This, that and the other

left-field-wall

A week has passed since the Orioles made their last transaction, signing reliever Reed Garrett to a minor league contract. The 40-man roster hasn’t been impacted since they acquired left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez from the Red Sox for cash considerations on Jan. 11 and designated first baseman Lewin Díaz for assignment.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 15. The clock on the countdown is ticking louder. Some teams have declared that they’re unlikely to make any other moves, but the Orioles keep trying to find another veteran starting pitcher.

“We’re definitely not going to rest in terms of improving this roster before we leave for Sarasota,” executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said during Friday’s interview on 105.7 The Fan, “and even after we’re in Sarasota, sometimes things happen.”

They often happen.

Infielder Chris Owings, pitchers Chris Ellis and Conner Greene and catcher Beau Taylor were signed to minor league deals last March after the media arrived in Sarasota. Nothing impactful, as it turned out.

Trumbo on his role and future

Trumbo on his role and future
Fans who are on board with the Orioles' plans to undergo a rebuild have asked how Mark Trumbo fits into it. Trumbo runs the same question through his head. He turns 33 later this month, is recovering from knee surgery and is approaching the final year of a contract that pays him $11 million this summer with deferred payments of $1.5 million from 2020-22. There's the potential for run production in the middle of the lineup. There's a leadership role that's been vacated by trades and free...

Considering challenges of constructing a coaching staff

Considering challenges of constructing a coaching staff
The Orioles haven't laid out a time frame for hiring a new manager, with Mike Elias offering confirmation last week during his introduction as executive vice president and general manager. A process too important to be rushed. A list too long to be chopped in hasty fashion. To quote Elias: "It's not something to rush for the sake of meeting artificial dates in the wintertime." Meanwhile, contracts for the entire coaching staff expired on Oct. 31. No one has landed a new job, from what I can...

Notes on Beckham, Villar, Jones and Wynns (O's down 8-0)

Notes on Beckham, Villar, Jones and Wynns (O's down 8-0)
CLEVELAND - Tim Beckham is getting a rest day, nothing related to a health issue, which also allows the Orioles to take another look at Jonathan Villar at shortstop. "He's fine," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's just been playing a lot. Get some different looks, moving people around. You'll see some more of that before the year's over, especially when we do the September call-ups. "These are precious looks to kind of have an idea of what we have and what we don't have going into the...

Showalter on today's roster move and more (O's down 6-0)

Showalter on today's roster move and more (O's down 6-0)
BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter explained today's roster move, with catcher Andrew Susac recalled from Triple-A Norfolk and Caleb Joseph optioned to the Tides, as being "best for everybody concerned." Susac is in tonight's lineup and Joseph will be reporting to Norfolk after batting .182/.203/.325 in 24 games and going 4-for-19 throwing out runners attempting to steal. He also had four errors and two passed balls. "Andrew has been doing well," Showalter said. "Caleb, I think,...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
NEW YORK - When Orioles bench coach John Russell posts the lineup later this morning after retrieving it from manager Buck Showalter, it's going to include Trey Mancini in the leadoff spot. There's no motivation to lower him. There's no one else who's a more logical fit. Mancini is batting .200, but he's been denied on multiple occasions, including Josh Reddick's leaping catch in Houston that robbed him of a three-run homer. He smoked a grounder up the middle last night that skipped off...

Chance Sisco on making the club

Chance Sisco on making the club
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' spring tradition of leading a player in one roster direction before throwing him a curve and breaking good news resumed yesterday with catcher Chance Sisco. Sisco found out that he made the club as the backup to starter Caleb Joseph, but only after wondering what he did wrong. It began with third base coach Bobby Dickerson and continued with manager Buck Showalter and bench coach John Russell. And it ended with smiles and a roster spot on opening day. "Bobby...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
SARASOTA, Fla. - The competition for backup catcher with the Orioles appears to be a two-man race between Chance Sisco and Austin Wynns, though Andrew Susac remains in camp and is trying to make a push after a staph infection led to a brief hospital stay. Wynns was in the lineup yesterday against the Rays and had a single and walk before striking out with the bases loaded to end the fifth. Susac replaced him and singled in his only at-bat. Susac is 2-for-2 and has walked twice in limited...

Dickerson on Beckham, Russell on catchers, Coolbaugh on Davis

Dickerson on Beckham, Russell on catchers, Coolbaugh on Davis
The doors to the Baltimore Convention Center open this morning at 10 a.m. for season ticket holders attending the annual FanFest event and 11 a.m. for everyone else. Gauging the crowd's mood will be interesting, given the slow offseason and unexpected absences of star players Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop. Along with the anticipated questions about Machado's status on the team - traded or not traded, shortstop or third baseman - executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The utility job in Baltimore remains open to a cluster of in-house competitors and the anticipated outsider, the latter's identity remaining a mystery. The Orioles seem to have targeted a specific player. The challenge is getting him under contract. Is it more important than finding three starting pitchers? Not even close. But it's still important. Every team has that guy on its roster. More of them are stressing the expansion of skills to include outfield play, especially if willing to go...

