Still waiting for Orioles to make their next move

Still waiting for Orioles to make their next move
Orioles manager Buck Showalter flew into Baltimore yesterday, in case you're tracking his every move. Maybe he missed the snow. As I wrote earlier this week, Showalter is going to meet with managing partner Peter G. Angelos about a variety of topics. He's not making a special trip to discuss executive vice president Dan Duquette. However, the Blue Jays' continued interest in Duquette will come up. The word "compensation" figures to be used during their conversation. It would make a good...

Some thoughts on Tillman, Hunter and Young

Some thoughts on Tillman, Hunter and Young
SARASOTA, Fla. - My rental car is a maroon Camaro. My "suite" is so small, there's no floor or closet space for my suitcase and I need to step out of the room to change my mind. You take the good with the bad at Orioles minicamp. My interest level has increased with the news that Chris Tillman and Tommy Hunter are in Sarasota. Tillman was expected to meet with pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti later this week in California. What does it say about Tillman and Hunter,...

Quick updates on Young and Rasmus

Quick updates on Young and Rasmus
Outfielder Delmon Young reached agreement on his one-year deal on Dec. 24. He completed most of his physical yesterday and just needed his bloodwork done today. However, we still don't have an announcement from the Orioles and it may not come until Friday. The last time that I checked, the Orioles still were waiting to hear back from the doctors. They also were working to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. It's possible that the deal will be made official later tonight, but you reach a point...

Young passes physical and signs contract (with Duquette quote)

Young passes physical and signs contract (with Duquette quote)
The Orioles' one-year deal with outfielder Delmon Young finally became official today. Young passed his physical and signed his contract, which guarantees $2.25 million and could reach $3 million with incentives. Young agreed to terms on Dec. 24 and took most of his physical on Wednesday, with his bloodwork done the following day. It's been a process due to the holidays and a prolonged wait for the Orioles to hear from the doctors and get the paperwork completed. The Orioles signed Young to a...

Orioles reach agreement with Arencibia on minor league deal (updated)

Orioles reach agreement with Arencibia on minor league deal (updated)
Perhaps concluding their search for catching depth, the Orioles have reached agreement with J.P. Arencibia on a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training, according to a source. Arencibia, who turned 29 earlier this week, also can play first base. He's made 21 starts at the position. Arencibia is a career .207/.255/.403 hitter over five major league seasons, the first four with the Blue Jays, and batted .177/.239/.369 last year in 63 games with the Rangers. He's hit 74...

Young signing expected today

Young signing expected today
The Orioles are expected later today to announce the signing of outfielder Delmon Young to a one-year contract. Young agreed to terms Dec. 24 on a deal that guarantees him $2.25 million and includes a possible $750,000 in incentives. Who comes off the 40-man roster to make room? Stay tuned. Here's the roster again. Give me your prediction: Pitchers Tim Berry Brad Brach Zach Britton Dylan Bundy Wei-Yin Chen Oliver Drake Eddie Gamboa Jason Garcia Kevin Gausman Miguel Gonzalez Tommy...

More on Hall of Fame voting and Delmon Young

More on Hall of Fame voting and Delmon Young
Yesterday's Hall of Fame announcement was followed by the usual kicking and screaming over how the voters got it wrong again by denying players accused of cheating. Or they got it right by excluding those players. Either way, lots and lots of kicking and screaming. Always a good time. What's worse, deserving players failing to receive the required number of votes, or Darin Erstad receiving one? I'm going with the latter. That's what makes a mockery of the process. Next time, just sell your...

Some position player stats and notes, plus a list of the top remaining free agents

Some position player stats and notes, plus a list of the top remaining free agents
In a recent post, I took a look at the Orioles' solid pitching rotation and how some of the hurlers fared during the 2014 season. Today, here are some notes and stats looking back on some of the key Orioles position players from 2014. Chris Davis: While he hit nearly 100 points lower in 2014 (.196 after .286 in 2013), Davis hit under .200 against both left- (.188) and right-handed pitching (.199). He also hit under .200 both before (.199) and after (.189) the All-Star break. Davis hit two...

Young taking physical next week

Young taking physical next week
Having reached agreement with Delmon Young on a one-year deal on Christmas Eve, the Orioles still need the outfielder to take his physical before they can make it official. The Orioles knew that the physical wouldn't get done before Jan. 1. I was told today that Young will take it on Wednesday in Baltimore. No rush, I suppose. Team officials are confident that Young's physical won't turn up anything that could nix the deal. It's pretty much a formality. Young is guaranteed $2.25 million and...

What's next for the Orioles?

What's next for the Orioles?
Now that we've made it past the holidays, the Orioles could make a flurry of moves before opening day. Not a blizzard. The plow won't be driving through your neighborhood. But the baseball forecast in Baltimore is calling for flurries. The Delmon Young signing is just one of the moves. The Orioles will add at least one left-handed bat for the outfield, with Colby Rasmus the current favorite if manager Buck Showalter is satisfied with their meeting. A catcher and right-handed reliever also...

