O's Dan Duquette on Chris Davis

O's Dan Duquette on Chris Davis
NASHVILLE - Is decision day for Chris Davis and the Orioles coming soon? The answer may well be yes, at least from the club's side. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met with Scott Boras, Davis' agent, this afternoon here at the Winter Meetings. There doesn't seem to be any indication that the sides are close to an agreement. At the same time, if the O's can't or don't get Davis, they may need to move on and address other needs. During his one-on-one interview today with...

Orioles add one, lose two players in minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft

Orioles add one, lose two players in minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft
SAN DIEGO - The Orioles lost two players and added one today in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft. Unlike the major league phase, these players don't have to stay on any roster all year to stick with the club. They now belong to the selecting team and can be assigned to any minor league level. The Orioles selected outfielder Sean Halton from the Brewers organization. Halton, 27, hit .293/.342/.435 with 29 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 63 RBIs in 122 games with Nashville....

Orioles sign Kyle Hudson to minor league deal

Orioles sign Kyle Hudson to minor league deal
If the Orioles lose Trayvon Robinson on a waiver claim, they may have another outfielder to take his place in the minors. The Orioles signed Kyle Hudson to a minor league deal yesterday. His contract doesn't include a spring training invite, so he'll report to the Twin Lakes Park complex. Kent Qualls, the Orioles' new director of minor league operations, confirmed the signing today when reached by phone. "Some of our people in the organization like him a lot, "Qualls said. "He's...

A few notes from the Shorebirds banquet

A few notes from the Shorebirds banquet
I'm expecting a quiet Sunday, as executive vice president Dan Duquette and new director of minor league operations Kent Qualls fly to the Dominican Republic to check out some of their Latin players at the club's year-round developmental program. Qualls has strong ties to Duquette. He spent 16 years with the Expos and Red Sox, primarily working in scouting, player development and Latin American operations, and he was named director of the NIKE Dan Duquette Sport Academy when it opened in...

Duquette talks about changes at top of O's player development operation

Duquette talks about changes at top of O's player development operation
The Orioles today announced a restructuring of their player development staff. Kent Qualls was officially named director of minor league operations, where he will oversee the business operations of the player development department. Brian Graham has been promoted from coordinator of minor league instruction to director of player development. As director of player personnel, John Stockstill will now also oversee international and domestic professional scouting. A few moments ago I spoke with...

Orioles looking to add Qualls to baseball operations staff

Orioles looking to add Qualls to baseball operations staff
The Orioles are in the process of hiring former Boston Red Sox farm director Kent Qualls as part of their minor league baseball operations staff, according to multiple industry sources. The hiring isn't official and the Orioles aren't expected to announce their minor league staffs, including managers and coaches, until after the holidays. From what I'm hearing, Qualls mostly would be involved in the administrative side of the department, including contracts and expenses. Many of those...