Baltimore Orioles Thread: Orioles Magic

[ThomasTomasz]

SEATTLE -- Looking to add depth to the infield, the Seattle Mariners have acquired versatile Robert Andino from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for reserve outfielder Trayvon Robinson.

The trade was made Tuesday and instantly gives the Mariners an experienced infielder who can play second base, third base and shortstop. Despite struggling at the plate, Andino has played in 266 games the last two seasons for the Orioles. Andino started 106 games last season for the Orioles, including 96 at second base.

Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik says the ability to add a versatile infielder with proven experience was appealing.

Robinson played in 90 games over the past two seasons for the Mariners. He hit .215 in his limited major league time, but was caught in a log-jam of outfielders seeking playing time in Seattle.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8656654/seattle-mariners-acquire-robert-andino-baltimore-orioles

Anyone know anything about Robinson? I think we sold low on Andino here, but he did struggle on offense this year.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Hale leaving the club to be bench coach with the Blue Jays. I would like to see Mike Bordick take that spot on the coaching staff for next season, and he would definitely help with coaching up the infield as well.

Word is out that the team also doesn't expect to offer arbitration to Mark Reynolds, but is trying to work out a contract with him before the Friday deadline. I'd like to see him back, personally.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Baltimore Orioles have acquired infielder Danny Valencia from the Boston Red Sox for cash.

The 28-year-old Valencia played in 44 games with Minnesota and Boston last season. He hit a combined .188 with three homers and 21 RBIs.

Valencia broke into the majors in 2010 with the Twins and had his best season in 2011, batting .246 with 15 homers and 72 RBIs in 154 games.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated infielder Joe Mahoney for assignment. Mahoney made his major league debut with Baltimore in 2012, going 0 for 4 in two games.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/orioles-obtain-infielder-valencia-red-194635186--mlb.html

Another low-risk signing, just for cash. Not a bad move by Duquette.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

The Orioles have shown interest in Brett Myers, who plans to pitch as a starter in 2013, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The Twins and Royals are among the other American League teams in on the right-hander. Here's more on the O's..

Dan Duquette spoke with reporters at the meetings and said that the team still has interest in re-signing Nate McLouth and Joe Saunders, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun tweets. Duquette added that the club has not had contact with Jim Thome and is not sure if he intends to play next season.
The O's feel good about their second base options and their priority remains trading for a middle-of-the-order bat, according to Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com (via Twitter).
Manager Buck Showalter has narrowed the third base coach search down and hopes to have it done by the end of the meetings, Encina tweets.

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#WujWW0LjZDUf5BJm.99

Myers would be an interesting piece to add, but I'm more concerned about a hitter for the middle of the order. It seems like the Orioles want to see who that player could be before they bring back either McLouth or Reynolds.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Sweet! He was solid defensively for us and a clutch bat in the playoffs. Since the team still wants to add an impact bat, I think Reynolds is done unless we can't find anyone else at a reasonable cost.

The Orioles have agreed to terms with Nate McLouth, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com (via Twitter). It will be a one-year deal, tweets Ghiroli. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun first reported that the two sides were closing in on an agreement.

Earlier today, we heard that while the Orioles were doing their due diligence on Nick Swisher, McLouth remained the team's top outfield priority. Baltimore had also inquired on Diamondbacks outfielder Jason Kubel, according to Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun. I'd imagine the agreement with McLouth will greatly reduce Baltimore's interest in Swisher and Kubel, but that's just my speculation.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#4gOMq5y3YQ0OFdoy.99

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/orioles-to-sign-nate-mclout.html

 

[Leftwich]

I wonder how much we paid for him

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I wonder how much we paid for him

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

The Sun is reporting $2 million with $500,000 in possible bonuses.

 

[Leftwich]

The Sun is reporting $2 million with $500,000 in possible bonuses.

If hes as good in the field and at the plate as last season, thats a hell of a good deal.


Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Conor Jackson signed to a minor league deal. Nice job to provide depth for the team, and he'll likely be competing with Danny Valencia for a roster spot.

