Christmas Because You Asked

Christmas Because You Asked
If visions of sugarplums are dancing in your heads on this Christmas morning, you may want to dilute the eggnog. You also might want to skip the malls in the future and do your one-stop shopping on this blog with all of your Orioles questions. But they tend to repeat like garlic shrimp. Chestnuts are roasting on the hot stove as we stay in a festive mood. Santa has his bag of toys and I have my mailbag. I'm not much of a dancer, but I've gotten Blitzen on eggnog. And so much for a silent...
    

Ranking several free agent pitchers

Ranking several free agent pitchers
Over the last few weeks, we have taken a look at nine different free agent starting pitchers in three different entries here. Today, let's take another look and rank them one through nine. I'm ranking mostly on my opinion of their talent level, while also taking into consideration the contract terms that might be needed to get it done. Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta are not on the list. It would be a real surprise if the Orioles are willing to commit to the years and dollars those two will...
    

Week in review: Talking free agent pitchers, realignment and Chris Tillman

Week in review: Talking free agent pitchers, realignment and Chris Tillman
As we look back at the last week of blog entries in this space, today we welcome more comments on some of those said entries. Monday we reviewed another three free agent pitchers in this space, taking a looking at Tyler Chatwood, Andrew Casher and Miguel González. Chatwood is a right-hander that will be 28 on opening day. While he went 8-15 with a 4.69 ERA for Colorado, he posted much better numbers on the road. That provides hope that a team signing him and getting him out of Coors Field...
    

Orioles and Red Sox lineups

Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Pedro Álvarez is the designated hitter tonight and Austin Hays is in right field, as the Orioles begin their final homestand with a three-game series against the Red Sox. Adam Jones has returned to the lineup and is batting cleanup. Xander Bogaerts is 7-for-20 (.350) with two doubles and a home run against Dylan Bundy. Doug Fister had allowed two runs or fewer in four consecutive starts before surrendering six in four innings against the Athletics on Wednesday. He held the Orioles to two...
    

Andrew Stetka: What could have been with the O's and Miguel Gonzalez

Andrew Stetka: What could have been with the O's and Miguel Gonzalez
While watching the Orioles take on the White Sox this weekend, I started thinking about things that could've been. More specifically, watching Chicago send Miguel Gonzalez to the mound on Friday night made me wonder how we all got here. How is it that the O's decided that Gonzalez wouldn't be a member of the 2016 rotation and went with other options instead? When looking at this picture, it's important not to focus on Friday night's result in a vacuum, but rather the entire package....
    

Gonzalez says he has no hard feelings toward Orioles

Gonzalez says he has no hard feelings toward Orioles
CHICAGO - After pitching in 101 games for the Baltimore Orioles, right-hander Miguel Gonzalez pitched one against them last night. He said today that it was definitely weird to be facing his former team and some of his best friends. Gonzalez gave up four runs (three earned) and 10 hits over six innings as the Orioles beat the White Sox 7-5. After pitching to an ERA of 9.78 in March, the Orioles released Gonzalez at the end of spring training. "It was surprising, that's for sure," Gonzalez...
    

Wieters on facing Gonzalez and starting seven straight games

Wieters on facing Gonzalez and starting seven straight games
CHICAGO - Over the years, the Orioles' Matt Wieters has caught many of Miguel Gonzalez's starts. Tonight, he'll be in the batter's box trying to get a hit off his former teammate when the Orioles begin this three-game series with the Chicago White Sox. In the visiting clubhouse today, Wieters talked about his affection for the right-hander, and it sounded like he meant more as a person and teammate than a pitcher. "He was fun to work with as a pitcher, but he was a great teammate,"...
    

Orioles facing old friend and new foe

Orioles facing old friend and new foe
Miguel Gonzalez is starting tonight against the Orioles in Chicago. We said it wouldn't get weird. Gonzalez hasn't faced the Orioles. Not before they signed him in 2012 and not after they released him in spring training this year. The decision wasn't popular among players, many of them refusing to discuss it publicly. Pitchers that I approached declined comment, saying it was "too soon." Gonzalez is 2-5 with a 4.06 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) this season. He recorded quality starts in all...
    

Showalter pregame in Philadelphia on Kim, Gonzalez and more

Showalter pregame in Philadelphia on Kim, Gonzalez and more
PHILADELPHIA - There is still no resolution to the situation involving the Orioles and outfielder Hyun Soo Kim. The Orioles would like to send him to the minors to the start the season. But Kim, through his agency, informed the club last night he won't agree to the assignment. Kim is with the Orioles here tonight for the spring training finale in Philadelphia. "He's not starting. We'll see what the game brings," manager Buck Showalter said. Is Showalter now preparing for Kim to start the...
    

Miguel Gonzalez given unconditional release

Miguel Gonzalez given unconditional release
The Orioles officially have parted ways with former starter Miguel Gonzalez. Gonzalez, 31, cleared waivers this afternoon and was given his unconditional release. He becomes a free agent and may sign with any team. Gonzalez was due to make $5.1 million this year after avoiding an arbitration hearing, but the Orioles placed him on release waivers Wednesday before he could embark on his fifth season with the club. Players released by opening day receive 45 days of pay. Projected as a fourth or...
    

