Nothing to see here
Nothing to see here
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Not yet, anyway. I had a brief conversation with Adam Katz, who represents free-agent pitchers Rich Harden and Joel Pineiro. Those two names have been linked to the Orioles in various reports. Katz didn't indicate that discussions have grown serious. "It's just tire kicking at this point," he said. "It's just preliminary tire kicking." Katz also represents Sammy Sosa, which is how I first met him. I didn't bother to ask.
Quick Chapman update
Quick Chapman update
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It's very quick. I don't Twitter, but I do blog from my BlackBerry. The Orioles still haven't met with representatives for Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman, but are scheduled to do so before leaving Indianapolis.
Sights and sounds from the lobby
Sights and sounds from the lobby
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I should stress that I'm referring to the downtown Marriott lobby. It's pretty dead over at the Westin, which is connected by a skywalk. I just got my cardio in by making the trip back and forth. It doesn't sound like the Orioles are close to finalizing a trade with the Rangers for Kevin Millwood, but that information comes from one person who spoke to a Texas official. At this point, I wouldn't get discouraged if you're rooting for the deal, but nothing is imminent. Far from...
The madness continues
The madness continues
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I'd be amused if I wasn't so tired. It's officially Day 2 of baseball's Winter Meetings, and I counted five laptops already set up in the media workroom by 8 a.m. I would have ridiculed the reporters who arrived that early, but I was sitting inside the media workroom at 8 a.m. People who live in glass houses... The rumor mill keeps churning, and the national reporters, bloggers and tweeters keep racing each other for scoops. We counted at least three erroneous trade reports yesterday....
The Closer
The Closer
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Atlanta Braves reliever Rafael Soriano has reportedly accepted arbitration, denying him free-agent status and leaving his employer scrambling to trade him. Had Soriano chosen to decline it, the Braves would have received a draft pick due to his Type A status. The Orioles would have surrendered a second-rounder if they signed him. The Braves can't trade him before June 15 unless he gives written permission, which is expected to happen. The Orioles need a closer, but they must decide...
A few more notes
A few more notes
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles maintain interest in first baseman Carlos Delgado, who is expected to begin playing in Puerto Rico later this week. And they also are keeping an open dialogue with Sam Levinson, who represents third baseman Pedro Feliz. If the Orioles lose a player in the Rule 5 draft, it could be Double-A Bowie second baseman Miguel Abreu, who is drawing strong interest from the San Diego Padres. At least two other teams, the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, have scouted him in Puerto...
Meeting with MacPhail
Meeting with MacPhail
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Andy MacPhail, president of baseball operations, sat down with a few team executives and player representatives today and said he had two or three meetings lined up later tonight. He isn't close to making a deal, which means the Orioles aren't a mystery team in the Matt Lindstrom or Edwin Jackson talks. MacPhail had a brief, informal meeting with Mark Hendrickson's agent, Joe Urbon, but he hasn't met with Mark Pieper, who represents Erik Bedard. However, MacPhail and Pieper will meet soon...
When the going gets tough, the Trembley gets tougher
When the going gets tough, the Trembley gets tougher
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
One of the heavy points of emphasis in spring training will be reducing the amount of "careless giveaways" on the bases, according to manager Dave Trembley. Players should beware if they don't get the message. Dave Trembley on the emphasis on baserunning and how he'll change as a manager Trembley already suggested late in the season that he'll be more inclined to drop the hammer in 2010. Mistakes won't be as easily forgiven. And he said earlier today that some guys could be "on the...
Trembley talk
Trembley talk
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Outfielder Felix Pie is supposed to start playing in the Dominican next month. Asked whether he foresees Pie getting the bulk of the playing time in left field next season, with Nolan Reimold serving as the designated hitter, manager Dave Trembley hesitated before replying: "I think it's a nice thing to be able to sort out, especially the way Pie played the second half of the season. I know there's a lot of interest in Pie. You've got to like what Reimold did. You've still got Luke...
Quick hits from Trembley
Quick hits from Trembley
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I'll go more in-depth later, but I wanted to take a few seconds to review some highlights from manager Dave Trembley's session with the media. Dave Trembley talks with Roch Kubatko from the MLB Winter Meetings - Trembley's priorities for the team remain, in no particular order, a starting pitcher, closer, first baseman and third baseman. - He still believes the Orioles can obtain a big bat for the middle of the lineup (and he prefers a right-handed one), despite the weak free-agent...