Michael Kelly on rotation chance, Austin Hays on building on 2017

Michael Kelly on rotation chance, Austin Hays on building on 2017
Right-hander Michael Kelly was a minor league free agent this winter, but now he may have a major opportunity. Signed by the Orioles to a major league contract in December on the day of the Rule draft 5, the 25-year-old right-hander is among a handful of in-house rotation candidates. Kelly had other teams showing interest in December, but signed with the Orioles because, like the rest of us, he knew the club had - and still has - just two established pitchers in its rotation. "I truly like the...

Duquette on starting pitching, his contract and more

Duquette on starting pitching, his contract and more
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, appearing at today's FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center, said he's confident that he can add a couple of starting pitchers and is setting March 1 as sort of a deadline to do it. "They're going to need three or four weeks to get ready, so it would be important to get somebody signed up three or four weeks from the start of the season," Duquette said. "So if you work back from the 29th of March, I think March 1 is the date we'd be...

Dickerson on Beckham, Russell on catchers, Coolbaugh on Davis

Dickerson on Beckham, Russell on catchers, Coolbaugh on Davis
The doors to the Baltimore Convention Center open this morning at 10 a.m. for season ticket holders attending the annual FanFest event and 11 a.m. for everyone else. Gauging the crowd's mood will be interesting, given the slow offseason and unexpected absences of star players Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop. Along with the anticipated questions about Machado's status on the team - traded or not traded, shortstop or third baseman - executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck...

Leftovers for breakfast

Leftovers for breakfast
The utility job in Baltimore remains open to a cluster of in-house competitors and the anticipated outsider, the latter's identity remaining a mystery. The Orioles seem to have targeted a specific player. The challenge is getting him under contract. Is it more important than finding three starting pitchers? Not even close. But it's still important. Every team has that guy on its roster. More of them are stressing the expansion of skills to include outfield play, especially if willing to go...

Notes on Hardy, Stewart and Hays

Notes on Hardy, Stewart and Hays
While taking the high road again after my latest Oscar snub ... As the Orioles keep us waiting on their decision regarding the starting shortstop on opening day - Manny Machado, Tim Beckham or a mystery applicant - J.J. Hardy is working out in Arizona and drawing interest from multiple teams. A typical offseason except for the free agency part. Hardy has played only shortstop and therefore doesn't profile as a utility candidate. He wants to be the primary starter at the position, but also get...

Rankings and even more rankings talk

Rankings and even more rankings talk
Yesterday was a big day in prospect land, as Baseball America released its top 100 prospects list and ESPN's Keith Law released his second 50 (subscription required). His top 50 will be released today. For the first time since 2014, the Orioles have three on the Baseball America top 100. Austin Hays was ranked No. 21, with Chance Sisco at No. 68 and Ryan Mountcastle at No. 71. The last three years, the Orioles had three combined, with two in 2015, none in 2016 and one last year with Sisco at...

Duquette on negotiations, prospect list (plus other notes)

Duquette on negotiations, prospect list (plus other notes)
Only four days remain before the Orioles' annual FanFest event commences without the chance to announce a significant acquisition via free agency or trade. The ticking of the clock grows louder. It can't drown out the angst emanating from a fan base that lost patience shortly after the final out of the 2017 season. Could the team make a move later this week? "I hope so," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "I'm trying, I'm trying. I hope so. "We're still talking to a number of...

Can Santander's defense keep him in majors?

Can Santander's defense keep him in majors?
While the Orioles try to settle on a left-handed hitter to play the outfield, along with other moves required to fill out the roster, they promise not to skimp on the defense. Upgrading it must be part of any plan. The club's reputation for outstanding glovework took another hit last season, and it could influence the decision whether to carry Anthony Santander for the first 44 days until losing his Rule 5 status. Santander must prove capable of playing the outfield. The Orioles like his bat,...

A look at another top 10 Orioles prospects list (updated)

A look at another top 10 Orioles prospects list (updated)
As some national top 100 prospects lists are about to come out, another outlet has released a new listing of its top Orioles players. Baseball Prospectus released its list of the Orioles' top 10 prospects last week. Here is the list, from top to bottom. I add my own comments and notes and also pose a question or questions about each player heading into next season. 1. Ryan Mountcastle, 3B: Mountcastle's bat looked special in the Carolina League last season. Over 88 games with Single-A...

Could Dyson bring the left-handed bat needed in the outfield?

Could Dyson bring the left-handed bat needed in the outfield?
There's a guessing game attached to the bits of information that filter out of the Orioles organization in the winter. We know the areas of need. We just don't always know the players under consideration. Manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette met for more than an hour Thursday and a specific right fielder was a topic of conversation. The name remains a secret. "Dan's already been talking to him about offers and physicals," Showalter said. "We're down the road...