Chaz Roe placed on waivers (updated)

Chaz Roe placed on waivers (updated)
Sitting on the roster bubble at the beginning of spring training, reliever Chaz Roe has been placed on waivers as the Orioles break camp and head to Philadelphia for tonight's exhibition game. Roe appeared in 10 games this spring and allowed three runs and 12 hits in 11 2/3 innings, with five walks, nine strikeouts and a hit batter. He left camp for a few days for the birth of his second daughter. Roe is out of minor league options. The Orioles have two openings in their bullpen with...
    

Rotation candidates still awaiting their fates

Rotation candidates still awaiting their fates
SARASOTA, Fla. - The camp roster remains at 38 players as the Orioles take the field for batting practice this morning, a total that reflects the removal of former starter Miguel Gonzalez. The club hasn't confirmed it, but Gonzalez is on release waivers. Two pitchers seemingly impacted by Gonzalez's release, right-handers Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson, haven't been told whether they've made the team or how they'd slot into the rotation. Wilson is listed as one of the relievers today behind...
    

Miguel Gonzalez came up big at times for the Orioles (plus minor league promotions info)

Miguel Gonzalez came up big at times for the Orioles (plus minor league promotions info)
When the Orioles ended a run of 14 straight losing seasons and returned to the playoffs in 2012, right-hander Miguel Gonzalez went 9-4 with a 3.25 ERA. He then pitched a gem against the Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, but the O's lost in extra innings. When the Orioles won 96 games and took the American League East in 2014, Gonzalez went 10-9 with a 3.23 ERA. As his tenure with the team has apparently come to an end, we should not forget how good Gonzalez was for most...
    

Dylan Bundy: "It's fun being healthy and out there playing"

Dylan Bundy: "It's fun being healthy and out there playing"
SARASOTA, Fla. - We've reached the end of the Grapefruit League schedule. That light at the end of the tunnel wasn't an oncoming train, though I still feel like I got run over by one. Today's game against the Braves at Ed Smith Stadium may also close out the exhibition schedule if it rains Friday night in Philadelphia. I'm not a meteorologist despite the mistaken assumption by some fans. I have no idea if they'll play. I only know that colleague Steve Melewski is handling it while I fly...
    

Tillman talks about his outing, says little about Gonzalez's release (Tigers edge Orioles)

Tillman talks about his outing, says little about Gonzalez's release (Tigers edge Orioles)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Tigers 2, Orioles 1 Recap: Catcher James McCann hit a solo home run off Chris Tillman leading off the second inning. That was the only run off Tillman in four innings. He allowed three hits, walked three and struck out three. The Tigers scored an unearned run off T.J. McFarland in the fourth on a two-out single, passed ball, infield hit and Manny Machado's throwing error. McFarland worked three innings in his best outing of the spring. Vance Worley retired the Tigers...
    

Buck Showalter on the rotation, Hyun Soo Kim and guys on the bubble

Buck Showalter on the rotation, Hyun Soo Kim and guys on the bubble
SARASOTA, Fla. - While Miguel Gonzalez remains on the waiver wire, Orioles manager Buck Showalter is avoiding the subject until the right-hander's fate is determined. Showalter seems to have settled on his five starters unless there's a late change before rosters are set on Sunday. It likely would have to involve an outsider. Gonzalez's poor outings in the Grapefruit League were part of the reason why the Orioles decided to let him go. Spring training numbers had some influence on decisions...
    

Quick hits before tonight's game

Quick hits before tonight's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Yovani Gallardo is the club's No. 2 starter and will pitch against the Twins on April 6, followed by Ubaldo Jimenez on April. 7. Showalter has figured out the rest of his rotation, but he's not going to reveal it before informing the pitchers. The club needs a fifth starter on April 10 and it won't be Kevin Gausman, who's headed to the disabled list with tendinitis in his right shoulder. Showalter said the Orioles are aiming for...
    

Orioles place Miguel Gonzalez on release waivers

Orioles place Miguel Gonzalez on release waivers
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles won't head north with projected starter Miguel Gonzalez, placing the right-hander on release waivers today. He can become a free agent after 48 hours if he goes unclaimed. An industry source confirmed the move, which comes as teams can cut players and not be on the hook for their full salaries for 2016. Players released by opening day receive 45 days of pay. Gonzalez, 31, agreed to a $5.1 million salary to avoid an arbitration hearing. He's had a disappointing...
    

Showalter on Kim and wrapping up a 4-4 10-inning tie

Showalter on Kim and wrapping up a 4-4 10-inning tie
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he spoke to outfielder Hyun Soo Kim about accepting an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, and they met again today with executive vice president Dan Duquette. The first meeting took place before Kim sat out three straight games, including tonight's 4-4 tie with the Braves. Kim must give his consent before playing in the minors, per a stipulation in his two-year contract. The Orioles are still learning about Kim despite the scouting reports and...
    

Miguel Gonzalez "focused and confident" tonight (Orioles, Braves tie 4-4 in 10)

Miguel Gonzalez "focused and confident" tonight (Orioles, Braves tie 4-4 in 10)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 4, Braves 4 (in 10 innings) Recap: Needing a good start to improve his chances of making the club, Miguel Gonzalez allowed one run and seven hits over five innings - his longest stint of the spring. He walked none, struck out four and hit a batter. Manny Machado led off the bottom of the first inning with his fifth home run. Matt Wieters hit his first home run in the third inning to break a 1-1 tie. It also was his first RBI. Zach Phillips was charged with...