Looking forward to a return to normal
Looking forward to a return to normal
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I look forward to the day when the world gets closer to being normal again, however we define the term. When a baseball season lasts longer than a dental appointment and hearing "corona" makes you want to squeeze a lime wedge into a bottle of beer. I look forward to the day when I can conduct a MASN interview from the press box without looking like I just came out of surgery. When I can prepare for a group interview without checking my Zoom background or calculating my consecutive mornings...
Orioles sign Wilkerson to minor league contract
Orioles sign Wilkerson to minor league contract
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The news that the Orioles released Stevie Wilkerson on Sept. 14 came with an important attachment. The move was procedural, with Wilkerson unable to return from a fractured ring finger on his left hand and the team needing an open spot in its 60-man player pool. The Orioles would continue to monitor his recovery. They would retain interest in him. Re-signing Wilkerson before he hit the free agent market was presented as a strong possibility. It became a reality yesterday, according to an...
Cluff makes plate adjustments to take advantage of quick-twitch strengths
Cluff makes plate adjustments to take advantage of quick-twitch strengths
Byron Kerr
Nationals
A couple of weeks ago, we got an update on shortstop Jackson Cluff and how much he valued his time this summer at the alternate training site in Fredericksburg. Cluff, 23, appreciated the opportunity to stand in against big league pitchers and learned a great deal about what it takes to be a professional baseball player and how to maintain at this level from veteran Brandon Snyder. "That was a great experience for him to be around veteran guys and see how they work and see how they go about...
Ranking a few of the best aspects of the 2020 Orioles
Ranking a few of the best aspects of the 2020 Orioles
Steve Melewski
Orioles
There were quite a few things that went right and/or showed some promise during the 2020 season for the Orioles. They provide areas to build on as the club rebuilds and tries to work its way up in the American League East standings. Today, I list three things that worked or showed promise and I rank them in importance. 1) The bullpen was quite solid: This was an area of marked improvement for the 2020 Orioles. They traded three key 'pen members during the year and still got better. So that...
Do you remember where some former Orioles ended careers?
Do you remember where some former Orioles ended careers?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As a young Orioles fan it took many years for me to understand the Davey Johnson trade to the Braves following the 1972 season. Dealing a three-time All-Star and winner of three Gold Gloves at second base. An integral part of four World Series teams. The disappointment of a third-place finish in '72 after three straight American League pennants still ran deep. Now this? The Orioles were clearing a path for Bobby Grich, who won four Gold Gloves and made three All-Star teams before signing with...
MLB disputes report Elias and Holt linked to potential pension fraud
MLB disputes report Elias and Holt linked to potential pension fraud
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A spokesman for Major League Baseball issued a statement tonight disputing a New York Daily News report that Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and director of pitching Chris Holt are being investigated for potential pension fraud. "Major League Baseball is completely comfortable with the Orioles' coaching designations for the 2020 season, which are not only consistent with the terms of the pension plan but were approved in advance by MLB and shared prior to the start...
Mendoza focusing on shortening path to ball, increasing power
Mendoza focusing on shortening path to ball, increasing power
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals fall instructional league workouts wrap up over the weekend. Players now prepare for offseason conditioning and some will get extra at-bats in winter league competition. Rain has prevented the Nats from playing the intended full schedule, with over 20 inches of rain falling on South Florida during this month. I got the opportunity to check in with Nats hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich this week and we ran down a few of the hitters he worked with in West Palm Beach, Fla. Gingrich...
A player that got away is still raking years later
A player that got away is still raking years later
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Here is something pretty remarkable. Nelson Cruz, who remains a feared hitter at 40, is about to sign his third contract since leaving the Orioles. In the offseason following the 2014 season, the Orioles, coming off an appearance in the American League Championship Series, had big decisions to make. One was whether to re-sign Cruz and how far to go to get him. They made a significant three-year offer, but were reluctant to go four years on the deal. The Seattle Mariners however, would go four...
How should Nats evaluate McGowin's electric September?
How should Nats evaluate McGowin's electric September?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Our offseason player review series continues today with Kyle McGowin, who emerged out of the blue this summer to be an at-times dominant reliever. PLAYER REVIEW: KYLE McGOWIN Age on opening day 2021: 29 How acquired: Traded with Austin Adams from Angels for Danny Espinosa, December 2016 MLB service time: 139 days 2020 salary: $563,500 (prorated $80,990) Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2023, free agent in 2026 2020 stats: 1-0, 4.91 ERA, 9 G, 1 SV, 11 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6...
Once healthy and in rhythm, Suero was effective for Nats
Once healthy and in rhythm, Suero was effective for Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Our offseason player review series continues today with Wander Suero, who opened the season on the COVID-19 injured list but found his rhythm by September. PLAYER REVIEW: WANDER SUERO Age on opening day 2021: 29 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, February 2010 MLB service time: 2 years, 123 days 2020 salary: $582,200 (prorated $215,630) Contract status: Under team control, arbitration-eligible in 2022, free agent in 2025 2020 stats: 2-0, 3.80 ERA, 22 G, 0 SV, 23 2/3 IP, 20 H, 10...