Oh Danys Boy
Oh Danys Boy
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I can't let Danys Baez join the Phillies without wishing him the best of luck with team No. 6. Baez reportedly has agreed to a two-year deal, pending a physical next week. I'm a little surprised that he netted more than one year, but good for him. A few notes about Baez from the 2009 season: • He went 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA, 59 hits allowed, 22 walks and 40 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings. • He allowed one earned run or fewer in 50...
The first entry of 2010
The first entry of 2010
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Happy New Year to everyone here at the School of Roch. I hope your head isn't pounding so loudly that the neighbors can hear it. I'm not big on resolutions, but I refuse to watch any bowl game that's named for a corporate sponsor. That means the Outback Bowl can bite it. Same to you, Capital One Bowl. The Konica Minolta Gator Bowl gets a pass, but just barely. Do they still play the Tangerine Bowl? Yes, they do. It's now the Capital One Bowl. So, did anyone make a sports-themed...
Who's on first? - Part II
Who's on first? - Part II
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The NFL Network still lists the Denver Broncos as one of the two wild card teams in the AFC, and the Ravens as being "in the hunt" with an identical record. Shouldn't that be reversed, since the Ravens beat the Broncos earlier this season? I understand that it's a complicated formula, but the Ravens are in if they win. Picking winners against the spread is especially challenging in the final week of the regular season, with teams that have clinched first-round byes often choosing to rest...
Venting machine
Venting machine
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Please tell me why I'm forced to watch the San Diego-Washington game on FOX-45, instead of the Dallas-Philadelphia matchup that's much more interesting and important? Who's the pinhead behind that decision? Is it coming from the network or the league? I need answers. I want his name and home address. I know we're supposed to be slobbering all over the Ravens today, but my television comes with a remote. Dallas-Philly is a big game. I wanted to switch back and forth. It's what I do on...
Delgado debuts
Delgado debuts
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Carlos Delgado made his long-awaited debut tonight in the Puerto Rican Winter League, going 1-for-4 while batting fourth as the designated hitter for Gigantes de Carolina. That's good enough for me. Sign him. Kidding. I don't want a singles hitter batting cleanup for the Orioles. Again, kidding. We'll judge him later in the month. More important, the Orioles will do so after scouting him. Lou Montanez's team, Criollos de Caguas, provided the opposition, but he hasn't played since...
Springing forward
Springing forward
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
While wondering if Gilbert Arenas simply misunderstood what his coach meant by a morning shootaround... I've got about six more weeks before I fly into the Sarasota airport with a look of confusion and angst on my face. I don't know how to fly a plane. Actually, it's because my comfort zone for spring training will be gone. I'll feel lost for a while, not knowing the best routes to my hotel, the ballpark, a bar that's still serving at 2 a.m. It's never too early for me to stress out....
Springing forward - Part II
Springing forward - Part II
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
If you missed it, former Oriole John Parrish signed a minor league deal with the Royals. Here's hoping that Parrish doesn't report to spring training in a body cast. Also, ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the Cardinals and outfielder Matt Holliday are close to a deal, which has pretty much been the word around baseball today. And SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that the Red Sox are nearing an agreement with third baseman Adrian Beltre. I walked outside earlier today and noticed an...
In the news...
In the news...
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Gilbert Arenas claims that he brought guns into the Wizards' locker room so he could play a joke on a teammate. The Wizards should claim they were only joking when they gave him that $111 million contract. Carlos Delgado went 2-for-4 with a strikeout last night in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He batted fourth again as the designated hitter. I find it amusing that Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa posted a message on Twitter last week. Times really have changed. We've been trying to drag...
Dwindling market for LaRoche?
Dwindling market for LaRoche?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles need a corner infielder, and first baseman Adam LaRoche looks like the most appealing option among the free agents on the market. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that LaRoche turned down the Giants' two-year, $17 million offer. At least he hasn't panicked yet. Olney speculates (and that's all he's doing here) that the Giants and Orioles are the only potential suitors for LaRoche. The Orioles aren't likely to exceed San Francisco's offer, but by allowing the market to - brace...
Alomar's HOF credentials
Alomar's HOF credentials
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Is ESPN really coming out with a 3-D channel? I can't wait for the network to launch ESPN-Boxer Briefs, the first channel that requires you to strip down before watching. (I don't count late-night Cinemax.) The latest Hall of Fame inductees will be announced today at 2 p.m., and I'm predicting that Roberto Alomar is elected on the first ballot. Alomar won a record 10 Gold Gloves at second base in 11 years, along with four Silver Slugger Awards. In 17 seasons, he totaled 2,724 hits, 210...