Revisiting some of the most memorable moments in camp

Revisiting some of the most memorable moments in camp
The Ed Smith Stadium complex remains open to non-roster players. The rehabbing, the recovered, the recent international signing. Media and fans aren't allowed inside. One way we can relate to the 40-man crew. The minor league camp opens on Feb. 28 for pitchers and catchers - and perhaps media and fans. All of the details haven't been worked out. We're stuck waiting to find out whether major league spring training already will be in motion. Commissioner Rob Manfred stated it must run a...

Orioles won't repeat Fowler pursuit

Orioles won't repeat Fowler pursuit
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - We won't get fooled again. Not that it's going to surprise anyone who's been paying close attention, but the Orioles don't expect to solve their right field riddle by plugging in free agent Dexter Fowler. Fowler is drawing serious interest from multiple teams, including the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Giants, and should easily hurdle the three-year, $33 million offer laid out by the Orioles in spring training. An offer they felt had gotten them Fowler before he reversed...

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...

A look at some of the available corner outfielders

A look at some of the available corner outfielders
With the Orioles in the market for at least one corner outfielder, let's look at a few free agents the team could pursue. There is also the trade market, but there is no way to know which players are available through that avenue. Dexter Fowler: After the deal that turned out not to be a deal last winter and the hard feelings that resulted, you have to wonder if the Orioles would even travel down this road again. But putting that aside for a moment, Fowler seems a perfect fit in several...

Comparing offseason Trumbo to Davis

Comparing offseason Trumbo to Davis
Is Mark Trumbo the 2016 offseason version of Chris Davis? There are the obvious differences, including Davis' ability to land a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Orioles. Trumbo is lined up for a significant bump in salary, but not to the same degree. Certainly not with the Orioles, whose payroll would crumble like a jelly donut in Sidney Ponson's pants pocket. (I seriously have nothing against Ponson, but I've convinced myself that I'll drop dead if I don't make one joke a year....

Should the Orioles revisit pursuit of Dexter Fowler?

Should the Orioles revisit pursuit of Dexter Fowler?
When it comes to outfielder Dexter Fowler and the Orioles, has that bridge been burned? Could the soon-to-be free agent and the Orioles talk contract again after what happened in February? First a quick review. It was reported on Feb. 23 that Fowler had agreed to a three-year deal with the Orioles worth $33 million. The O's had obtained a right fielder and leadoff hitter - or so they thought. Two days later, Fowler was still a Chicago Cub, where he went on to have a solid season, ending it...

This, that and the other (updated)

This, that and the other (updated)
The news that bullpen coach Dom Chiti is returning to the Braves is unsettling to an organization that values his work and his relationship with the pitchers on the staff. Not only the relievers. All of the pitchers. Losing pitching coach Dave Wallace is a big blow, but at least the Orioles were braced for it. And they held out hope that he'd remain with them in a different capacity that allowed him to spend more time with his family. That ship also sailed. The immediate reaction on Twitter...

Union head Tony Clark visits camp

Union head Tony Clark visits camp
SARASOTA, Fla. - Players Association leader Tony Clark is making the rounds again this spring, his latest stop coming this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He's headed to Bradenton later today to address the Pirates. The collective bargaining agreement ends on Dec. 1, which places greater importance on Clark's visits. Hot topics this morning included the qualifying offer, which players want to see eliminated. The Dexter Fowler fiasco, which Clark blamed on the "race to be...

Adam Jones on Dexter Fowler's decision to re-sign with Cubs

Adam Jones on Dexter Fowler's decision to re-sign with Cubs
SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Jones sat at his locker this morning and waited for the wave of reporters to roll in, the Dexter Fowler controversy still fresh and relevant. Fowler indicated to Jones on Wednesday that he was headed to Sarasota. He ended up in Arizona yesterday, back with the Cubs and insisting that he never had an agreement with the Orioles. "I know him personally, so it's good," Jones said. "We're moving on. We've moved on, he's moved on. "We've got a big day ahead of us today....

A take on the statement from Casey Close and a possible in-house right field candidate

A take on the statement from Casey Close and a possible in-house right field candidate
We probably won't get any answers from outfielder Dexter Fowler or agent Casey Close of Excel Sports Management on these questions, but we can still wonder about some of them. * If Fowler and Close sought an opt-out clause, why were they negotiating with one team that has said it will not provide one? In his statement last night, Close said, "Both the Orioles front office and members of the media were so busy recklessly spreading rumors that they forgot or simply chose not to concern...

