
LAS VEGAS - Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias arrived at the Winter Meetings this morning with his focus primarily on the hiring of a new manager, which would lead to the completion of the coaching staff. The roster isn't being ignored, but there are more pressing matters, including replacements for director of player development Brian Graham and director of scouting Gary Rajsich. Elias praised the work done by assistant Sig Mejdal, director of baseball operations...

O's will choose manager from six candidates (and other notes)

O's will choose manager from six candidates (and other notes)
LAS VEGAS - Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias confirmed this afternoon that he's conducted six in-person interviews for the managerial position and hopes to name a replacement for Buck Showalter later this month. Elias, meeting with the media for about 20 minutes inside his suite at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, said the process is "pretty far" along and there won't be a second round of interviews. He has all of the information that he needs. Though Elias...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Less than a week before the Winter Meetings begin, if we're counting Sunday's flight to Las Vegas and scant opportunities for media access, and the Orioles seem to be in the phase of their managerial search where they compile a list of candidates to interview. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias and his staff have conducted background searches and eliminated names that had grown to more than two dozen, he claimed Thursday night on the "Orioles Hot Stove" show on 105.7...

More on Joseph's non-tender and his letter to fans

More on Joseph's non-tender and his letter to fans
Catcher Caleb Joseph, non-tendered Friday night by the Orioles and a free agent for the first time in his career, is drawing interest from a handful of teams. It didn't take long. Plenty of clubs are checking on available catchers, but the market is flooded, with MLBTradeRumors.com providing the latest update: Drew Butera Robinson Chirinos A.J. Ellis Yasmani Grandal Chris Herrmann Nick Hundley Caleb Joseph Jose Lobaton Jonathan Lucroy Martín Maldonado Devin Mesoraco James McCann ...

More thoughts on Graham's departure from Orioles

More thoughts on Graham's departure from Orioles
I woke up yesterday morning feeling quite confident that Brian Graham was staying with the Orioles, whether as director of player development or with an adjusted title and set of duties. His knowledge of the organization, straight down through the farm system, was valued by new executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias. He was doing the heavy lifting before Elias' arrival and continued to take on big responsibilities. Graham woke up yesterday with the same sense, given no...

Graham won't remain with Orioles in 2019 (with statement)

Graham won't remain with Orioles in 2019 (with statement)
The Orioles are continuing to make dramatic changes throughout the organization, removing director of player development Brian Graham this morning, according to a source. Graham returned to the organization in October 2007 after serving as the Pirates' interim general manager and was named director of player development six years later. He had been handling the GM duties for the Orioles on an interim basis after they decided to part ways with executive vice president Dan Duquette. During his...

More on tonight's deadline and Elias' radio interview

More on tonight's deadline and Elias' radio interview
The latest deadline in baseball's offseason has arrived tonight with teams needing to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players by 8 p.m. I've hit this subject harder than a Chinese food buffet, but hey, let's review it anyway: The Orioles have three obvious decisions regarding Dylan Bundy, Mychal Givens and Jonathan Villar. They aren't candidates to be non-tendered and we'll find out later if executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias is willing to trade them...

Separating fact from fiction

Separating fact from fiction
Before accepting the yearly challenge of consuming as much food as possible without losing consciousness, please take a moment and try to separate Orioles fact from fiction. You won't need a carving knife. Sig Mejdal ranks among the most, yes, significant hires in recent memory. Fact. And the hire, wait for it, signifies that the Orioles are dead serious about incorporating analytics and taking a vastly different approach moving forward. It isn't just lip service. The former NASA...

Reviewing today's introduction of Mike Elias at Camden Yards

Reviewing today's introduction of Mike Elias at Camden Yards
Mike Elias' introduction this morning as Orioles executive vice president and general manager lasted 40 minutes and covered a wide range of topics. He also conducted individual interviews with television and radio outlets and met with the beat crew. John and Louis Angelos flanked Elias in an informal conversational setting inside the home clubhouse at Camden Yards, an event that was catered with food and drinks available in the back. There really are a lot of changes happening in the...

Questions awaiting Elias at Monday's introduction

Questions awaiting Elias at Monday's introduction
With the news on Friday that Mike Elias had been hired by the Orioles as executive vice president and general manager, anticipation spun into reality, the next set of questions can be tackled at Monday morning's introduction inside the auxiliary clubhouse at Camden Yards. Among the points that Elias can address: * Is it true that former Astros sabermetrics analyst Sig Mejdal will join the organization as Elias' top assistant? * What are the statuses of vice president of baseball operations...