What's likely to be the final sticking point in negotiations?
What's likely to be the final sticking point in negotiations?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
If you're the optimistic sort, you probably looked at Monday's face-to-face meetings between Major League Baseball owners and player representatives, which took up most of the afternoon in Jupiter, Fla., as encouraging news. At last they two sides were talking in person, with actual participants involved, extending and reacting to competing offers, caucusing in separate corners for a while, then returning to present counteroffers before breaking for the day. If you're the pessimistic type,...
The little we've learned in recent days
The little we've learned in recent days
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Exactly one week has passed since Orioles pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Devising a new collective bargaining agreement also is complex, but the sides met yesterday in Jupiter - they caucused for about three hours separately before reconvening late in the afternoon - and Major League Baseball reportedly made modifications on the bonus pool and draft lottery, but there were no discussions about the luxury tax. They'll try again this...
Non-drafted JD Mundy swung a potent bat in 2021 season
Non-drafted JD Mundy swung a potent bat in 2021 season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
During my series of interviews with the four full-season Orioles minor league managers, I talked with 2021 high Single-A Aberdeen manager Kyle Moore and we discussed a few of his players from last season. Today we'll take a closer look at first baseman JD Mundy. In this recent entry, we discussed pitchers Garrett Stallings and Jake Prizina. Among the 28 Orioles on the farm last season who had 300 or more plate appearance, Mundy was an impressive first in OPS at .926. Adley Rutschman was second...
DH position has not been kind to Nats through the years
DH position has not been kind to Nats through the years
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Whether the lockout ends later this week, later this month or just some time way later down the road, we do already know one significant change that appears to be coming to all of Major League Baseball. For all the rancor between the league and the players over a host of issues, the one hot-button topic they seem to agree on is the designated hitter. Despite more than 120 years of established history with pitchers batting for themselves, the National League is poised to make the DH a permanent...
As rookie farm manager, Mercado can draw on Cape experience
As rookie farm manager, Mercado can draw on Cape experience
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Earlier this year, the Orioles did, in fact, hire someone who this summer will make the big jump from manager of a high school team to manager of the high Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds. That is an accurate statement. But another accurate statement is that calling him a high school coach doesn't begin to provide the full story of the baseball experiences for 42-year-old Robert Mercado. In his new role as Aberdeen skipper, Mercado will draw often on his time, from 2014 to 2021, as an assistant...
What would a condensed spring training look like?
What would a condensed spring training look like?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
We've tried to stay optimistic around here for the last 2 1/2 months, so until someone gives us legitimate reason not to be, we'll stay optimistic and hope Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association work out a deal within the next week and ensure opening day will proceed March 31 as planned. Even if that happens, though, it's going to be a wild scramble for everyone to get ready for spring training, open camps and get the proper work in to prepare players for the regular...
It's been busy during prospect ranking season
It's been busy during prospect ranking season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
During a lockout, we can't say it's baseball season yet. Hopefully, sooner than later. But we can say it is prospect ranking season. Multiple outlets have been coming out with player and team rankings. Today let's review what we have seen so far. Six Orioles were in the ESPN top 100: 1 - Adley Rutschman 8 - Grayson Rodriguez 74 - Colton Cowser 94 - DL Hall 96 - Gunnar Henderson 98 - Coby Mayo Five Orioles were in the Baseball America top 100: 1 - Rutschman 6 - Rodriguez 52 - Hall 57 -...
The birthday boy could still take his offense to a higher gear
The birthday boy could still take his offense to a higher gear
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Ryan Mountcastle turned 25 on Friday. As he gets ready for his third big league season, let's take a look at a few ways he can take an impressive 117 career OPS+ and maybe even do a little better. After 140 plate appearances in his 2020 debut season, Mountcastle finished eighth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting and was still rookie-eligible in 2021. And he finished sixth in the voting after last season. Over 144 games and 586 plate appearances last season, he batted...
Because You Asked - Hero of the Federation
Because You Asked - Hero of the Federation
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The first Sunday without football. No spring training. How about those Wizards? The mailbag isn't overflowing, but I'll dip into it anyway. There's always room for Jell-O and another sequel. This has been going on for a long time. Longer than I realized. A friend asked whether I could look up an article from Jan. 22, 2010 that she found amusing, to the point where she thanked me in a Facebook post for making her day. She didn't remember the content, just that it made her laugh. I did a...
Spring training games delayed until at least March 5
Spring training games delayed until at least March 5
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
What had already been widely understood was made official by Major League Baseball this afternoon: Spring training is delayed due to the ongoing labor battle that has yet to produce a new collective bargaining agreement. With camps across Florida and Arizona supposed to open earlier this week, and with the Grapefruit and Cactus league schedules set to commence Feb. 26, a postponement had become inevitable. In its formal announcement today, MLB - which enacted a lockout of the players when the...