More thoughts on Alex Cobb
More thoughts on Alex Cobb
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Immediate reaction to yesterday morning's news that the Orioles were working on a trade to send veteran starter Alex Cobb to the Angels included the following: Why now? How many young pitchers are coming to the Orioles? What happens to the rotation? What is it about the Angels? How about that payroll? Not necessarily in that order, but you get the idea. Cobb might carry more value in early February than at the trade deadline, when he's a rental with free agency approaching. And there are no...
Orioles attempting to trade Cobb to Angels (updated)
Orioles attempting to trade Cobb to Angels (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles aren't done reducing their payroll and increasing the amount of young talent funneled into the organization during the rebuild process. An industry source confirmed this morning that the Orioles are in trade discussions with the Angels involving starting pitcher Alex Cobb, 33, who's entering the final year of his four-year, $57 million contract and currently stands as the second-highest paid player on the team. There's work to be done before the deal is finalized - a source told...
Will players go for MLB's delayed, 154-game proposal?
Will players go for MLB's delayed, 154-game proposal?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It's February, and February means the start of spring training. Nationals pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to West Palm Beach in 16 days, and if that isn't reason to smile on this snowy morning, what is? Unless pitchers and catchers don't actually report on Feb. 17 as scheduled, which appears to be the preference of Major League Baseball. MLB, according to multiple reports Sunday, has sent a proposal to the MLB Players Association requesting a one-month delay of spring training,...
As spring training approaches, the uncertainty remains in MLB
As spring training approaches, the uncertainty remains in MLB
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Welcome to February. The month, we think, when teams will report to spring training in Florida and Arizona. Orioles pitchers and catchers remain scheduled to report to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Feb. 16. The first spring training game is set for Feb. 27. Opening day is scheduled for April 1 at Boston. And that's no joke. Those are the dates as of this morning. It's all subject to change, of course. We're still in a pandemic. Most teams still could not sell tickets to any fans if they...
Grenier staying on shortstop grid
Grenier staying on shortstop grid
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias rattled off the names of shortstop prospects in the system during a recent Zoom conference call, the topic born from a question relating to how the club might fill the position next summer, he made sure to include the 37th overall selection in the 2018 draft. The former teammate of catcher Adley Rutschman at Oregon State University. A product of the final draft under the previous front office and head of scouting. Cadyn Grenier has...
On the passing of a great reporter and an even better person
On the passing of a great reporter and an even better person
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Those of us who work in baseball in this area and region today are feeling such a loss. Our friend here at MASN and MASNsports.com, our treasured colleague, Mel Antonen, passed away last night. Mel was 64 and battled a rare autoimmune disease and other health issues that made his battle against this disease one that was beyond challenging. That word just doesn't do it justice here. Baltimore-area media and friends of Mel would get updates over about the last year this was all going on. Mel...
Remembering Mel Antonen
Remembering Mel Antonen
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
"I'm gonna beat this." Every conversation with Mel Antonen over the past year, every email, every Zoom, every FaceTime, every single interaction included these words. Dealt a horrible hand with multiple health issues - something called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacked his liver, followed by bouts with COVID-19 and then lymphoma - Mel battled to the very end. Unfortunately, that came late Saturday night, when he passed in his sleep. Mel was 64. I...
A few questions for O's fans
A few questions for O's fans
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Just a short entry today that features a few questions. As always, feel free to answer one, two or all of them. Respond with comments on the answers of your fellow readers too. Feel free to pose any of your own questions with topics you may be wondering about as we are now weeks away from the scheduled start of spring training. We certainly have a few unanswered question about the coming season but we are now less than a few weeks away from report dates around Major League Baseball. So, on to...
Why the Nats keep finding themselves in need of catchers
Why the Nats keep finding themselves in need of catchers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals' acquisition Thursday evening of Alex Avila was no surprise. Which is to say, we'd known for months they were going to need to acquire a catcher from outside the organization to replace Kurt Suzuki and share the job with Yan Gomes. Whether it was Avila or one of the other available free agents, the Nats had to get themselves another catcher this winter, one way or the other. Why? Because they didn't feel like they had a viable in-house candidate for that job. And truth be told,...
Questions abound as report dates near
Questions abound as report dates near
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
We've entered a new month that draws us closer to the Feb. 16 report date for Orioles pitchers and catchers. The equipment truck left Camden Yards on Wednesday to begin the 1,000 mile journey to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla. And yet, we still aren't certain that Major League Baseball is offering a full spring training and 162-game regular season. There are assumptions, hope and the ever-present possibility that ownership and the union will be unable to agree on crucial...