More roster talk, Scott on Wynns and Givens on wins

More roster talk, Scott on Wynns and Givens on wins
Exactly how many holes exist in the Orioles' 25-man roster as they get closer to their report date for spring training? The calculation involves math, but I'm willing to move outside my comfort zone. The Orioles have two confirmed starters in Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. The bullpen should include Brad Brach, Darren O'Day, Mychal Givens and Richard Bleier. Miguel Castro will be in the rotation or continue in his relief role. Trey Mancini and Adam Jones will compose two-thirds of the...

The bench, arbitration deadline, Triple-A hitting coach and more

The bench, arbitration deadline, Triple-A hitting coach and more
Hints were dropped at the Winter Meetings that the Orioles could go with a three-man bench and carry 13 pitchers. Manager Buck Showalter never stated it as a certainty, but he implied that they could follow the trend in baseball. He also pointed out why it would be an extreme challenge. Why it seemed unlikely to transpire, circumstances stomping out the idea. "The problem is, if you look at our schedule and the way the game's going, most people are going with 13 pitchers, so now you're...

Chris Davis on hitting approach, contract pressure and more

Chris Davis on hitting approach, contract pressure and more
It won't be long before Chris Davis' family, which already includes wife Jill and daughter Ella, will expand with the arrival of twin girls. "We're going to go from man-to-man coverage to a zone real quick in our house, but we're fired up about it," Davis said this week while interviewed on the "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "I couldn't be happier. We always said that we wanted at least three. I'm still pushing for maybe four, but it's probably not the best time to be...

Week in review: More Machado talk, a slow market and power on the farm

Week in review: More Machado talk, a slow market and power on the farm
Time to take a look back at the last week of stories here. Yes, of course, there was much more talk and discussion about Manny Machado. This amid some reports that indicate the Orioles, while still open to dealing their star third baseman, won't wait on offers forever. Probably time to make a deal if they are going to. On Tuesday, we looked at how Machado might bring a return to include at least one major league ready starting pitcher. He may be about the only player they could trade that...

Another look at an impressive power display on the farm in '17

Another look at an impressive power display on the farm in '17
Four players hit 32 or more home runs this year in Minor League Baseball. Three of the four played in the homer-happy Pacific Coast League. The only player that didn't was the Orioles' Austin Hays, who hit 32 between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. Houston's A.J. Reed hit 34 to lead all of the minors playing in the PCL. Former Oriole Christian Walker hit 32 for Arizona's PCL entry and Oakland's Renato Núñez hit 32 in the same league. Hays had a monster season on the O's farm,...

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...

More Manny Machado musings

More Manny Machado musings
Though it's painfully early in the morning, I'm happy to report that no one has asked me for an update on third baseman Manny Machado since my last trip to the bathroom. His status on the club reminds me of those halcyon days in the winter of 2015 when everyone wanted to know whether the Orioles would re-sign Chris Davis. Gym owners, bartenders, radio and television hosts, family and friends. None of them ranked in order of importance in my life, despite all the doubters. Will the Orioles...

How many reserves will the Orioles carry into the season?

How many reserves will the Orioles carry into the season?
Did Orioles manager Buck Showalter tip his hand at the Winter Meetings about the construction of his bench? Not the names. The number of players. Showalter pointed out during his media session how it's becoming more popular for teams to carry 13 pitches, which leaves three players in reserve roles. That's a tricky proposition for the Orioles, who must keep Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander for the first 44 days. They want to find a left-handed hitter. They want to improve their defense. Exactly...

Some thoughts from Jim Callis of MLBPipeline.com

Some thoughts from Jim Callis of MLBPipeline.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Jim Callis of MLBPipeline.com has reported on many trades over the years as part of his excellent analysis of prospects. He is someone fans turn to in order to find out the level of prospects their team just got when a club deals a star player for young talent. A deal much like the Orioles potentially could be discussing for Manny Machado. When Callis was on "MASN All Access" yesterday, I tapped into his experience with these deals to ask what return the Orioles could...

Orioles' young outfielders drawing interest in trade talks (with Duquette video)

Orioles' young outfielders drawing interest in trade talks (with Duquette video)
LAKE BUENVA VISTA, Fla. - Well, not every topic concerning the Orioles involves Manny Machado, it turns out. The club, by the way, is still looking for several starting pitchers. And the quest for pitching might end with one or more hurlers coming to Baltimore via the trade route. In a one-on-one interview this afternoon with MASNsports.com, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said some of the club's young outfielders are drawing interest in trade talks. "I was heartened today....