Notes on Mendoza, Cluff and Snyder from alternate site
Notes on Mendoza, Cluff and Snyder from alternate site
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Here is more perspective on the advancement of third baseman/first baseman Drew Mendoza, who finally got his shot to participate in workouts and games in Fredericksburg, Va., in the summer. The No. 11 Nationals prospect joined other top 20 Nationals prospects, according to director of player development Mark Scialabba. "We got him to the alternate site start of September. Along with shortstop Jackson Cluff (No. 20) and catcher Israel Pineda (No. 14), we had the ability to get him there to get...
Do Akin and Kremer have firm hold on rotation spots?
Do Akin and Kremer have firm hold on rotation spots?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If we are to presume that two slots in the 2021 Orioles rotation are pretty much set and two others are somewhat set, that still leaves at least one spot open in the starting five for next season. The Orioles have some decisions to make before opening day next season, whenever that turns out to be. Do Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer return to the rotation where they ended last summer and join mainstays John Means and Alex Cobb? Where does this leave Jorge López? Can one or both of the Rule 5...
Leftovers for breakfast
Leftovers for breakfast
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has his scrubbed and sanitized hands full with his own club and a growing set of responsibilities. However, when another manager makes a decision in the World Series that backfires with such force that it shakes the entire industry, Hyde is bound to be asked about it. Especially on a Zoom conference call yesterday as part of the virtual Winter Meetings that don't have the usual four-day deadline. Rays skipper Kevin Cash took the ball from Blake Snell in Game 6, the...
Checking in with Orioles manager Brandon Hyde
Checking in with Orioles manager Brandon Hyde
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde held his virtual Winter Meetings interview this morning, providing his own update on Trey Mancini and sharing his thoughts on the spring training rotation and the losses of Renato Núñez, José Iglesias and Hanser Alberto. He also spoke about Chris Davis' health issues over the summer and how the first baseman will be competing for at-bats in 2021. Hyde sat in his spring training office at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He has no idea whether players will be...
Orioles announce 2021 promotions and all-new 5-game flex plan
Orioles announce 2021 promotions and all-new 5-game flex plan
Doug Miller
Orioles
The Orioles have announced their promotional schedule and select ticket plans for the 2021 season, highlighted by returning fan-favorite giveaways and many popular family and kids-oriented initiatives. The promotions schedule includes a wide variety of unique giveaway items and promotions to appeal to Birdland's diverse fanbase. The schedule features several bobbleheads, including Orioles Legend and Hall of Famer Jim Palmer on Saturday, July 24, and the Oriole Bird Mascot Hall of Fame...
#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Stoking the hot stove with retro wins
#TBT to "Nationals Classics": Stoking the hot stove with retro wins
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Admittedly, the hot stove has been, well, a tad chilly so far this offseason. Sure, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is talking to other executives, but we've yet to see anything resembling a big move out of him. Which is OK, given that some of Rizzo's splashiest deals seem to come out of nowhere. So what's a baseball-starved Nats fan to do? Between online shopping excursions and gift-wrapping marathons, check out this week's bevy of "Nationals Classics" on MASN. They will warm your...
"Orioles Classics" #TBT: Temporarily derailing the Rays
"Orioles Classics" #TBT: Temporarily derailing the Rays
Doug Miller
Orioles
The winter solstice is upon us, bringing more darkness than most of us would like as we witness the shortest days of the year. But look on the bright side: Beginning Tuesday, they start getting longer again. Shoot, before you know it, it'll be mid-February and pitchers and catchers will be checking in at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla. We hope. Especially given the current surge in the ongoing pandemic, it can be difficult to keep the winter doldrums from creeping into your...
Monday morning Nats Q&A
Monday morning Nats Q&A
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Well, we've reached the third week of December, and the hot stove remains pretty cold from the Nationals' perspective. All of the significant roster holes they knew they had a month ago remain significant roster holes. They've made a handful of fringe transactions, but nothing all that consequential yet. Perhaps that will change before this week is over. If nothing else, we're finally going to hear from general manager Mike Rizzo and manage Davey Martinez on the record. Both men are...
New Oriole Chris Shaw already familiar with several teammates
New Oriole Chris Shaw already familiar with several teammates
Steve Melewski
Orioles
One of the newest Orioles is an accomplished minor league hitter with power who has gotten just 72 at-bats over two seasons in the majors. He's a former hockey player who grew up a diehard Red Sox fan living just outside of Boston. And even though he comes from the San Francisco Giants, a club across the country, he has ties to the Orioles. He can't wait to reunite with some of the club's players. Chris Shaw, a 27-year-old, lefty-hitting outfielder and first baseman, was designated for...
Pop was perplexed prior to news of trade
Pop was perplexed prior to news of trade
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Zach Pop received a phone call from his agent Thursday after the Diamondbacks selected the right-handed reliever with the sixth pick in the Rule 5 draft. Pop should expect to hear from someone in the organization. Just be ready for it and congratulations. And then it got weird. Pop never spoke to anyone with the Diamondbacks and began to wonder what happened. He was warned instead on a follow-up call about rumors of a trade. "I was like, 'What? I just got picked,' " he said yesterday. The...