Remembering how the Orioles landed a shortstop in 2010

Remembering how the Orioles landed a shortstop in 2010
The Orioles aren't expected to be nearly as busy retooling the roster this week, which has been advertised as some sort of virtual Winter Meetings, as they were in 2010. Still a tough act to follow. They're in a different place, and I don't just mean home compared to Lake Buena Vista, Fla. They needed a shortstop, as they do now, and traded for J.J. Hardy after almost finalizing a deal for Jason Bartlett - one of the best decisions in franchise history. They also were linked to Cardinals...

Reimold's retirement routine includes instruction for stepson

Reimold's retirement routine includes instruction for stepson
As Jack Porter continues to gain the notice of baseball evaluators as a high school junior in Tennessee, he can keep seeking advice and instruction from two prominent men in his life. Both of them former professional players. One of them quite familiar to Orioles fans. His father, Scott, was a pitcher and a fifth-round draft pick of the Blue Jays in 1999. His stepfather, Nolan Reimold, was an outfielder and second-round pick of the Orioles in 2005 who played eight years in the majors. Lots of...

Remembering Orioles who started strong and didn't sustain

Remembering Orioles who started strong and didn't sustain
My mind keeps spinning back to past Orioles teams that I've covered as an adult or watched as a kid. Anything to limit my screen time during this shutdown. Let me pose a question this morning while we resist the urge to panic shop. (Don't be that person. You don't need 12 dozen eggs and all the toilet paper and liquid hand soap.) Which homegrown Orioles started out good, fooling you into thinking that they'd become future All-Stars or at least longtime contributors, and then fizzled? Got...

Will the Orioles find their starting pitcher this week?

Will the Orioles find their starting pitcher this week?
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles outfielder Joey Rickard can be added to the list of position players who reported early to camp, joining a group that includes Adam Jones, Tim Beckham, Anthony Santander and Trey Mancini. Rickard is competing for a spot as an extra outfielder, whether he's platooning in right field with an unidentified left-handed hitter or serving as a backup. His primary competition comes from Craig Gentry and Austin Hays. Improved play in the field has enhanced Rickard's chances,...

Zach Britton on the "frustration" of a slow offseason

Zach Britton on the "frustration" of a slow offseason
With the free agent market still overflowing due to a winter-long freeze, a neat trick if you know anything about liquids and temperatures, the Major League Baseball Players Association is arranging a "31st camp" for unemployed players at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The list of participants will include former Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold, 34, who's attempting a comeback after announcing his retirement last summer. Reimold failed to receive a spring training invitation last year...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
Spring training wouldn't feel right unless the media had camp competitions to chronicle on a daily basis. Fifth starter, last bullpen and bench spots, backup catcher. It allows us to obsess over guys like Chad Moeller, Luis Exposito, Zack Phillips, Ryan Drese, Alex Gonzalez, Jimmy Paredes, Travis Ishikawa, Jason Pridie, Russ Canzler, Jai Miller and Trayvon Robinson. It makes us feel foolish later when so many of them disappear and are never heard from again. Oh heck, let's keep going. Hayden...

Jones on young outfielders, E-Rod surgery, Reimold news

Jones on young outfielders, E-Rod surgery, Reimold news
The Orioles aren't in a position to make significant changes to their lineup next season with the bulk of their primary starters back in uniform. The infield appears to be set and they easily could turn over the catching duties to Caleb Joseph and rookie Chance Sisco if Welington Castillo exercises his $7 million option. Castillo is expected to test free agency. That's the industry buzz. The early outfield speculation puts Trey Mancini in left field, Adam Jones in center and Austin Hays in...

Jones close to lineup return, and other notes (O's down 8-4)

Jones close to lineup return, and other notes (O's down 8-4)
HOUSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter sounded confident today that Adam Jones will return to the lineup for Monday afternoon's series opener against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Jones remains out of the lineup with soreness in his left ankle and hip. "He's doing well. He's getting better," Showalter said. "Could have pushed the envelope today if we wanted to. I expect him to be back in the lineup starting tomorrow if he continues to feel like he does today." No tests have been...

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays

Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Trey Mancini gets the start in right field tonight against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ, with Joey Rickard in left field and leading off. Craig Gentry is on the bench. Manny Machado's left wrist is fine and he's in the lineup. Chris Tillman is throwing his third bullpen session this afternoon before heading to Sarasota to throw live batting practice and pitch in extended spring training. Reliever Darren O'Day (flu) has avoided the disabled list. For the Orioles Joey Rickard LF Adam Jones...

Former Orioles still waiting for jobs

Former Orioles still waiting for jobs
SARASOTA, Fla. - The shelves on the free agent market continue to empty slowly. Players and agents wait for the buyers' rush, or baseball's version of Black Friday The former Orioles aisle includes designated hitter Pedro Álvarez, outfielder Nolan Reimold, catcher Steve Clevenger and pitcher Steve Johnson, the Baltimore native and former St. Paul's standout who appeared in 16 games with the Mariners last season. Pitcher Alfredo Simon also is unsigned. There's been no connection between...