Orioles sifting through right field possibilities

Orioles sifting through right field possibilities
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dexter Fowler won't be playing right field for the Orioles. Agent Casey Close won't be attending their next cookout. Tough day yesterday. The lingering question, besides trying to figure out why Close waited two days to deny the agreement and torch the Orioles and media, is who's joining Adam Jones and Hyun Soo Kim in the outfield on opening day? The Orioles are kicking around ideas, including just letting the in-house candidates fight for the job. Manager Buck Showalter...

Dan Duquette responds to Casey Close's statement

Dan Duquette responds to Casey Close's statement
SARASOTA, Fla. - Not only did the Orioles receive the news earlier today that outfielder Dexter Fowler decided to re-sign with his old team, they later absorbed thunderous blows from his agent via a statement. Casey Close didn't pull any punches. And Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, in a much calmer but firm tone, didn't take them lying down. Fowler shocked the industry, at least outside Cubs camp, but showing up today and signing a one-year, $8 million contract that includes a...

Gallardo's press conference and Duquette's comments on Fowler

Gallardo's press conference and Duquette's comments on Fowler
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today was supposed to be about Yovani Gallardo's first workout with the Orioles and the press conference introducing him to the local media. We'll start there before returning to the Dexter Fowler circus. Stay with me. "It's a great group from what I learned today," Gallardo said while sitting between manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette. "They did a great job. They made me feel comfortable and welcome here in the clubhouse. I'm excited. I'm...

More on Dexter Fowler and the deal that wasn't

More on Dexter Fowler and the deal that wasn't
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dexter Fowler is telling reporters at the Cubs spring training complex that he never had an agreement with the Orioles. Meanwhile, multiple sources confirmed on Tuesday that the deal was completed. One person in the organization told me, "It's done." It's become evident that Fowler wanted a shorter deal - he agreed to one year and a mutual option with the Cubs - or an opt-out clause. The Orioles weren't going to surrender their compensatory draft pick under those...

Dexter Fowler throws Orioles curveball by signing with Cubs (updated)

Dexter Fowler throws Orioles curveball by signing with Cubs (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - With an hour remaining before the Orioles hold their press conference for new pitcher Yovani Gallardo, news broke that outfielder Dexter Fowler re-signed with the Cubs. This has been anything but a normal spring training. The Orioles had an agreement with Fowler on a three-year deal worth $33 million, according to multiple sources. It was done Tuesday. Now comes word that he signed a one-year deal with the Cubs that includes a mutual option. Fowler reportedly will receive $8...

Chris Davis on the latest additions

Chris Davis on the latest additions
SARASOTA, Fla. - When Chris Davis agreed to terms on a new seven-year contract with the Orioles last month, the roster didn't include pitcher Yovani Gallardo and outfielder Dexter Fowler. It was a work in progress, and the club gets much busier after players report to spring training. Gallardo agreed to a restructured two-year deal with an option that guarantees $22 million and could max out at $33 million. His press conference is being held this afternoon and will air live on MASN at 1:30...

Efren Navarro designated for assignment

Efren Navarro designated for assignment
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have designated outfielder/first baseman Efren Navarro for assignment to make room for pitcher Yovani Gallardo on the 40-man roster. The Gallardo deal is official. The Orioles issued the news release and are setting up his press conference in the media workroom. Gallardo will be in uniform and participate in his first workout today as the tarp comes off the Camden Yards replica field following yesterday's series of storms. Since 2009, Gallardo ranks seventh in...

Orioles roster comes more into focus with Gallardo and Fowler

Orioles roster comes more into focus with Gallardo and Fowler
SARASOTA, Fla. - It's time to revisit the Orioles' offseason grades. Revisit and revise. The lineup is set with Dexter Fowler expected to take his physical this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The rotation is set with Yovani Gallardo agreeing to a restructured two-year deal that includes an option for 2018. Hyun Soo Kim is projected as the left fielder. Mark Trumbo is projected as the regular designated hitter, capable of filling in at first base and the outfield corners. Matt...

A take on the Orioles' restructured deal with pitcher Yovani Gallardo

A take on the Orioles' restructured deal with pitcher Yovani Gallardo
While the deals are not officially completed, it sure looks like this time we can safely say the Orioles have indeed added a starting pitcher and outfielder. For the second night in a row, MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko was the first to report an agreement. This time he reported it is a two-year deal with a team option for a third season with pitcher Yovani Gallardo after last night's three-year agreement with outfielder Dexter Fowler. Whatever the Orioles' concerns were or are about...