Projecting the 2015 opening day lineup

Projecting the 2015 opening day lineup
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone around Birdland. Hope this is your best Christmas ever. Thanks again to the loyal readers here at MASNsports.com. I am thankful 365 days a year that you come here and read this blog. What a great community of Orioles fans and and I hope today and every day is special for you. With yesterday's news that the Orioles have agreed to a new contract with Delmon Young, let's take one moment for a quick baseball thought today. Let's take a look at a...

Orioles reach agreement with Delmon Young on one-year deal

Orioles reach agreement with Delmon Young on one-year deal
The Orioles can cross another item off their winter shopping list, having reached agreement with free agent outfielder Delmon Young on a one-year contract. The deal is pending a physical, which will be completed after the New Year, according to a source. He's guaranteed $2.25 million and can reach $3 million in incentives. Young, 29, was seeking a multi-year deal after batting .302/.337/.442 with 11 doubles, seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 83 games. His first preference was to re-sign with the...

"Because You Asked - Lost in New York"

"Because You Asked - Lost in New York"
I'm a day late for the big Festivus celebration - now I'm stuck with that pole I ordered from Amazon.com - but it's always an appropriate time for the airing of the grievances. I'll start with how I keep answering the same questions over and over as if I'm typing in invisible print. (It's not really a major gripe for me, but I'm tying together two themes here, so please ride it out.) Folks seem to enjoy a good holiday movie sequel, though my screenplay for "It's A Wonderful Life II"...

Trying to decide on the roster in December

Trying to decide on the roster in December
As we approach the Christmas holiday, the Orioles still have lots of work to do on their roster unless they're committed to starting Alejandro De Aza or David Lough in left field and Steve Pearce in right. Executive vice president Dan Duquette wanted two more outfielders - one who batted from the left side and one who batted from the right. He wanted another catcher to improve the depth, though he's got four on the 40-man roster. And if the season started today, manager Buck Showalter...

Get in the holiday spirit with four "Orioles Classics" this week

Get in the holiday spirit with four "Orioles Classics" this week
Happy Holidays from the MASNsports.com staff! As the new year approaches, we wanted to give you another opportunity to watch four of the greatest Orioles games from this past season, including all three games from the American League Division Series. So sit back, relax, enjoy friends and family and watch some baseball! Here's what's on deck this week: Thursday, Dec. 25, 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Our Christmas present for you is an opportunity to watch the Orioles' playoff sweep of...

Agent says Orioles remain in play for Young

Agent says Orioles remain in play for Young
The agent for Delmon Young indicated today that the veteran outfielder isn't close to making a decision on where to sign, but he said the Orioles "absolutely" remain in play. "Everything has been very positive," said Joel Wolfe of Wasserman Media Group, who met with the Orioles during the Winter Meetings in San Diego. "They value Delmon and realize what he brings to the table, and hopefully it's just a matter of getting it right." Wolfe wouldn't discuss specifics of the negotiations,...

Throwback Thursday: Young's memorable moment in Baltimore

Throwback Thursday: Young's memorable moment in Baltimore
In the Orioles' search for an outfielder, they have said that they would like to re-sign Delmon Young. Young's bat was the O's secret weapon off the bench all season, so when the Birds were down by two runs with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the American League Division series, Buck Showalter decided to pinch-hit Young. We all know what happened next. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Watch Young's bases-clearing double in the video below and check back...

Orioles' outfield search continues, Phillies offered Byrd and Howard

Orioles' outfield search continues, Phillies offered Byrd and Howard
As Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette rushed to the airport in San Diego following the Rule 5 draft - we were on the same flight and he willingly chose a middle seat next to other team officials, while I grabbed an aisle seat and let everyone bump into my shoulder at least once - he didn't sound like a man who expected to strike a deal over the weekend. Duquette joked that I only asked whether he felt an agreement might be close so I'd know if it was safe to make plans. One phone...

Day Four of the Winter Meetings

Day Four of the Winter Meetings
SAN DIEGO - We've reached the finish line of the 2014 Winter Meetings at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. The Rule 5 draft will be held at 9 a.m. PST, followed by a frantic race to the airport. It's a mad, mad, mad, mad baseball world. The Orioles apparently will head home with a selection in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft and possibly a pick in the Triple-A phase. Last year, they took Michael Almanzar and Julio Borbon. The earth didn't shake. The only real excitement generated by...

Duquette: "We're not about signing high-profile free agents"

Duquette: "We're not about signing high-profile free agents"
SAN DIEGO - The cash continues to flow at the Winter Meetings at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Free agents are signing for big bucks, just as they did before executives flew to the West Coast, leaving some officials and scouts shaking their heads and wondering just how much higher the salaries can climb. "Can you believe some of the money these guys are getting for a couple outs?" asked Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette. Duquette says none of it impacts what the Orioles want to do...