More on Andino signing, arbitration negotiations, remaining business

More on Andino signing, arbitration negotiations, remaining business
While the Orioles continue their search for another outfielder and still intend to upgrade their pitching depth, they've addressed the need for infield depth by signing Johnny Giavotella and Robert Andino to minor league deals. Both players figure to begin the 2017 season at Triple-A Norfolk unless an injury creates a spot on the 25-man roster, but competition always is a good thing. "They bring ability and experience. They give us some more depth at the infield position, particularly in the...

Orioles bring back Andino on minor league deal

Orioles bring back Andino on minor league deal
The need for improved infield depth has led the Orioles back to Robert Andino. Remember him? The Orioles have confirmed the signings of Andino and Johnny Giavotella to minor league deals. The Giavotella signing was reported last week. Both players will receive invitations to spring training. Andino appeared in 360 games with the Orioles between 2009-2012, batting .239/.302/.326 with 46 doubles, 16 home runs and 80 RBIs. Most important to the club, he's able to play second base, shortstop and...

Who's up first?

Who's up first?
The Orioles will find out today whether they're paying catcher Caleb Joseph $1 million or $700,000. His hearing was held yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla. It's going to take a lot longer to figure out who's batting leadoff this season. Adam Jones did it for 108 games last season, the switch coming on May 27 in Cleveland. He batted .282/.320/.471 atop the order, but manager Buck Showalter stated after the season that he wanted someone else in the role in 2017. Is there anyone on the current...

Outfield platoon talk

Outfield platoon talk
How many platoon spots in the outfield are too many? Right now, the Orioles appear headed for platoon situations in both left and right field. That is probably fine, since the only other lineup spot looking at a potential platoon is designated hitter, pending how the rest of the offseason goes with signings and/or acquisitions. Going by the 2016 statistics, the Orioles ranked below average on offense in left field, above average in center field and well above average in right field. But Adam...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
I wrote last week that Hyun Soo Kim's participation in the World Baseball Classic wasn't a certainty despite his inclusion on South Korea's early roster. Now comes word that manager Kim In-sik is considering possible replacements for Kim and the Rangers' Shin-soo Choo. In a story that appeared yesterday in Yohhap News Agency, Korea's manager indicated that the Orioles could steer Kim away from the WBC because they want the outfielder in camp for the duration of spring training. "It's...

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Reliving some of 2016's greatest hits

"Orioles Classics" rewind: Reliving some of 2016's greatest hits
A new year is almost upon us, meaning it's a perfect time to reminisce about the 366 days (remember Feb. 29?) that comprised 2016. For the Orioles, it was a pretty good year, that finish in the American League wild card game notwithstanding. From Zach Britton's brilliant season to Manny Machado's sterling glovework to home runs that seemed to zoom out of Camden Yards at a frenetic pace, 2016 was truly a year to remember. Well, even before we wait for the big ball to drop in New York, how...

Do Orioles react to Sale news?

Do Orioles react to Sale news?
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - If you're counting on Dan Duquette to hit the panic button or go on a signing/trading rampage to counter what a division rival did at the Winter Meetings, I need to reintroduce you to the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations. This isn't how he operates. This isn't how former executive Andy MacPhail operated. The Orioles walked into the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center with a plan in place, though it's always wise to remain flexible....

Another look at some outfield options

Another look at some outfield options
As Major League Baseball general managers, managers and other executives get ready to convene for another Winter Meetings, the Orioles are still looking for outfield additions. The Orioles currently have six outfielders listed on their 40-man roster: Adam Jones, Hyun Soo Kim, Joey Rickard, Dariel Alvarez, Christian Walker and Adam Walker. Meanwhile, Mark Trumbo, Michael Bourn and Nolan Reimold are free agents. Right now, the Orioles don't seem inclined to give considerable playing time to...

Will the Orioles be left with Kim as the everyday left fielder?

Will the Orioles be left with Kim as the everyday left fielder?
Under the heading of "obvious needs" for the Orioles, you're going to find references to the hole in right field and at designated hitter. You're going to hear about a veteran catcher, though standing pat isn't the worst idea, according to some folks in the industry. Same with the bullpen. The one that is less obvious involves left field and the possibility of a right-handed hitter to platoon with Hyun Soo Kim. Is it necessary? The question is aimed in two directions. Kim may have earned...

Poised for the start of free agency

Poised for the start of free agency
I've been rooting for a Game 7 all along. Nothing beats it in sports and it delays the start of free agency, which extends my downtime a little bit longer. It's always about me. I've got five days before the free agent market is open for business once the World Series ends, and I'll only leave Twitter at my own risk. Five days before beat writers are challenged to separate fact from fiction as rumors surface of the Orioles' interest in ... insert any name. Let me get a head start by saying...