A new year and old questions about Orioles roster

I’m finally done with 2022 except for those occasions when I reference it in relation to the upcoming season. Like, can the bullpen be as good or better than it was last summer? Can Kyle Bradish and Dean Kremer pick up where they left off? Can Ramón Urías win a Gold Glove at a different position?

Will I break my record set last year for most times eating orange chicken in the press dining room?

The last Orioles transaction before Saturday night’s Tyler Nevin trade to the Tigers was the Dec. 23 trade of first baseman Lewin Díaz to the Braves for cash considerations. The Braves designated him for assignment less than a week later.

I woke up Saturday again wondering what the heck happened to Nevin. The Orioles designated him for assignment on Dec. 22 while acquiring catcher James McCann from the Mets. Still no news on the outcome.

I theorized that the Orioles were trying and struggling to find a trade partner. Otherwise, it’s the waiver process and either a claim or outright. Should have been done.

Minor league injury updates on Delmonico, Joseph and more

Minor league injury updates on Delmonico, Joseph and more
Nicky Delmonico, ranked as the Orioles' fourth-best prospect by Baseball America, was put on the Single-A Frederick disabled list yesterday, meaning he will miss at least seven days. Delmonico suffered a concussion in a game Thursday while sliding into second base. In 11 Keys games, he is batting .325 with two homers, nine RBIs, a .600 slugging percentage and 1.071 OPS. Delmonico homered in back-to-back games this past Monday and Tuesday. Orioles director of player development Brian Graham...

Orioles sign Kyle Hudson to minor league deal

Orioles sign Kyle Hudson to minor league deal
If the Orioles lose Trayvon Robinson on a waiver claim, they may have another outfielder to take his place in the minors. The Orioles signed Kyle Hudson to a minor league deal yesterday. His contract doesn't include a spring training invite, so he'll report to the Twin Lakes Park complex. Kent Qualls, the Orioles' new director of minor league operations, confirmed the signing today when reached by phone. "Some of our people in the organization like him a lot, "Qualls said. "He's...

Notes on O's prospects, long-term contracts, Angle, Cordero and more

Notes on O's prospects, long-term contracts, Angle, Cordero and more
Here is a question to think about: Are all the top sluggers eventually going to wind up in the American League? After Albert Pujols got a 10-year deal from the Angels and Prince Fielder got a nine-year contract from the Tigers, two of the game's most-feared sluggers have moved to the AL. Fielder was second in the National League with 38 homers last year and Pujols was third with 37. While neither player was signed to serve as a designated hitter, just knowing the DH spot is there for those...

Orioles release Hudson

Orioles release Hudson
I won't file this one under "breaking news," but the Orioles have released outfielder Kyle Hudson. Hudson, 25, was designated for assignment to make room for left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. He couldn't be placed on waivers and outrighted to the minors before March because he was "draft excluded" due to the date that the Orioles purchased his contract from Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles had to trade or release Hudson. They can attempt to re-sign him, but he won't be able to play for them...

Duquette talks about Peterson, arbitration and Cespedes (updated)

Duquette talks about Peterson, arbitration and Cespedes (updated)
Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed earlier today that the Orioles hired Rick Peterson as the organization's director of pitching development. Peterson signed a one-year contract. He'll basically replace former minor league pitching coordinator Alan Dunn, with expanded duties. "We've been talking to Rick since early November," Duquette said. "I was looking at my phone the other day. We've been talking to him since around Nov. 15. He's an accomplished pro. We want him to...

O'Day signs, update on Hudson

O'Day signs, update on Hudson
The Orioles are down to five unsigned arbitration-eligible players. They reached agreement with reliever Darren O'Day last month, according to a team official, so his name should have been crossed off the list I provided over the weekend. O'Day, claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Nov. 2, earned $1.25 million last season while going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 16 relief appearances. He had a much better and healthier 2010, going 6-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 72 games. The Sun is reporting...

Orioles sign Wei-Yin Chen; Hudson designated for assignment

Orioles sign Wei-Yin Chen; Hudson designated for assignment
The Orioles today announced that they have signedleft-hander Wei-Yin Chen (pronounced Way-Ying) to a three-year contract with a club option for 2015. He will wear number 16. Chen, 26, will be the first Taiwanese-born player in Orioles history. The 6-foot, 195-pound left-hander went 36-30 with a 2.48 ERA (631.1IP, 174ER) and 1.06 WHIP in 117 games (88 starts) over the last four seasons with the Chunichi Dragons in the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball. "Chen works off of a...

Orioles make Chen signing official, DFA Hudson (more)

Orioles make Chen signing official, DFA Hudson (more)
The Orioles announced today that they signed Taiwanese left-hander Wei-Yin Chen to a three-year contract with a club option for 2015. He will wear No. 16. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated outfielder Kyle Hudson for assignment. Chen, 26, will be the first Taiwanese-born player in Orioles history. The 6-foot, 195-lb. left-hander went 36-30 with a 2.48 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 117 games (88 starts) over the last four seasons with the Chunichi Dragons in the Central...

It's refreshing to see some speed on the Orioles right now

It's refreshing to see some speed on the Orioles right now
In baseball, they say speed doesn't go into a slump, and it's good to see the Orioles using some speed today and in recent games with callups like Matt Angle and Kyle Hudson. Hudson dropped a beautiful bunt toward third base and made second on a throwing error in the second inning this afternoon. Pedro Florimon was called out when he followed with another bunt. The Orioles have 12 stolen bases in 14 attempts in September, their third-best month this season for steals. They stole 15 bases in...

Hudson stays in lineup (Yankees lineup)

Hudson stays in lineup (Yankees lineup)
Kyle Hudson made his major league debut yesterday, grounding into two double plays, and he's back in left field today for the series opener against the Yankees. Nolan Reimold remains on the bench. For the Orioles: Kyle Hudson LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Robert Andino 3B Ryan Adams 2B Brian Matusz LHP Matusz is trying to snap a seven-game losing streak. Orioles starting pitchers have allowed five or more runs...

Kyle Hudson moves to Double-A Bowie

Kyle Hudson moves to Double-A Bowie
Single-A Frederick Keys center fielder Kyle Hudson has moved today to Double-A Bowie. This will be the first crack at Double-A ball for the 24-year-old left-handed batter. He was hitting .279 in 23 games with the Keys with no homers, two RBIs and eight steals. He played all last season with Frederick and recently Trent Mummey was moved from Single-A Delmarva to Frederick, giving the Keys essentially two center fielders. Mummey can now move to center for the Keys. Hudson will now join a team...

A look at CF depth in the O's minors

A look at CF depth in the O's minors
The Orioles, like any organization, would like to create a situation where they have solid depth throughout their minor leagues with prospects at both the lower and higher levels. While some fans right now would question the Orioles' minor league depth and may well be right about that, at certain positions the Orioles are becoming well stocked. Center field is one of those positions. When the 2011 season began last week the O's had a center fielder that will be batting leadoff at each of...