Also, speculation is that the Orioles are out on Nick Swisher now. I definitely see that power bat coming from a trade now.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Well, guess our 1B/DH signings are going to be Conor Jackson and now Travis Ishikawa. I can only see one making the roster if no other moves are made. It seems that the FO is still making the decision on whether or not to pursue Adam LaRoche.

We also signed Daniel Scherleth to a deal as well, which could provide another solid bullpen arm if he is healthy this season.

 

[Leftwich]

Per the update i got via text:

Orioles have locked up Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter through 2018.

I hope we get that World Series somewhere in there.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Per the update i got via text:

Orioles have locked up Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter through 2018.

I hope we get that World Series somewhere in there.

I figured they would do the announcement now and have Fan Fest be the time to have the presser. Great news for the fans. I will finally be breaking my boycott and be back to attending games this coming season as well.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8...-extend-dan-duquette-buck-showalter-contracts

And it's official. Let the Magic continue.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

The talk about the Orioles’ interest in Diamondbacks outfielder Jason Kubel is again gaining steam, and executive vice president Dan Duquette will always inquire about a power bat like Kubel, who hit 30 homers last season and averaged 25 homers his past four full seasons.

But the Orioles won’t trade away a significant piece and assume Kubel’s contract unless they’re sold that the 30-year-old slugger will make them dramatically better in 2013.

And they’re not convinced.

Kubel’s name previously came up during the winter meetings, but the teams couldn’t find a fit then. The Diamondbacks’ demands might have come down since they’re really looking to move either Kubel or outfielder Justin Upton, but the Orioles still feel that Kubel’s trade price is more than they’re willing to give up.

Once the Orioles re-signed former Gold Glove outfielder Nate McLouth at the winter meetings, the acquisition of Kubel – who isn’t known for his defense – would mean that he’d see most of his at-bats as a designated hitter.

The Orioles already have a DH who hits right-handed pitching well in Wilson Betemit. And while Kubel’s power numbers are better, Betemit and Kubel have identical .268 batting averages and .334 on-base percentages for their careers.

Last season, Betemit and Kubel had identical offensive WARs (1.3). And Betemit even has a better carer average and on-base percentage against right-handed pitching (.281/.349) than Kubel (. 279/.343).

In some ways, the Orioles would be better served to obtain a DH candidate who hits left-handed pitching well. Duquette has trumpeted Danny Valencia, a career .316 hitter against left-handers, for that role but by no means does he have that job.

The Orioles would also have to make at least an $8.5 million commitment to Kubel. He makes $7.5 million next season and has a $7.5 million club option for 2014 with a $1 million buyout. Also, keep in mind that Duquette never inquired about Kubel last offseason when he was a free agent.

More than likely, this has more to do with the Diamondbacks than the Orioles, Arizona is determined to move either Kubel or Upton, and the Diamondbacks are making strong moves to gauge the trade value of both before making a move.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...ally-bette-20130123,0,2288779.story?track=rss

Please no. If they spend the prospect and cash for Kubel, it makes just as much sense to sign Michael Bourn for a season, or go with another FA.

 

[Leftwich]

Camden Yards got some snow.

 

[Goober]

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Time to start this back up gentlemen......or maybe it's just Lefty since I haven't seen Matt recently.

Looks like Johnson's cured whatever was getting to him over the past two weeks or so, or at the very least it looks like he's not forcing anything. Also nice to see another solid start from Gonzalez.

 

[Leftwich]

Before this season is over, it's gonna be a 5 team race for the top spot in the AL East. I imagine both wildcards are gonna come from this division, leaving 2 teams quite pissed off.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Before this season is over, it's gonna be a 5 team race for the top spot in the AL East. I imagine both wildcards are gonna come from this division, leaving 2 teams quite pissed off.

I think you mean four.....I can't see Toronto getting back into the race.

 

[strahanfan92]

You guys like for Dickerson to continue to get more ABs? Got him in the AL only league and love his swing.