Does a rebuild provide a chance for creativity for the Orioles?

Does a rebuild provide a chance for creativity for the Orioles?
The 2019 season may well provide the Orioles with plenty of chances to do different things and make unconventional moves. In a rebuilding season where many losses are expected, why not? What if the Orioles decide to sometimes use an opener on the mound, but have that player try to pitch three innings rather than one? Bring the starter in to begin the fourth and go from there? See what that looks like. What if the club wants to bring in a defensive replacement for the last four innings and not...

Rebuilding time frames, Drake on the move and a McKenna note

Rebuilding time frames, Drake on the move and a McKenna note
Does rebuilding a baseball team have a beginning and an end? That is an interesting question that came up in our comments section yesterday. Are the Orioles done tearing down their roster? Does the rebuild truly begin now that Mike Elias has taken over baseball operations? I don't think you can put a date on a beginning and an end here unless you truly consider winning the World Series as the culmination. If that's the case, we'll have our date. But my opinion is that rebuilding is an...

A look at the latest win and latest pitcher to join the bullpen

A look at the latest win and latest pitcher to join the bullpen
TORONTO - Don't blink during this 2017 Orioles season or you could miss something. Like a close game, another win, another trade, a standing of first place in the American League East. So it hasn't been boring, right? You think close games are not important? Well, the Orioles are 4-0 in one-run games and lead the division at 6-2. The Blue Jays are 0-4 in one-run games and are in last place at 1-8. The Orioles own the best current record in the American League and Toronto has the worst. The...

Orioles acquire Magnifico from Brewers and trade Drake

Orioles acquire Magnifico from Brewers and trade Drake
The Orioles continued their roster maneuvering following tonight's 2-1 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto, acquiring right-hander Damien Magnifico from the Brewers in exchange for the 2016-17 international signing bonus slot No. 15 and trading reliever Oliver Drake to the Brewers for a player to be named or cash. Drake was designated for assignment earlier today to make room for reliever Stefan Crichton on the 25-man and 40-man rosters. Magnifico, 25, was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. "Damien...

Notes on Asher, D. Álvarez, Bourn, 40-man and more

Notes on Asher, D. Álvarez, Bourn, 40-man and more
With their competition for the fifth starter's spot reduced to two pitchers occupying the first two spots on an alphabetical list, the Orioles chose the one who would stay in turn and produced the best results at Triple-A Norfolk in an extremely short sample size. Their selection also rewarded the newcomer, a right-hander who joined the organization less than a week before the Orioles broke camp. Alec Asher was acquired from the Phillies on March 28 for the always popular "player to be...

Showalter on Drake's DFA (Orioles win 2-1)

Showalter on Drake's DFA (Orioles win 2-1)
TORONTO - Before tonight's game, the Orioles selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Stefan Crichton from Triple-A Norfolk, adding him to the 25- and 40-man rosters. To make roster room, right-hander Oliver Drake was designated for assignment. This could mean the end of Drake's Orioles career. He has been in the organization since the Orioles selected him in the 43rd round out of the Naval Academy in 2008. He has pitched for several affiliates on the farm, putting together strong...

Orioles get sloppy in 8-1 loss (updated with quotes)

Orioles get sloppy in 8-1 loss (updated with quotes)
BOSTON - The Orioles rely on their defense to bail them out of jams, not to create or exacerbate the situation, which made the seventh inning tonight especially odd and unsettling. Darren O'Day got the ground ball he needed to produce a rally-killing double play and leave the Orioles behind by one run, but normally sure-handed shortstop J.J. Hardy booted it. It came out of his glove and wouldn't stick in his bare hand on multiple attempts. Unfortunately for the Orioles, the miscue wasn't the...

Leftovers on rotation, bullpen, Mancini, Flaherty and more

Leftovers on rotation, bullpen, Mancini, Flaherty and more
The Orioles bullpen finally took a beating yesterday in the series finale against the Yankees, and as is usually the case, a finger must be pointed at a rotation that's failing to work deep into games and ... wait for it ... relieve the pressure. Dylan Bundy is the exception, covering seven innings Wednesday night against the Blue Jays. Kevin Gausman has worked 5 1/3 and 4 2/3 innings in his two starts. Ubaldo Jiménez lasted 4 1/3 and Wade Miley made it through the fifth yesterday despite...

Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss

Showalter speaks after 7-3 loss
Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't want to use three of his relievers today and needed starter Wade Miley, fresh off the disabled list, to pitch into the later innings. He didn't need a combined 11 walks from his staff or a four-run ninth inning by the Yankees that handed the Orioles their first loss, 7-3, before an announced crowd of 42,487 at Camden Yards. The Orioles still won the series and are 4-1 heading into their latest off-day. But they ended their first homestand on a...

Hyun Soo Kim on go-ahead hit, Kevin Gausman on his outing

Hyun Soo Kim on go-ahead hit, Kevin Gausman on his outing
After going hitless in his first two games of the 2017 season, Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim came up with three hits today. The last produced a go-ahead run as the Orioles rallied to beat the Yankees, 5-4, in front of 38,916 at Camden Yards. They rallied from a 4-1 deficit and are 4-0, making the O's the majors' only remaining unbeaten team. They rallied from four runs down last night to beat New York, and they've now won 10 consecutive series against the Yankees at Camden Yards. They go...

