The Thames deal and wondering if Carter may impact Trumbo

The Thames deal and wondering if Carter may impact Trumbo
The Orioles are known to check the Korean Baseball Organization for potential fits on their pitching staff and in their lineup, but they passed on outfielder Eric Thames, who signed a three-year deal with the Brewers. Let's go over this again. Eric Thames received a three-year deal from a major league team that includes an option for a fourth season and reportedly is worth $16 million guaranteed after posting a .250/.296/.431 slash line in 181 career games with the Blue Jays and Mariners. The...

Will the Orioles have a tough call on Vance Worley?

Will the Orioles have a tough call on Vance Worley?
Right-hander Vance Worley was valuable for the 2016 Orioles. He could pitch as a starter or a reliever. He could pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen. He could get out both left- and right-handed batters. He could sit idle for days, then come into a game and be effective. But will the Orioles even make Worley a contract offer for the 2017 season? He is arbitration-eligible and MLBTradeRumors.com projects he would earn $3.3 million in arbitration. The Orioles could non-tender Worley and...

Nats watch as Cespedes returns to Mets for reported $110 million

Nats watch as Cespedes returns to Mets for reported $110 million
If the Nationals are going to bolster their lineup with another right-handed slugger, they'll have to find somebody other than Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes agreed to a new deal with the Mets today, returning to New York for four years and $110 million, according to a host of reports. The 31-year-old outfielder had signed a three-year, $75 million with the Mets last winter but enacted an opt-out clause at the end of the season, making him a free agent and ultimately earning him a hefty raise. The...

Could the Nationals pursue another big bat this winter?

Could the Nationals pursue another big bat this winter?
The Nationals' top needs this winter are fairly clear-cut. They need a closer, whether they re-sign Mark Melancon or acquire someone else. They need a catcher, whether they bring back the rehabbing Wilson Ramos, give Pedro Severino a chance or look outside the organization. They need to decide whether Trea Turner is their center fielder or shortstop, and address any domino effects of that decision. Here, though, is a less clear-cut question currently facing the Nationals front office as the...

McFarland optioned to Norfolk

McFarland optioned to Norfolk
The Orioles optioned left-hander T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk today while activating shortstop J.J. Hardy and starter Yovani Gallardo from the disabled list. This completes the roster moves for today. Mike Wright was optioned last night following a 13-3 loss to the Blue Jays. McFarland is 1-2 with a 5.14 ERA in 13 games with the Orioles. Opponents are batting .313 against him. McFarland no longer is a candidate to start Wednesday night against the Padres unless he's replacing an injured...

Of all the misses this winter, which player would have helped the most?

Of all the misses this winter, which player would have helped the most?
From a perception standpoint, it hasn't been a most favorable winter for the Nationals. A dugout brawl between eventual National League MVP Bryce Harper and hothead Jonathan Papelbon in the final days of the season set the stage for piling on. But general manager Mike Rizzo strapped up and went for it, attempting to make a statement that the Nationals were still the big, bad boys to contend with in the NL East. The problem was that nobody bought it. First, they reportedly swung and missed...

Yoenis Cespedes chooses Mets over Nats, agreeing to three-year deal

Yoenis Cespedes chooses Mets over Nats, agreeing to three-year deal
The balance of power in the National League East shifted considerably late Friday as slugger Yoenis Cespedes signed with the Mets over the Nationals. Washington had reportedly offered Cespedes a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $100 million. But according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, Cespedes opted for a three-year contract with the Mets worth $75 million that includes an opt-out after the 2016 season. The Nationals held a three-game lead over the Mets late last July when New York...

Because You Asked - Seventh Inning Fetch

Because You Asked - Seventh Inning Fetch
It's sequel time here at School of Roch, as I deliver the latest installment of "Because You Asked." The question keep pouring in and I do my best to answer them as many times as humanly possible. I'm giving you one-stop shopping this morning, but we're out of milk and bread. Do the Orioles still have their offer on the table to Yoenis Cespedes? This one became outdated late last night after Cespedes agreed to a three-year, $75 million deal with the Mets that included an opt-out after one...

If Nats land Yoenis Cespedes, how is Jayson Werth affected?

If Nats land Yoenis Cespedes, how is Jayson Werth affected?
Last season, the National League East seemingly was decided by one player. OK, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the Mets' addition of Yoenis Cespedes minutes before the trade deadline completely changed the complexion of their lineup. New York went from a bottom of the barrel offense to pouring in runs behind Cespedes' violent bat. The Nationals inquired about a trade with the Tigers for Cespedes as well, but the slugger ended up with the Mets. New York evened up the division with a...

Yo! Are the Nationals serious about Cespedes?

Yo! Are the Nationals serious about Cespedes?
When the Nationals made a serious run at Jason Heyward in December - reportedly offering a $200 million deal to the three-time Gold Glove Award winner - there was clear indication they intended on upgrading the outfield in 2016. There was some chatter about a potential trade with Colorado for Carlos Gonzalez, but not much connected the Nationals to this winter's other two major free agent outfielders, Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes. It seemed even less likely the Nationals would get involved...

