Notes on Britton and Reynolds (and Betemit)

Notes on Britton and Reynolds (and Betemit)
Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Zach Britton left tonight's game in Toledo after being hit on the side of the ankle by a hard one-hopper from Danny Worth. No updates are available at this time. Worth reached on an infield hit with two outs in the sixth inning as the ball rolled to Tides first baseman Steve Clevenger. Tim Alderson replaced Britton and stranded Worth by retiring former Orioles catcher Ronny Paulino. Britton allowed two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings, with four walks and six...

Should O's consider Dunn or Reynolds?

Should O's consider Dunn or Reynolds?
They are two sluggers and both are known for hitting a lot of home runs and also for striking out a lot. One bats left-handed and one right-handed. Could either Adam Dunn or Mark Reynolds help the O's at the DH position? Should the club pursue one of these sluggers for the stretch run? Reports say Dunn has cleared waivers meaning he could be traded after the July 31 deadline. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com suggested the Orioles or Rangers could be interested in pursuing Dunn. Presumably any...

A few off-day notes

A few off-day notes
The Indians designated Mark Reynolds for assignment this morning and I'm already being asked about the Orioles' level of interest in bringing him back. I have no idea. The ink on the transaction hasn't even dried yet. The Orioles had no interest in picking up his $11 million option over the winter or tendering him a contract and risking an arbitration hearing. But circumstances do change. They're in the market for a right-handed hitter, but Reynolds batted .218/.310/.386 in May,...

Reynolds on his return to Baltimore, his new team and more

Reynolds on his return to Baltimore, his new team and more
After two seasons and 290 games playing for the Orioles, tonight Mark Reynolds will play against them. In his return to Camden Yards for the first time as a Cleveland Indian, Reynolds will bat sixth and start at third base for his new team and this time come running out of the third base dugout. "This is going to be fun," Reynolds said to a crowd of Baltimore reporters in the Cleveland dugout. "It's easy to say it's just another game, but it's going to be weird playing against these...

Hardy disappointed that Reynolds is leaving

Hardy disappointed that Reynolds is leaving
Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy lost one of his favorite teammates and card players. Hardy was hoping that the Orioles would re-sign Mark Reynolds, who agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, "I've still got (Matt) Wieters next to me, but he only played because Reynolds forced us to play, and then (Nick) Markakis was also in there," Hardy said earlier today at the annual OriolesREACH Holiday Party at Dave & Busters at Arundel Mills Mall. "I don't know. We'll...

This, that and the other (and more)

This, that and the other (and more)
So what should we read into the Orioles' total lack of interest in bringing back first baseman Mark Reynolds, who has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Cleveland Indians? Several people at the Winter Meetings suggested that money wasn't the issue. The Orioles simply felt that they could upgrade at first base. Reynolds' contract with the Indians is for a guaranteed $6 million. He reportedly can make another $1.5 million in bonuses based on plate appearances. He made $7.5 million...

Quick hits from Showalter

Quick hits from Showalter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter just spent 30 minutes addressing the media in the workroom here at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Here are a few of the highlights. I'll post quotes later in the afternoon. * Showalter said he isn't antsy that the Orioles haven't made a trade and he wouldn't want them to if other executives don't place the same value on his players. * Reliever Pedro Strop will pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball...

Do O's have to match the Toronto trade? (and a take on Mark Reynolds)

Do O's have to match the Toronto trade? (and a take on Mark Reynolds)
The Toronto Blue Jays recently completed a blockbuster 12-player trade where they acquired Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, John Buck and Emilio Bonifacio from the Marlins. It's a deal that some believe has shifted the balance of power in the AL East. It's a deal some Orioles fans seem to feel the team has to counter with a move or moves of their own. I asked executive vice president Dan Duquette just that question this week. Do the Orioles feel pressure to counter the Toronto...

Duquette on Reynolds, signings and Navarro

Duquette on Reynolds, signings and Navarro
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he tried to figure out a way to fit first baseman Mark Reynolds on the team before non-tendering him tonight. "The way his contract is structured and the arbitration process made it challenging," Duquette said. "We just thought the value was too high. The price was too high on his option and the value in the arbitration system was too high to tender him a contract." Asked about the lack of negotiations leading up to tonight's deadline,...

Reynolds is non-tendered (final update)

Reynolds is non-tendered (final update)
The Orioles didn't negotiate a new deal with Mark Reynolds and they didn't trade him. Faced with tonight's deadline for offering contracts to their arbitration-eligible players, they chose to non-tender their first baseman and allow him to become a free agent. "It's official," he said. Reynolds made $7.5 million this year while batting .221/.335/.429 with 26 doubles, 23 homers and 69 RBIs in 135 games. The Orioles declined to pick up his $11 million option for 2013. Reynolds could...

Marlins claim Mahoney, and a closer look at Orioles' expected non-tenders

Marlins claim Mahoney, and a closer look at Orioles' expected non-tenders
The Miami Marlins have claimed Joe Mahoney off waivers from the Orioles, who designated him for assignment on Wednesday to make room for third baseman Danny Valencia on the 40-man roster. Mahoney batted .265 with 10 homers and 56 RBIs in 132 games for Triple-A Norfolk in 2012, and made his major league debut for the Orioles, going hitless in four at-bats over two games. So much for "The Big Irish" being the Orioles' first baseman of the future. Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post first...