Hunter Harvey: "I feel like I'm ready to go"

Hunter Harvey: "I feel like I'm ready to go"
SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of Orioles minicamp wrapped up this morning with Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. completing a bullpen session, pitchers running sprints and Dariel Álvarez playing catch on flat ground as he recovers from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Álvarez is converting from outfielder to reliever. Manager Buck Showalter is joined by pitching coach Roger McDowell, bullpen coach Alan Mills, bench coach John Russell, special assignment pitching instructor...

A few leftovers from the Winter Meetings

A few leftovers from the Winter Meetings
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - While the Orioles fielded trade offers for their star third baseman and top relievers at this week's Winter Meetings, they also checked on the level of interest in designated hitter Mark Trumbo. The Orioles are open to moving Trumbo and freeing up the designated hitter spot while he has two years and $26 million remaining on his contract. One source said teams counterpunched with the request that the Orioles absorb a portion of the remaining money. Trumbo led the...

Castillo signs with White Sox

Castillo signs with White Sox
The Orioles veered away from an organizational philosophy last winter when they including a $7 million player option for 2018 in catcher Welington Castillo's free agent contract. They didn't refer to it as an opt-out clause, but it basically played as one. Castillo declined the option, as expected, and he agreed to terms today on a two-year, $15 million deal with the White Sox. His latest contract comes with an $8 million team option for 2020. A .282/.323/.490 slash line with 20 home runs in...

Orioles extend offers to entire coaching staff

Orioles extend offers to entire coaching staff
The entire Orioles coaching staff has been invited to return for the 2018 season. Contracts were being sent out tonight, according to multiple sources. The deals are for one year. Orioles manager Buck Showalter had expressed a desire to keep the staff intact and the process unfolded today. The coaches have the freedom to decline the offers extended to them, but everyone is expected to come back. They just need to sign and return the contracts. Bench coach John Russell, hitting coach Scott...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Four teams have managerial vacancies and none of them are expected to interview Orioles bench coach John Russell. Lots of names are surfacing as candidates for jobs with the Red Sox, Tigers, Mets and Phillies. Alex Cora is a popular one. It seems like only a matter of time before he gets an opportunity. Meanwhile, Russell never seems to be given consideration despite annual endorsements from Orioles manager Buck Showalter. Russell spent three seasons as Pirates manager from 2008-2010 and his...

What they're saying about Castillo, Givens, Schoop and Mancini

What they're saying about Castillo, Givens, Schoop and Mancini
The Orioles liked Welington Castillo's bat when they signed him, and trusted that his 10 passed balls last season that tied for the National League lead weren't a true reflection of his defensive skills and whether he was reliable late in games with runners in scoring position. Castillo has done a solid job, especially considering his abbreviated spring training due to his participation in the World Baseball Classic, and right shoulder tendinitis and a testicular injury that twice forced him...

Showalter on O'Day's return and more (O's down 15-5)

Showalter on O'Day's return and more (O's down 15-5)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter had another early wake-up call this morning to catch his flight from Dallas to Tampa following the birth of his first grandchild. Daughter Allie had a boy, Winston, who weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce. "I had to fight emotions a lot," Showalter said. "I remember holding my daughter like that. I was afraid I was going to drop it." Showalter wasn't going to drop his guard in front of the media. He wasn't going to get emotional as he sat in the...

Orioles on the road and back in division

Orioles on the road and back in division
If the Orioles are looking to get healthy, and not only from an injury standpoint, taking their act on the road would seem to be counterproductive. Sort of like trying to line the batter's box under water. Wins at any locale haven't been plentiful, but the Orioles are 11-23 away from Camden Yards. They're starting a three-game series tonight at Tropicana Field, with manager Buck Showalter returning to them, and they'll fly to Toronto for three more after Monday's off-day. Heading into last...

Russell on the bullpen, an 18-game streak and more (O's down 5-2)

Russell on the bullpen, an 18-game streak and more (O's down 5-2)
Orioles bench coach John Russell has substituted in the past for manager Buck Showalter. He isn't wandering into new territory. His greatest challenge tonight? "Make sure Buck has some pitching for tomorrow," he said. "I think that's the big thing. Make sure Roger (McDowell) and I try to run the bullpen to where we feel like we've got a good opportunity for the next few days, because one game can affect a team for the next four or five games. We've had a little bit of struggles and our...

Russell on Showalter: "Pretty happy grandfather"

Russell on Showalter: "Pretty happy grandfather"
Orioles manager Buck Showalter and wife Angela are the proud grandparents of a 9-pound, 1-ounce boy. Daughter Allie is doing fine. Showalter flew into Dallas early this morning. Bench coach John Russell, who's serving as interim manager tonight, exchanged text messages with Showalter. Included was a photo of Angela holding the baby and Showalter sitting next to them. "Pretty happy grandfather," Russell said. "He's doing fine. I don't know if he quite made it for the actual birth, but I...