Nationals reportedly have interest in Yoenis Cespedes

Nationals reportedly have interest in Yoenis Cespedes
The one-year anniversary of the Nationals shocking the baseball world by signing right-hander Max Scherzer to blockbuster seven-year, $210 million contract just passed. At the time, the deal had many scratching their heads, with the Nats already boasting the National League's top rotation from top to bottom. Fast-forward to this January and rumors of another free agent signing has left some baffled. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the Nationals showed interest in Justin Upton before...

Thoughts on Fowler, Fister, Cespedes and remaining arbitration eligibles

Thoughts on Fowler, Fister, Cespedes and remaining arbitration eligibles
This is the time of year when the Orioles are linked to just about every free agent on the market, no matter the position or potential cost. The speculation intensifies if the player actually matches a need. The Orioles continue their search for an outfielder, with right field the preference but not necessarily a requirement. Though Hyun Soo Kim projects more as a left fielder due to his arm, the club doesn't want to limit it's choices by making that decision in January. Dexter Fowler has...

On offense, there are plenty of similarities between Yoenis Cespedes and Adam Jones

On offense, there are plenty of similarities between Yoenis Cespedes and Adam Jones
Just looking at a stat sheet, Yoenis Cespedes and Adam Jones look like very similar players. If the Orioles signed the free agent outfielder, could they expect Jones-like production from Cespedes? A look at their career stats: Jones: .278 average, .319 OBP, .463 slugging, .781 OPS, 109 OPS+ Cespedes: .271 average, .319 OBP, .486 slugging, .805 OPS, 122 OPS+ Both players are 30. Jones has played eight full seasons in the majors and Cespedes has played four full seasons. Jones has topped a .750...

A look at the O's current payroll obligations and a Yoenis Cespedes take

A look at the O's current payroll obligations and a Yoenis Cespedes take
Now that new Oriole Mark Trumbo and reliever Brad Brach avoided arbitration and came to agreements on contracts for 2016, we can take another look at a 2016 Orioles payroll projection as of last night. These 10 Orioles have salaries set for the 2016 season: * $16.3 million - Adam Jones * $15.8 million - Matt Wieters * $13.0 million - Ubaldo Jimenez * $12.5 million - J.J. Hardy * $9.15 million - Trumbo * $6.0 million - Darren O'Day * $2.8 million - Hyun Soo Kim * $2.6 million - Vance Worley *...

Orioles make offer to Yoenis Cespedes (Brach agrees to terms)

Orioles make offer to Yoenis Cespedes (Brach agrees to terms)
While first baseman Chris Davis remains on the free agent market, the Orioles appear to be focused on Yoenis Cespedes as a potential replacement in the middle of the lineup. The Orioles have made an offer to Cespedes, according to an industry source. No deal is imminent, however, and the market continues to develop. Cespedes hit .291 and posted career highs with 35 home runs and 105 RBIs last season for the Tigers and Mets. He won a Gold Glove for playing left field in the American League,...

Notes on Justin Upton and Miguel Gonzalez

Notes on Justin Upton and Miguel Gonzalez
If Justin Upton is willing to accept a one-year deal and re-enter the free agent market next winter, it's certainly news to his representative. Agent Larry Reynolds told MLB Network's Jon Heyman that he continues to seek a multi-year deal for Upton, one of the few high-profile outfielders who remains unemployed. "We are not considering shorter-term deals at this time," Reynolds said. "The goal has been and will continue to be a long-term contract for Justin Upton." It makes sense, of...

It's too soon for a top free agent to look for a one-year deal

It's too soon for a top free agent to look for a one-year deal
Before the narrative got completely out of hand, Justin Upton's agent put the word out. His client is not currently looking to sign a one-year deal or a short-term deal. It was another "report" that got out that proved to not be accurate. The combination of pressure to be first to report something and the speed with which that something moves via social media had agent Larry Reynolds ready to end such Upton speculation. In November, MLBTradeRumors.com projected that the top free agent...

As list of free agent targets decreases, tension rises for Birdland

As list of free agent targets decreases, tension rises for Birdland
So it seems with each player signing with a team that is not their team, Orioles fans' collective pulses beat a little faster. The tension rises. The concern grows. Coming off last offseason where good players got away and were replaced by lesser ones, fans are worried that it could happen again. To make matters worse, unlike last year, this time the Orioles have made a huge money offer to retain Chris Davis. But even that hasn't worked out so far. Did you ever think you would see a day the...

More thoughts on free agency and the Hall of Fame (Quinn hiring official)

More thoughts on free agency and the Hall of Fame (Quinn hiring official)
With Alex Gordon off the board, it's fair to wonder whether he truly was on the Orioles' radar. They want another left-handed bat. They'd gladly take a four-time Gold Glove outfielder. They'd build a shrine to a hitter with a career .348 on-base percentage over nine seasons. Gordon made sense on many levels, but he came with health concerns that tempered the Orioles' enthusiasm. Where have we heard this before? Gordon missed two months with a groin injury, limiting him to only 104 games....

The free agent outfield market shrinks by one, plus other notes

The free agent outfield market shrinks by one, plus other notes
He didn't get $100 million. He didn't get an opt-out clause. He did get a contract that includes some deferred money. But outfielder Alex Gordon is no longer on the board. He signed a four-year deal worth $72 million to stay with the Kansas City Royals. His combination of a career .348 OBP (it was .377 last year) and his defensive excellence would have looked real good in the Orioles outfield. But despite a recent report that Kansas City had "no chance" to re-sign Gordon, he no doubt had a...