Showalter on the bullpen, manufacturing runs and 5-4 win

Showalter on the bullpen, manufacturing runs and 5-4 win
Kevin Gausman didn't make it out of the fifth inning today. The bullpen made sure again that it didn't matter. Orioles relievers combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings to increase their total to 16 2/3 in four games, and a late rally produced a 5-4 victory over the Yankees before an announced crowd of 38,916 at Camden Yards. Hyun Soo Kim's two-out single in the seventh off Dellin Betances scored Mark Trumbo, who doubled home the tying run and stole second base, and the Orioles improved to...

Jimenez fails to complete five innings (O's win 6-5)

Jimenez fails to complete five innings (O's win 6-5)
The temperature was dropping and Ubaldo Jiménez's pitch count was rising. Not a good combination by anyone's standards. Not in the first inning or any inning. Forty-five degrees felt like 25 tonight with the wind. Thirty pitches felt like 60, but Jiménez got out of the inning with only one run allowed. More would come. Five in 4 1/3 innings before manager Buck Showalter called upon reliever Oliver Drake. The final blow was Gary Sanchez's two-run shot to deep left field, the second home...

Ceremonies completed, time to start 2017 season (O's win in 11th)

Ceremonies completed, time to start 2017 season (O's win in 11th)
Kevin Gausman's first pitch this afternoon to Blue Jays leadoff hitter Devon Travis was a 96 mph fastball for a called strike, and the second landed in shallow right field for a single. The 2017 season was underway. The Orioles did the usual fine job with the pregame ceremonies. Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson was booed upon his introduction, but the volume level was nothing compared to what awaited José Bautista. Executive vice president Dan Duquette wasn't kidding. Fans don't...

Duquette: "This should be a big year for the O's"

Duquette: "This should be a big year for the O's"
Who's ready for opening day? Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette couldn't hide his excitement for the team and the start of the season as he stood on the edge of field during yesterday's workout. "This is our first opportunity to see our new team and for everybody to see the boys. The boys are back in town," he said. "Should be a big year for the O's. Twenty-fifth anniversary of Camden Yards. Still one of the most beautiful ballparks in America. And we have a new playing...

Drake on making the team, Duquette on Tavárez talks and more

Drake on making the team, Duquette on Tavárez talks and more
A day after Orioles reliever Oliver Drake tossed two scoreless innings in the final Grapefruit League game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista, the former Naval Academy pitcher was summoned into manager Buck Showalter's office and told that he made the team. Drake would be part of an eight-man bullpen on his first opening day. It was far from a safe assumption, considering how much Drake struggled in the spring. But he's got a legitimate minor league track record, he's out of minor league...

Orioles set 25-man roster

Orioles set 25-man roster
The Orioles announced their opening day roster this afternoon and it doesn't contain any surprises. It's the same math as reported a few days ago, with 14 position players and 11 pitchers, including eight relievers. Oliver Drake (Navy) received the eighth bullpen spot. He's out of options and may have to be placed on waivers after the Orioles activate left-hander Wade Miley from the disabled list on April 9 or need a fifth starter on April 15. Miley, Chris Tillman and Rule 5 outfielder...

Who were the biggest camp surprises?

Who were the biggest camp surprises?
I've left spring training behind me, along with a pile of game notes on my hotel room table and one bag of vegetables in the freezer. Only one bag. I should have taken the "under." Want a bigger spring surprise than my restraint in the frozen vegetable aisle? I'm going to start with Craig Gentry's arrival in camp and a performance that warranted a spot on the 25-man roster. First of all, no one expected the Orioles to sign him to a minor league deal. To say he wasn't on the radar is an...

Oliver Drake gets final roster spot, plus more after O's-Tides tie

Oliver Drake gets final roster spot, plus more after O's-Tides tie
NORFOLK, Va. - The one remaining roster spot that was an Orioles mystery no longer is. Right-hander Oliver Drake will be the eighth member of the Orioles bullpen on opening day. Manager Buck Showalter announced that after today's 3-3 tie at Harbor Park with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, concluding the exhibition season. Showalter also provided more clarity on right-hander Chris Tillman's upcoming schedule. It is one that could allow him to pitch for the Orioles as soon as May 2. Showalter told...

Roster intrigue attaches itself to O's on final camp day (updated)

Roster intrigue attaches itself to O's on final camp day (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Anyone seeking clarity on the Orioles' opening day roster may have to wait until Sunday's workout at Camden Yards. Manager Buck Showalter likes to use the "moving parts" analogy and it really applies in the final days of spring training. The Orioles could put Wade Miley on the disabled list and carry three starters until the veteran left-hander is needed on April 9. This scenario remains in discussion. Trey Mancini's outstanding spring seems to have lined him up for a trip...

Notes on Johnson, Bourn, Crichton, Drake, steals, Mancini, more

Notes on Johnson, Bourn, Crichton, Drake, steals, Mancini, more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are expected to re-sign infielder Chris Johnson to another minor league deal, perhaps as early as today, after releasing him on Monday. It's complicated contract stuff, the restructuring of a deal. Johnson still is projected to play third base at Triple-A Norfolk, and he also can move across the infield. Outfielder Michael Bourn also figures to come back after requesting and being granted his release, unless another team unexpectedly steps up and makes a better...