Random take Tuesday
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It’s a random-take Tuesday around here. A few thoughts, yes on baseball, for your reading interest.  Will this become a regular thing here? Even I don't know that answer, but random-take Tuesday has a nice ring to it. Of course, we don't need a special day to express opinions around here. But I digress.  The playoff format is fine: Just because the
Nats still trying to get Robles back to 2019 form
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
PLAYER REVIEW: VICTOR ROBLES Age on opening day 2023: 25 How acquired: Signed as international free agent, July 2013 MLB service time: 4 years, 33 days 2022 salary: $1.65 million Contract status: Arbitration-eligible, free agent in 2025 2022 stats: 132 G, 407 PA, 366 AB, 42 R, 82 H, 10 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 15 SB, 4 CS, 17 BB, 104 SO, .224 AVG, .
Leftovers for breakfast
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
It feels like a homework assignment. Challenging the Orioles to pinpoint the exact moment when they realized the team would contend deep into the season. That it wasn’t a fluke. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias shares the opinion expressed by one of the club’s outfielders. “I read some quotes from Austin Hays and that was the way
A look at Ryan Mountcastle's 2022 season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
In evaluating Ryan Mountcastle’s 2022 season, it is easy to note that his homer total dropped from 33 in 2021 – a new O’s rookie record – to 22 last season. His OPS dropped from .796, which was 14 percent above league average to .729, which was five percent above the league. In 145 games Mountcastle, who will turn 26 in February, hit .250/.305/.423
Thomas got better as season wore on, now needs consistency
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
PLAYER REVIEW: LANE THOMAS Age on opening day 2023: 27 How acquired: Traded from Cardinals for Jon Lester, July 2021 MLB service time: 3 years, 14 days 2022 salary: $723,600 Contract status: Arbitration-eligible, free agent in 2026 2022 stats: 146 G, 548 PA, 498 AB, 62 R, 120 H, 26 2B, 2 3B, 17 HR, 52 RBI, 8 SB, 4 CS, 41 BB, 132 SO, .241 AVG, .301
Because You Asked - Rise of the Lycans
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The first offseason mailbag is here. I just wish the delivery guy hadn’t left it by my garage instead of walking up the steps and knocking on the front door. This is the latest sequel to the beloved original. You ask, I answer, you ask again, I begin to doubt myself. And then I conduct a frantic search for a movie title that I haven’t already used.
A few questions for O's fans
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Sometimes our fine readers ask me questions in the comments section, and I enjoy trying to answer most of them or form an opinion to pass along. Today is one of those days I ask the questions and seek answers and opinions from the readers. Welcome to our first offseason edition of “A few questions for O’s fans.” Feel free to answer all the question
Hernández didn't deliver for Nats despite ample opportunity
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
PLAYER REVIEW: CÉSAR HERNÁNDEZ Age on opening day 2023: 32 How acquired: Signed as free agent, November 2021 MLB service time: 8 years, 154 days 2022 salary: $4 million Contract status: Free agent 2022 stats: 147 G, 617 PA, 560 AB, 64 R, 139 H, 28 2B, 4 3B, 1 HR, 34 RBI, 10 SB, 4 CS, 45 BB, 114 SO, .248 AVG, .311 OBP, .318 SLG, .629 OPS, 84 OPS+, -
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More Orioles reflections from 2022 season
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles won’t stay quiet during the postseason. They haven’t shut down other than games no longer played. Same here. Let’s do a little more reflecting on 2022, a season that brought so many unexpected highs and unavoidable lows. I tend to zero in on anticipated story angles that didn’t develop, or energy wasted on certain topics because they se
Did surprising Vargas play himself into a role for 2023?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
PLAYER REVIEW: ILDEMARO VARGAS Age on opening day 2023: 31 How acquired: Signed as minor league free agent, May 2022 MLB service time: 3 years, 7 days 2022 salary: $700,000 Contract status: Arbitration-eligible, free agent in 2026 2022 stats (CHC/WSH): 63 G, 222 PA, 209 AB, 19 R, 55 H, 13 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 3 SB, 1 CS, 8 BB, 23 SO, .263 AVG, .