This, that and the other (with salary update)

This, that and the other (with salary update)
Last night's trade of shortstop José Iglesias was the shocker among a series of moves made by the Orioles. The one transaction that dropped jaws after they picked up his $3.5 million option a month ago. Hanser Alberto was a strong non-tender candidate and the Orioles sent him into the free agent market. They were more inclined to hold onto infielders Yolmer Sánchez and Pat Valaika and reliever Shawn Armstrong. They had no intention of non-tendering outfielders Trey Mancini and Anthony...

Another spring training memory from the Orioles beat

Another spring training memory from the Orioles beat
The regular season for the Orioles should be four games old. A home series against the Yankees completed and the middle game pending in a home series against the Red Sox. The first trip to St. Louis since 2003 was supposed to happen over the weekend, followed by a four-game series in the Bronx. Instead, the coronavirus pandemic has left us wondering if there will be a 2020 season and whether the Orioles will return to Sarasota for a second version of spring training. The Ed Smith Stadium...

Minors notes on Stowers, Clark and Minor

Minors notes on Stowers, Clark and Minor
The Winter Meetings are providing opportunities for Orioles prospects to find out what all the commotion is about and sharpen their interview skills with the beat crew. Shortstop Cadyn Grenier visited the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas last December because he lived about 10 minutes away and couldn't pass up the opportunity, which included an introduction with executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. Outfielder Kyle Stowers, a California native chosen with the 71st...

Is Mallee a candidate to join Orioles?

Is Mallee a candidate to join Orioles?
The Orioles handled the task this week of notifying three coaches that they wouldn't have their contracts renewed for the 2020 season. The first steps toward making changes. Steps that were bound to happen, though the challenge was identifying the impacted members of the staff. Up next are interviews with candidates that should begin in a couple of days. A procedure that's keeping manager Brandon Hyde in Baltimore. What's known at the present time is that first base coach/outfield instructor...

Orioles decline to renew contract of bullpen coach John Wasdin

Orioles decline to renew contract of bullpen coach John Wasdin
The Orioles made a third and perhaps final change to their coaching staff this afternoon. Bullpen coach John Wasdin has been notified that he won't be invited back in 2020, according to a source. Wasdin, 47, joins first base coach/outfield instructor Arnie Beyeler and assistant hitting coach Howie Clark, who learned yesterday that their contracts wouldn't be renewed. All three coaches were working on one-year deals after the Orioles hired Brandon Hyde as manager in December. Adjustments to...

Beyeler and Clark won't return to Orioles coaching staff in 2020

Beyeler and Clark won't return to Orioles coaching staff in 2020
The Orioles started to make changes to their coaching staff this afternoon. First base coach Arnie Beyeler and assistant hitting coach Howie Clark won't be retained in 2020, according to multiple industry sources. They were working on one-year contracts that won't be renewed next season. Beyeler also served as the outfield instructor, handling two tasks that belonged to Wayne Kirby under previous manager Buck Showalter. Kirby has been hired by the Braves as minor league outfield...

Is it Smith's turn to break out of slump?

Is it Smith's turn to break out of slump?
The presence of left-hander David Price on the mound last night for the Red Sox drove Dwight Smith Jr. to the bench. Or maybe it was a slump that's gotten control of him. More likely a combination of the two. Right-handers Rick Porcello and Andrew Cashner start the last two games of the series and Smith could get back in the lineup if manager Brandon Hyde is in platoon mode. Hyde has other options, with the roster including switch-hitters Anthony Santander and Stevie Wilkerson. Chris Davis sat...

Orioles lineup vs. Rays

Orioles lineup vs. Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Chance Sisco is batting third and catching tonight as he tries to extend his power run and the Orioles try to avoid being swept at Tropicana Field. Sisco has homered in three of his last four games. Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop with Hanser Alberto at second base. Keon Broxton is in center field. Chris Davis is at first base after homering last night for the first time since May 12. Nothing eye-popping about the lineup. John Means makes his first start since being...

Notes on Cobb, Núñez, Alberto, Castro and Martin

Notes on Cobb, Núñez, Alberto, Castro and Martin
A few thoughts on the Orioles after they completed a 2-4 road trip, playing four consecutive one-run games, and reach another off-day today prior to division battles with the Blue Jays and Red Sox at Camden Yards: The information on starter Alex Cobb is scarce, to say the least. No one is talking much about him, the assumption being that there's nothing new to pass along. Cobb is rehabbing in Sarasota after soreness in his lower back forced him onto the injured list - his third trip since...

Núñez held out of lineup while slump continues (O's down 6-2)

Núñez held out of lineup while slump continues (O's down 6-2)
Figuring out what's wrong with Renato Núñez isn't the complicated part of his slump. It's snapping him out of it. Núñez is missing from the Orioles lineup after another hitless night left him 1-for-27 since May 1. He's 4-for-48 going back to April 24 and hasn't drawn a walk in that period. Health isn't the issue. Núñez could swing the bat while bothered by right biceps soreness that no longer is present. Player and manager agree that he's burrowed too deep inside his...

