Rummaging through my notebook
Rummaging through my notebook
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Carlos Delgado hasn't started playing for Gigantes de Carolina of the Puerto Rican Winter League. The Orioles still intend to scout him later this month unless they find another first baseman. I exchanged emails with Delgago's agent, David Sloane, who said he won't be making any comments regarding negotiations. Nothing personal. It's just in his client's best interests. Sloane, who won't be attending the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, sent out mass emails to reporters that provided...
Not getting Miggy with it - Part II
Not getting Miggy with it - Part II
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It doesn't appear that the Orioles will be making any moves prior to the Winter Meetings that begin on Monday. It's safe to leave the house. I'm still not getting any indication that the Orioles are serious players for free agent Miguel Tejada. They're not in a position to rule out anything at this stage, but I'm told they're far more likely to go in another direction while trying to find a replacement for third baseman Melvin Mora. The Tejada talk has mostly been speculative, which...
Let's get excited, or at least try
Let's get excited, or at least try
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I want to go the rest of the day without hearing Tigers Woods' name. That's my modest goal. I'll sign off this subject by again pointing out that Woods turned a circus into a bigger circus by fending off the police for three days and chastising the media for starting rumors. And he's still venting about "tabloid scrutiny," even though at least part of the story proved to be true. You know, the infidelity part. At least that's the assumption after he sort of admitted to something...
Orioles announce 2010 Spring Training schedule
Orioles announce 2010 Spring Training schedule
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles announced their 2010 spring training schedule earlier today. Pitchers and catchers will hold their first workout on Thursday, Feb. 18. The first full-squad workout will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The Orioles will hold a team workout at Ed Smith Stadium on Sunday, April 4 and a workout at Tropicana Field on Monday, April 5 prior to their 2010 Opening Day game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, April 6 in St. Petersburg. Individual tickets for all 16 spring training...
The rumor Millwood
The rumor Millwood
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I didn't fall asleep until 2:30 a.m. and woke up for the last time at 6:05 a.m., so I'm trying not to bump into anything as I stumble around this blog. FOXSports reported earlier this week that the Orioles contacted the Texas Rangers regarding pitcher Kevin Millwood. Talks weren't considered serious, according to one source. The Rangers are looking to unload Millwood's $12 million salary for next season. I don't anticipate that the Orioles will be the team absorbing it, but there's...
In the news...
In the news...
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
We're still a little over six hours from the midnight deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their free agents, and nothing has changed with the Orioles. They're not going to do it. "Very unlikely" is how one person described it. That's good enough for me. I'm fully prepared to go to bed at 11:45 p.m. without having to make a mad dash for the laptop. Yankees manager Joe Girardi volunteered to be a special guest instructor to teach Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez how to...
MacPhail talks about Krivsky's departure
MacPhail talks about Krivsky's departure
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles special assistant Wayne Krivsky recently became the sixth member of the organization that an opposing team requested permission to interview for a job opening, and the third to leave for a better opportunity. "I would say we must be doing something right," president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. Dave Hollins accepted a scouting position with the Phillies, and Midwest crosschecker Deron Rombach was named national crosschecker for the Braves. The Orioles denied...
Making no offers they can't refuse
Making no offers they can't refuse
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It's 7:30 a.m. and I've already been exposed to the most disturbing sight of the day: A bus driver talking on her cell phone. Focus, lady, focus. Today is also the day that teams must decide whether to offer arbitration to their free agents, which could lead to extra draft picks if those players decline and sign elsewhere. Unless there's been a drastic change that nobody anticipated, the Orioles won't be offering it to Melvin Mora, Mark Hendrickson, Danys Baez or Chad Moeller. Mora is...
Who's on first?
Who's on first?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
We still don't know. Orioles manager Dave Trembley remains convinced that the first base situation "will be addressed before spring training," as he wrote in an e-mail to me earlier today. That could mean Garrett Atkins or an acquisition from outside the organization. It doesn't sound like Trembley expects to rummage through the inventory, but he might be playing a hunch. More likely, he's basing that opinion on conversations with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. I've...
Trembley on Pie
Trembley on Pie
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Felix Pie returned to Sarasota before the final out in today's 6-6 tie because George M. Steinbrenner Field doesn't have the necessary X-ray equipment. I thought the Yankees splurged for everything. "They don't think it's anything serious, but they have to get an X-ray," manager Dave Trembley said. "That's standard. If somebody gets hit, they get an X-ray. I wouldn't make a big deal out of it until you find out tomorrow where he's at or you get the word on the X-ray." Expect...