Reynolds: "I would assume that I'll probably be gone" (with Bergesen note)

Reynolds: "I would assume that I'll probably be gone" (with Bergesen note)
The deadline for teams to offer contracts to their arbitration-eligible players is almost upon us, and the chances of Mark Reynolds staying with the Orioles diminish by the hour. The Orioles still don't seem willing to risk going to arbitration with Reynolds, who could earn around $9 million after making $7.5 million in 2012. Executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated earlier this week that he would explore negotiating a new deal with Reynolds, saying, "We'll see if we can do something...

Orioles exploring new contract for Reynolds before arbitration deadline (and notes)

Orioles exploring new contract for Reynolds before arbitration deadline (and notes)
Uncomfortable with the possibility of going to arbitration with Mark Reynolds, the Orioles are attempting to reach agreement on a new deal with their first baseman before Friday's deadline for tendering contracts. They've already declined to exercise Reynolds' $11 million option for 2013 after he made $7.5 million this year. He's expected to be non-tendered if a new deal isn't in place. Reynolds struggled mightily at the plate in the first half and hit .221/.335/.429 with 26 doubles, 23...

Have the Orioles made a decision on Reynolds? (plus playoff shares)

Have the Orioles made a decision on Reynolds? (plus playoff shares)
The Orioles must decide by Friday whether to offer arbitration to their 14 eligible players. That's the next significant deadline in baseball. As a reminder, here is the updated list of players, which now includes Alexi Casilla, but no longer includes Robert Andino and Lew Ford: Alexi Casilla Chris Davis Jason Hammel Tommy Hunter Jim Johnson Brian Matusz Darren O'Day Troy Patton Steve Pearce Omar Quintanilla Nolan Reimold Mark Reynolds Taylor Teagarden Matt Wieters Davis, Hammel, Hunter,...

Duquette on Greinke/Hamilton speculation

Duquette on Greinke/Hamilton speculation
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette just made an appearance on MLB Radio Network and basically shot down the idea that the Orioles could sign pitcher Zack Greinke or outfielder Josh Hamilton, though the tweets that ensued might leave you a bit confused. Former executive Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenESPNxm), a co-host on the Sirius/XM show, tweeted the following: Dan Duquette told us on SiriusXM when I asked him If I could count the O's "out" on Greinke & Hamilton..he said I would never...

Quick takes on the big trade, strikeouts, David Price and more

Quick takes on the big trade, strikeouts, David Price and more
Some quick takes today and please jump in with comments and opinions as you provide your takes on mine. The Toronto Blue Jays, 2013 American League East champs?: Pardon me if I wait for them to play the season before attending the Blue Jays' victory parade. No, the Orioles don't need to counter this move. This is not chess, or the Red Sox and Yankees. The Orioles need to make moves to try and improve their team and that held true before the big Miami-Toronto trade and still does. I'm...

One vote for Orioles to offer Mark Reynolds arbitration

One vote for Orioles to offer Mark Reynolds arbitration
I've come to this conclusion and I wonder if the Orioles are thinking the same way: If they truly want Mark Reynolds to be their first baseman in 2013, they should simply offer him arbitration and guarantee he stays with the club through next year. The Orioles must decide whether to offer Reynolds arbitration by Nov. 30 or they could non-tender him. That means no arbitration offer, with Reynolds becoming a free agent able to sign with any club. There are estimates that Reynolds, who earned...

Reynolds hoping to stay with Orioles

Reynolds hoping to stay with Orioles
Mark Reynolds wasn't surprised by today's news that the Orioles declined to pick up his $11 million option for next season. He expected this outcome based on his diminished production this season. "Obviously, I didn't have the year I wanted," Reynolds said in a phone conversation. "I didn't play to my standards and obviously the Orioles' standards. But I've still got an arbitration year to go and we'll see what happens. Nov. 30 is the date, right?" Correct. And the Orioles could...

Orioles decline Reynolds' option, add Clark to 40-man roster

Orioles decline Reynolds' option, add Clark to 40-man roster
The Orioles have declined to pick up first baseman Mark Reynolds' $11 million option for 2013. They exercised the $1 million option on reliever Luis Ayala's contract. Both of these moves were anticipated for months. Reynolds, 29, is arbitration-eligible, which leaves the Orioles with another decision. He made $7.5 million this season and a raise could increase his salary to around $9 million. The Orioles may non-tender Reynolds and attempt to re-sign him, but they'd risk losing him as a...

Seven Orioles declare for free agency (World Series odds for 2013)

Seven Orioles declare for free agency (World Series odds for 2013)
With the World Series ending late last night, seven Orioles joined the list of major league players declaring for free agency today: Outfielders Nate McLouth and Endy Chavez, pitchers Joe Saunders and Randy Wolf, designated hitter Jim Thome, first baseman Nick Johnson and infielder/outfielder Bill Hall. Stop me if you've heard this one: The Orioles are likely to pursue McLouth and Saunders, and they could hold some interest in Thome if he doesn't retire. That's it. They have a five-day...