Ruiz, Núñez and today's series finale

Ruiz, Núñez and today's series finale
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde admits that he knew very little about Rio Ruiz before spring training. Watched him play a few times for the Braves. Noticed a nice swing. That's pretty much the extent of his early scouting report on a player who's become the Orioles regular third baseman. Ruiz went 2-for-3 with his team-leading 11th walk yesterday in Game 1 of a doubleheader, the 16th time in 17 starts that he reached base. His on-base percentage increased to .356. Executive vice president and...

Sucre's arrival, Karns update, Davis' start and more (O's down 4-0)

Sucre's arrival, Karns update, Davis' start and more (O's down 4-0)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Jesús Sucre arrived in the Miami late last night, according to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, and he's expected in camp today. Sucre finally got his work visa and left Venezuela. Hyde estimated that the veteran might need less than a week of workouts before he's ready to play. "I'm going to ask him what he's been doing," Hyde said. "I don't even know really, to be honest with you, how much game stuff he's been doing. But I think realistically four or five...

Getting to know the new coaching staff

Getting to know the new coaching staff
DJ Stewart cut through the media room Saturday at FanFest, spotted Richie Martin and yelled "Noles!" The Rule 5 pick stopped the interview, smiled and replied "Gators!" The trash talk should be fun at spring training. Meanwhile, six of the eight coaches on manager Brandon Hyde's staff participated in FanFest and were introduced to the media. John Wasdin and Howie Clark recognized some of the faces because they already were part of the organization, the former switching from minor league...

Orioles announce coaching staff for 2019 season

Orioles announce coaching staff for 2019 season
The Orioles have unveiled their coaching staff for the 2019 season under new manager Brandon Hyde and it includes one holdover from last summer. Howie Clark returns as assistant hitting coach after the Orioles offered him a minor league contract following the expiration of his previous deal on Oct. 31. He'll work with new hitting coach Don Long, who spent the past five seasons with the Reds and replaces Scott Coolbaugh. Tim Cossins has been named major league field coordinator and catching...

Checking on the coaches

Checking on the coaches
Have the Orioles completed their coaching staff for the 2019 season? They seem to be done as long as the latest names to surface are accurate and there isn't a sudden change of plans. I'm hearing that Howie Clark is likely to return after serving as assistant hitting coach for the past two seasons. He was offered a minor league contract after his deal expired on Oct. 31, but he's in line to be included on manager Brandon Hyde's staff. Clark served as Single-A Delmarva's hitting coach in...

Elias influence already heavy in Orioles organization

Elias influence already heavy in Orioles organization
The appeal of bringing in Mike Elias as the head of baseball operations for the Orioles centered on his deep background in scouting and player development. His experience working the international market. His familiarity with analytics and an unwavering belief that they must be incorporated in today's game in order to be competitive. The man has been entrusted with a variety of responsibilities over the years in the Cardinals and Astros organizations, and his fingerprints will cover the...

More minors, Hyde and Mancini

More minors, Hyde and Mancini
The Orioles haven't made any decisions regarding their minor league staffs with so much other work to be done, including the hiring of major league coaches to pair with new manager Brandon Hyde. Triple-A Norfolk doesn't have a manager after the Orioles decided to part ways with Ron Johnson. They could promote from within, perhaps elevating Gary Kendall from Double-A Bowie, or seek an outside hire. Pitching coach Mike Griffin remains under contract and could stay with the Tides or be...

Mills and Clark remain under contract with Orioles

Mills and Clark remain under contract with Orioles
As we move closer to the start of the Winter Meetings, we can rehash the items on the Orioles' shopping list that don't include a new manager and a coaching staff. The need for a middle infielder, with shortstop seemingly the preference. Veteran pitchers who could be plugged into the rotation or bullpen, because no team really has enough. A veteran catcher after Caleb Joseph was non-tendered. Negotiations with Joseph didn't die after the deadline passed. Do the Orioles need to find another...

Orioles extend offers to entire coaching staff

Orioles extend offers to entire coaching staff
The entire Orioles coaching staff has been invited to return for the 2018 season. Contracts were being sent out tonight, according to multiple sources. The deals are for one year. Orioles manager Buck Showalter had expressed a desire to keep the staff intact and the process unfolded today. The coaches have the freedom to decline the offers extended to them, but everyone is expected to come back. They just need to sign and return the contracts. Bench coach John Russell, hitting coach Scott...

Minor update on major league coaches (and other notes)

Minor update on major league coaches (and other notes)
There's no real update on the Orioles coaching staff, but I can offer a little clarity on the situation. Not all of the contracts expire on Tuesday. The coaches who came up from the minor league system have deals that run through the end of the year. Third base coach Bobby Dickerson, bullpen coach Alan Mills and assistant hitting coach Howie Clark fall into the latter category. Dickerson was minor league infield coordinator before replacing DeMarlo Hale in December 2012. Mills was Double-A...