A no-return policy on Orioles
A no-return policy on Orioles
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The day after Christmas exists in many households to eat leftovers, vacuum pine needles and return unwanted gifts. There's also time spent rehashing some of the most uncomfortable moments at the dinner table. The Orioles haven't been shy about keeping receipts and making returns, no matter whose feelings get hurt. Just ask Grant Balfour's agent. Sometimes they can be talked into returning home with the same item, but feeling much better about it. Just ask Yovani Gallardo's agent. (If you...
Christmas list of reasons to be happy
Christmas list of reasons to be happy
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
'Tis the season to be jolly. If you pretend that 2020 didn't happen. My only advice is to dig deep and unearth the joyous moments in your lives. Hopefully, you'll find many more than you expected. Hopefully, you can use a trowel instead of a bulldozer. For me, it's getting engaged at spring training, less than a week before the shutdown. My plan to propose at the spot where we met outside the Ed Smith Stadium press box would have been ruined if she chose to fly down later. (I'll never know...
Roster work doesn't take a holiday break (updated)
Roster work doesn't take a holiday break (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are approaching the Christmas holiday with a shopping list that won't be satisfied by a late trip to the mall. Their search for a veteran starting pitcher and replacement for shortstop José Iglesias, to name two of the items, could stretch into January or February. The market is evolving. A drop in prices can expand it. Their last transaction on this date occurred in 2014 with the signing of left-hander César Cabral to a minor league deal. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway was claimed...
Notes on Stevenson, Turner and Scherzer
Notes on Stevenson, Turner and Scherzer
Byron Kerr
Nationals
One bright spot at the end of the abbreviated 2020 season was watching Andrew Stevenson crush baseballs for the final few weeks. The outfielder hit .417 in September, with seven doubles, one triple, two homers and 12 RBIs. His on-base percentage was .488. With Michael A. Taylor given the option to look for another team - and eventually signing a deal with the Royals - it was obvious the door was open for Stevenson to officially take on the role as the club's fourth outfielder going forward....
With enough to worry about, don't include baseball
With enough to worry about, don't include baseball
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Between a pandemic, limited holiday travel and the chance that some of us may not have a so-called normal Christmas in two days, there is enough disappointment and anxiety out there to fill any ballpark. Maybe a few times. Hopefully, we all realize that we should not let baseball contribute to the long list of worries that 2020 created for many people. But there are concerns about if the season will start on time, how many games will they play, can fans attend? Plenty of questions without...
Kendrick, Nats' 2019 postseason hero, announces retirement
Kendrick, Nats' 2019 postseason hero, announces retirement
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Another World Series hero will not be returning to the Nationals in 2021. Howie Kendrick, whose pair of game-changing homers helped lift the Nats to their first World Series title in 2019, announced he is retiring from Major League Baseball after 15 seasons. Kendrick posted the announcement on his Instagram account on Monday night. "Last but not least, my Beloved Washington Nationals, thank you for embracing me as one of your own," he wrote. "I feel as though I'd been a National my whole...
Nats sign Guerra and Castillo to minor league deals
Nats sign Guerra and Castillo to minor league deals
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals have confirmed the signing of catcher Welington Castillo and right-hander Javy Guerra to minor league contracts that include invitations to major league spring training. This is the second year in a row that Castillo has signed with the Nats in the offseason, but the backstop opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Castillo, 33, will look to solidify the second catcher spot on the roster alongside Yan Gomes. Castillo played at least 100 games from 2013 to 2016 and...
Director of player development Matt Blood on players skipping levels
Director of player development Matt Blood on players skipping levels
Steve Melewski
Orioles
There is a lot we don't yet know about the 2021 baseball season. We have a schedule for 162 games for each big league team; we just don't know if the sport will start on time and play all 162. After the restructuring on the farm, we still don't have schedules for minor league teams or any idea when those players will be in Florida for spring training. But whenever it all starts and however many minor league games are played during 2021, the Orioles will at some point have to set rosters for...
Notes on Soto and Zimmerman
Notes on Soto and Zimmerman
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Most times when Nationals manager Davey Martinez is made available to the national media, there will be a question about the potential of Juan Soto. What was interesting from Martinez's answer to a recent question about Soto's ceiling as a ballplayer was what he ultimately expects from him. The skipper said he wanted no part of putting a cap on Soto's potential to become a complete ballplayer. Why? Because Soto has the talent - but maybe even more importantly - the drive, to be the best at...
Orioles announce four minor league signings
Orioles announce four minor league signings
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles announced four of their minor league signings this afternoon, with catcher Nick Ciuffo going unreported until today. The list also includes left-hander Fernando Abad and right-handers Claudio Custodio and Conner Greene. Abad and Greene were confirmed additions to the organization earlier this month. Ciuffo, who turns 26 in March, provides some catching depth that the organization has sought with Bryan Holaday and Martin Cervenka entering free agency. He's a left-handed hitter and...