New CBA and old rotation concerns inhabit O's offseason
New CBA and old rotation concerns inhabit O's offseason
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles can make plans and create lists and envision how to properly operate their offseason, but the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement sits on their shoulders. Never removed or forgotten. It's potential influence, a constant presence. A new CBA must be negotiated after Dec. 1. The first face-to-face session between Major League Baseball and union officials was held in August and included a proposal for a revised service time arrangement for arbitration-eligible...
Alan Mills thanks fans "for embracing me"
Alan Mills thanks fans "for embracing me"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles could be busier reconstructing the minor league side of the operation than the majors, with a bunch of hires and shuffling in the cards. At this point, we know they need a new Triple-A manager and pitching coach, hitting coaches at Single-A Aberdeen and Delmarva, and a manager for one of the Rookie-level Florida Complex League entries. There could be other changes that haven't been revealed. Buck Britton is expected to move up to Norfolk, which would create a vacancy at Double-A...
Orioles break ground on new Dominican academy
Orioles break ground on new Dominican academy
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles today broke ground on their new, state-of-the-art training academy in Guerra, Dominican Republic. Joined by Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, Dominican Republic Minister of Sports Francisco Camacho Rivas, and Dominican Republic Commissioner of Baseball Junior Noboa, Orioles Chairman and CEO John Angelos, Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias, and Senior Director of International Scouting Koby Perez were among numerous dignitaries in attendance...
Stowers and Diaz headline Orioles entries in Arizona Fall League
Stowers and Diaz headline Orioles entries in Arizona Fall League
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles will have eight players representing the organization with the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. Pitchers Cameron Bishop, Logan Gillaspie, Conner Loeprich and Nick Vespi, catcher Ramon Rodriguez, infielder Greg Cullen, and outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Kyle Stowers will play for Mesa. Rodriguez is on the taxi squad. Triple-A Norfolk hitting coach Tim Gibbons will serve in the same capacity with the Solar Sox. The first game is Wednesday, Oct. 13. The annual Fall Stars Game...
Even after sell-off, Nats lineup remained productive
Even after sell-off, Nats lineup remained productive
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
A lot of things with the Nationals went wrong this season, horribly wrong. But not everything. And one thing that did work out in the end, surprisingly enough, was a lineup that was productive both prior to and after the massive trade-deadline sell-off. The Nats ended the season with the highest team batting average (.258) and on-base percentage (.337) in the National League. Their .754 OPS was fourth-highest in the NL, tied with the NL East champion Braves and only five points lower than the...
A '21 highlight: Ryan Mountcastle's push for Rookie of the Year
A '21 highlight: Ryan Mountcastle's push for Rookie of the Year
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It is not easy to remember now. But for Ryan Mountcastle, the 2021 season, one that ended with him pushing to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award, did not begin well. At the end of April, Mountcastle, 24, was batting .196/.229/.286./.515 with one homer and seven RBIs. He was chasing pitches big time. It seemed like he would need a 50-inch bat to get to some of them. Was this a sophomore slump? Would he need to be sent to the minors to work it out? No and no. It was a hitter that...
Nationals bringing back Escobar on one-year deal
Nationals bringing back Escobar on one-year deal
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Alcides Escobar, who enjoyed a career renaissance after joining a Nationals club desperate for healthy infielders this summer, will return in 2022. The club re-signed the veteran shortstop to a one-year contract today, taking care of that pressing matter less than 48 hours after its season ended. Escobar became an unlikely regular for the Nats during the season's second half, filling in admirably following the trade of Trea Turner (along with Max Scherzer) to the Dodgers as the club began a...
Nationals agree to terms with Alcides Escobar
Nationals agree to terms with Alcides Escobar
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with infielder Alcides Escobar on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Escobar, 34, hit .288 with 21 doubles, two triples, four homers, 28 RBI, 17 walks, 53 runs scored and three stolen bases in 75 games for the Nationals. He joined the Nationals on July 3rd and from that point through the end of the season, ranked on the club in doubles (1st, 21), hits (1st, 92),...
Putting Hays in corner an appealing move for Orioles
Putting Hays in corner an appealing move for Orioles
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Among the important developments for the Orioles in 2021, and it requires looking past the record, run differential, negative WARs and the rest, is the ability of Austin Hays to stay in the lineup after his return from a strained left hamstring on June 11 and play in a career-high 131 games. A mark that wasn't hard to surpass considering the previous best was 33 last summer. Hays accumulated 529 plate appearances, and he built on a reputation for finishing strong while others tend to whither....
Nats' offseason plan must start with improved pitching
Nats' offseason plan must start with improved pitching
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Since taking over as Nationals general manager in 2009, Mike Rizzo has believed in one path to success above all else: Elite pitching. And not just elite pitching, but elite starting pitching. It was the hallmark of the franchise's eight-year run as a contender from 2012-19. Pick any year the Nats reached the postseason, and you'll find a rotation that ranked among the majors' best. "Our mantra here has been that starting pitching is the most important thing, and pitchers have to go deep in...