Brady Anderson talks about Reynolds
Brady Anderson talks about Reynolds
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A few days ago, I wrote about outfielder Nolan Reimold's workouts with former Oriole Brady Anderson. You also can include third baseman Mark Reynolds on the list of Anderson's clients. In an interesting coincidence, Reynolds contacted Anderson before the Orioles traded for him at the winter meetings. "It was a nice circumstance that he's with the Orioles now," Anderson said. Anderson had a lot of favorable comments about Reynolds. "Reynolds is a stud," Anderson said. "I've...
Checking in on Australia
Checking in on Australia
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Four Orioles farmhands were playing winter ball in the Australian Baseball League. Now, there are three. Righty Brett Jacobsen was there, but, as of Thursday he was traded to Minnesota in the deal that sent J. J. Hardy to Baltimore. The 24-year-old Jacobsen came to the O's in a trade on August 17, 2009 from Detroit for Aubrey Huff. This winter with the Perth Heat, Jacobsen went 0-0, 1.93 with three saves in four chances over 9 1/3 innings. Lefty Cole McCurry is 0-1, 4.12 in five starts...
Approach the bench
Approach the bench
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It's much too early to break down the Orioles' 25-man roster. This team will need a first baseman - it's in the rules - or a new designated hitter. The bullpen is incomplete. However, as I sat here last night, I thought about the potential composition of the bench. Cesar Izturis appears to have a spot as a reserve middle infielder. Brendan Harris and Robert Andino are expected to compete for another utility spot (Harris isn't on the 40-man roster, Andino is out of minor league...
Stockstill said no deal on Green
Stockstill said no deal on Green
Steve Melewski
Orioles
O's director of player development John Stockstill said tonight the Orioles have not signed infielder Nick Green, contradicting a published report that said they had signed Green to a minor league contract with a spring invite. "We have not signed Green. At no point did we ever agree to terms," Stockstill said. "It was contigent on the player evaluating our major league shortstop situation." You can read that to mean that Green had interest in the O's, but in recent days they have...
The games (baseball) people play
The games (baseball) people play
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Since I had only been to the Winter Meetings once before, I was looking forward to this past week. Being among the top brass and media in baseball sounds like a good time. It is, although keep in mind you just don't rub elbows with anyone you want anytime you want. Sure, you see big-name agents and GMs walking through the lobby, but they are usually on their way to something else. Brian Cashman, Theo Epstein and Andy MacPhail were not there just looking for someone to shoot the breeze...
Mini-update on first base (updated)
Mini-update on first base (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Not much to report here, but I'm asked about the first base situation multiple times a day. It happened again this afternoon while I was stuck in traffic on Rt. 32 and cars were blocking the Liberty Rd. intersection and preventing me from going the last half-mile to my house. (A Sun photographer captured the scene, which included my reddening face.) A guy in the vehicle next to my rolled down his window, shouted out my name and asked if the Orioles were going to sign Adam LaRoche. I smiled...
Orioles agree to terms with Izturis (updated)
Orioles agree to terms with Izturis (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
No announcement has been made, but the Orioles have agreed to terms with infielder Cesar Izturis on a 1-year contract. The deal will become official once Izturis passes his physical. Izturis apparently will compete for the utility job along with newly acquired Brendan Harris, while J.J. Hardy is penciled in as the everyday shortstop. Earlier this week, President Andy MacPhail stated after confirming the Hardy/Harris deal that he would continue negotiations with Izturis' agent. Update: I...
Brady Anderson talks about Reimold
Brady Anderson talks about Reimold
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I caught up with Brady Anderson a few days ago while covering the Winter Meetings in Orlando. He returned a call as I was transcribing quotes from president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, and I ended the game of phone tag a few minutes later after hitting the "publish" button. I knew that outfielder Nolan Reimold was working out with Anderson. I knew that Anderson was impressed with Reimold's progress after a disastrous 2010 season. I knew that Anderson offered up a favorable...
Nationals announce 2011 minor league managers, coaches & coordinators
Nationals announce 2011 minor league managers, coaches & coordinators
Lindsay Rykiel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals today named their minor league managers, coaches and coordinators for the 2011 season. Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development Bob Boone, Director of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Minor League Operations Mark Scialabba made the joint announcements. Among the changes from last season, Randy Knorr was promoted from his managerial post at Double-A to skipper the Syracuse Chiefs of the Triple-A International League....
MacPhail makes a comeback with the fans
MacPhail makes a comeback with the fans
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Way to go, sweater vest! Is it possible that Andy MacPhail, who was getting crushed by fans on this blog just a week or so ago, is now becoming popular among many O's fans? I haven't seen a comeback this dramatic since that O's-Red Sox game in May 2009. One thing the last few days have shown us. Just because the O's were not mentioned in every rumor over the last few weeks didn't mean they were not busy behind the scenes. And just because they missed out on a few guys (Victor Martinez...