In this review of MLB drafts, the Orioles scored well
In this review of MLB drafts, the Orioles scored well
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Baseball America published a very interesting article recently as the publication ranked each major league organization by its draft success in the decade starting in 2010 and running through the 2019 draft. They ranked the teams in terms of total Wins Above Replacement those drafts produced. They counted WAR no matter for which team it was accumulated. So the Orioles scored for Manny Machado, but also for Zach Davies, for instance. It may be a surprise to some fans, but the Orioles ranked...
Nationals agree to terms with infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera and first baseman Eric Thames
Nationals agree to terms with infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera and first baseman Eric Thames
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera and a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2021 with first baseman Eric Thames on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Cabrera, 34, returns to Washington where he hit .323 with 10 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 40 RBI, 19 walks and 24 runs scored in 38 games with the Nationals, after signing with the club on Aug. 6...
Stewart embracing chance to be role model as he tries to make club
Stewart embracing chance to be role model as he tries to make club
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The challenge of winning a job with the Orioles in spring training is kept in its proper perspective, with Kohl Stewart overcoming a much larger obstacle to forge a career in professional baseball. Camp competition isn't going to rattle him. It feels more like a reward. Stewart earned a football scholarship to Texas A&M. He was the fourth overall selection by the Twins in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. The accolades kept pouring in, a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at age 9 unable to...
Orioles spring training tickets on sale Saturday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m.
Orioles spring training tickets on sale Saturday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m.
Doug Miller
Orioles
Individual tickets for all 17 of the Orioles' 2020 Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale Saturday, January 11, at 10:00 a.m. ET. It is recommended that fans purchase tickets online at Orioles.com/Spring. The Orioles will offer a special online 36-hour presale from Thursday, January 9, at 10:00 a.m. to Friday, January, 10 at 10:00 p.m. to fans subscribing to the free digital Sarasota 365 Newsletter or Warehouse Wire. To receive an invitation for the exclusive presale, fans...
Looking at potential lineup combinations
Looking at potential lineup combinations
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
At the end, when they were playing for all the marbles in late October, the Nationals lineup was consistent. Consistently productive. And consistently featuring the same hitters in the same spots in the order. As things stand today, five weeks before pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach to begin their title defense, that lineup looks quite different. And if there's one word to describe it in its current form, it might well be: inconsistent. With Anthony Rendon off to Anaheim to play...
Trying to get a handle on cheating via technology in MLB
Trying to get a handle on cheating via technology in MLB
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The hammer may be about to drop on the Houston Astros for their real-time sign stealing and cheating in baseball. But even before that hammer falls comes news that the Boston Red Sox are involved. Again. Wasn't the Apple Watch episode enough? And it can't be a good look for the sport when the World Series champs of 2017 (Houston) and 2018 (Boston) are tainted. You can say I'm exaggerating here, but a "Landis moment" may be coming soon for Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred. He...
After admiring them from afar, Castro thrilled to join Nats
After admiring them from afar, Castro thrilled to join Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Starlin Castro always wanted to play for the Nationals because of two men: Alfonso Soriano and Davey Martinez. Way back in 2006, when he was still an unsigned 16-year-old in his native Dominican Republic, Castro watched in awe as Soriano became only the fourth member of the 40-40 club in major league history during his one season in Washington. Castro and Soriano eventually became teammates with the Cubs, and soon after that, Martinez became Chicago's bench coach under manager Joe Maddon....
With 10 years of major league experience, Castro sees value in being a mentor
With 10 years of major league experience, Castro sees value in being a mentor
Byron Kerr
Nationals
New Nationals second baseman Starlin Castro met with the media via conference call Tuesday, and the veteran said he had realized how good the Nats were going to be while playing 19 games against them last season. With his season over in Miami, Castro then was able to become a fan of the team as the Nats battled the Astros for the world title. "I saw every game with them at home and I root for them," said the former Miami Marlin. "I didn't know I was going to sign with them, but I root for...
Taking the latest look at the Orioles roster (Castro update)
Taking the latest look at the Orioles roster (Castro update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Does the José Iglesias signing, which was announced yesterday, remove some of the uncertainty over the Orioles roster on opening day? Of course. A new shortstop was a high priority and projections with Richie Martin at the position felt like he had become an offseason placeholder. He's going to play at Camden Yards in 2020. Maybe it's in April, maybe it's later. Maybe it's in a utility role. But it's going to happen. The Orioles had to decide which shortstop to sign and how much to give...
Elias on Iglesias signing and its impact on Martin and club
Elias on Iglesias signing and its impact on Martin and club
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias doesn't know whether Richie Martin, last year's shortstop, is ticketed for Triple-A or will break camp in a utility role. There are too many days leading into the opener. Too many variables. Elias suggested a few possibilities that are tied to the signing of veteran shortstop José Iglesias, the one certainty being how Martin is going to benefit from any arrangement. "I think (the signing) is going to be good for him and his...