Conversation with Rich Hill
Conversation with Rich Hill
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Pitcher Rich Hill told me last night that he's heard from a "pretty good amount of teams" that are interested in signing him, but he's still waiting for a major league deal that will return him to a 40-man roster. Hill estimated that he could make a decision within the next two weeks, and the Orioles remain in the mix. He elected to become a free agent after being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, but they're apparently open to re-signing him to a minor league deal. "Anything is...
Trading places
Trading places
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
This little nugget probably won't make you feel any better about those 12 straight losing seasons that are continually thrust into our faces, but did you know that the Orioles are the fifth-best trading team of the 20th century? I doubt that the 2000 season is included in this survey. I received an e-mail earlier today from ACTA Sports that credits statistical consultant Doug Decatur for using "Win Shares," a statistic developed by baseball guru Bill James to determine how many wins a...
The Bedard debate
The Bedard debate
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As I scrolled through the comments yesterday, I noticed a little back-and-forth among fans regarding pitcher Erik Bedard. And since the forecast doesn't call for an avalanche of news to bury the blog this week, I'll gladly take the opportunity to turn the discussion into an entry. (Before you ask, nobody is getting a check in the mail for giving me the idea. Nice try, though.) Bedard carries the reputation as a guy who asks out of games early, who doesn't shoulder enough of the workload...
Agents of fortune
Agents of fortune
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A neighbor was nice enough to lend me his snow shovel so I could dig out my car. It was falling apart, and the crack running through it widened by the time I finished, so I'll buy him a new one to show my gratitude. He'd rather have Jason Bay, but he'll settle for a shovel. Does anyone want Bay? The Mets look like they're the only bidder, though I still expect another team to jump out of the shadows, similar to the Yankees with Mark Teixeira last winter. Bay apparently wants a fifth year...
A few extras from Trembley
A few extras from Trembley
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I just realized that I don't own a snow shovel or a broom. This isn't good. I did stock up on food, and I have a bottle of Grey Goose in the freezer. I'm not totally unprepared. I wonder if the neighbors will laugh at me if I take a mop outside to knock the snow off my car. Or whether they'll laugh when I'm unable to find my car. I'll be standing on the roof and not even know it. Orioles manager Dave Trembley believes closer Mike Gonzalez can bring the same leadership and steadying...
Getting warm by the hot stove
Getting warm by the hot stove
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
So is it true that snow's in the forecast today? Last night's Hot Stove Show on 105.7 The Fan and ESPN 1300 sparked an interesting discussion regarding Jeremy Guthrie's slotting for next season. With Kevin Millwood sitting atop the rotation, the natural assumption has been that Guthrie will slide down to No. 2. But as host Jim Hunter pointed out, the Orioles could lower Guthrie to fourth, putting another 200-inning starter near the backend and perhaps easing some of the strain on the...
Trembley chimes in
Trembley chimes in
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Dave Trembley spoke to reporters via a conference call after Mike Gonzalez left the room. Gonzalez should have stuck around. Trembley had plenty of good things to say about him. "I'm glad we have him. Thrilled," Trembley said. "I talked to him earlier today. He has experience, he's pitched late in the game, he's left-handed. More importantly, he's excited to be with us. I think all those things are very favorable for all of us." Trembley has no qualms about referring...
More Gonzo
More Gonzo
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Reliever Mike Gonzalez said the Orioles were "definitely on his radar" when the free-agent market opened for business. "Just seeing the talent alone that these guys had," he said. "Sometimes, they get a little overshadowed just because of the other teams - the Yankees and the Red Sox - but this is a good ballclub. And these guys are only going to get better. "I'd like to thank Andy (MacPhail) and my agent Scott (Boras) for making this very quick and easy and painless. Those were kind...
Gonzalez: Meet the press
Gonzalez: Meet the press
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The first thing I learned about reliever Mike Gonzalez today is he's obviously done his homework on the Orioles. "Looking at the lineup, seeing the core, these guys are not just young, but very talented guys," he said. "You look at the defense. I've got a great middle defense up in the front, the middle infield and the outfield. As a pitcher, that's what you want, that's what you look for. It seemed like a good fit for me. "They're exciting, they're young, they're very talented....
Gonzalez official
Gonzalez official
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It isn't breaking news, but reliever Mike Gonzalez passed his physical and will meet with reporters at the Warehouse at 4:00 p.m. He'll fly out of Baltimore a few hours later, and we'll wait for Garrett Atkins' arrival. I'll post Gonzalez's comments before heading to the station for the Hot Stove Show.