A few thoughts on playoff layoff and fewer division games
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The finality of the Orioles’ season erases games and ticket requests – and I definitely can speak to the latter - but not the lingering questions. There’s much to review about a 101-win season, as well as the three straight losses to the Rangers in the Division Series that left manager Brandon Hyde “irritated” and “pissed.” Those feelings were shar
Henderson, Bradish and O'Hearn finalists for MLBPA awards
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Awards season is upon us despite the leagues competing to determine who competes in the World Series. The Orioles' Gunnar Henderson, Kyle Bradish and Ryan O’Hearn are finalists for the Major League Baseball Players Association’s Players Choice Awards. The announcement was made earlier today. As the name suggests, the players handle the voting. Hend
Does Call have future with Nats after disappointing year?
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
PLAYER REVIEW: ALEX CALL Age on Opening Day 2024: 29 How acquired: Claimed off waivers from Guardians, August 2022 MLB service time: 1 year, 66 days 2023 salary: $721,800 Contract status: Under club control, arbitration-eligible in 2026, free agent in 2029 2023 stats: 128 G, 439 PA, 375 AB, 43 R, 75 H, 14 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 9 SB, 8 CS, 53 BB,
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Random take Tuesday: The wall, Bruce Bochy and more
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees might not like it, but Orioles fans are probably growing to like the deeper dimensions in left field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Over two years now, it has produced fewer homers and ended the day of the so-called cheap homer to left center. But it also has led to more O’s wins. The 2022 team, coming off 110
Will Wood's strong season set him on path to majors in 2024?
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
PROSPECT REVIEW: JAMES WOOD Age on opening day 2024: 21 How acquired: Traded with MacKenzie Gore, CJ Abrams, Robert Hassell III, Jarlin Susana and Luke Voit from Padres for Juan Soto and Josh Bell in August 2022; originally drafted in second round by Padres in 2021 from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Ranking: No. 2 (No. 7 overall) per MLB Pipeline,
Do Orioles make room for more veterans in 2024?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The task of constructing a 26-man roster for 2024, and it’s never too early to begin the process through staff meetings, is easier in some ways for Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. The backup catcher already is in place with another season left on the four-year deal that James McCann signed with the Mets. The Orioles usu
In short start to pro career, Crews showed why he's a top prospect
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
PROSPECT REVIEW: DYLAN CREWS Age on opening day 2024: 22 How acquired: Drafted No. 2 overall in 2023 from LSU Ranking: No. 1 (No. 4 overall) per MLB Pipeline, No. 1 (No. 3 overall) per Baseball America MLB ETA: 2024* Projected by MLB Pipeline Signing bonus: $9 million (second-largest draft signing bonus ever) 2023 levels: Rookie-level Florida Compl
Thomas was good all around, and Nats believe he can be even better
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
PLAYER REVIEW: LANE THOMAS Age on Opening Day 2024: 28 How acquired: Traded from Cardinals for Jon Lester, July 2021 MLB service time: 4 years, 14 days 2023 salary: $2.2 million Contract status: Arbitration-eligible, free agent in 2026 2023 stats: 156 G, 682 PA, 628 AB, 101 R, 168 H, 36 2B, 3 3B, 28 HR, 86 RBI, 20 SB, 5 CS, 36 BB, 176 SO, .268 AVG,
DL Hall got his fastball back midsummer and later had the results to prove it
Steve Melewski
Orioles
There must have been times this summer when left-hander Dayton Lane Hall, once a highly-ranked Orioles pitching prospect, felt he might not make a return to the majors this year. Much less be on a playoff roster and pitch well in the postseason. But his five-plus weeks spent in Florida in midsummer to build arm strength and get his fastball velocit
Because You Asked - High Voltage
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles’ swift exit from the Division Series brings us to the first mailbag of the offseason. Tailor made if you’re the Rangers, also bringing us to the first Taylor Swift pun. I'll get to ERAs later. (Her current tour is called Eras. Try to keep up and be cool like me.) The organization doesn’t go dark. Executive vice president/general manager