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Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Columns:  Orioles' , outfield needs could be filled in non-tender market The Sun 11/22  Orioles notes: Hall of Fame ballot features several new O's; minor league slugger signed The Sun 11/21  Duquette: Britton's value in 'pen, not starting MLB.com 11/21  Mora, Rhodes get 1st shot on HOF ballot MLB.com 11/21  Leftovers for breakfast MASNsports.com 11/22  Orioles sign David Washington to minor league deal MASNsports.com 11/21  Guerrero, Mora among newcomers on Hall of Fame ballot MASNsports.com 11/21  In looking at the rotation, are O’s fans hopeful or fearful? MASNsports.com 11/22  MLB Rumor Central: Orioles considering Nick Hundley reunion? ESPN.com 11/21  In An Uncertain Orioles Offseason, One Certainty Exists PressBoxOnline.com 11/21  : Chris Tillman Extension 'Something We Can Explore Again' PressBoxOnline.com 11/21  Former Orioles , Arthur Rhodes On Hall of Fame Ballot CBS Baltimore 11/21  Orioles Reach To Host 7th Annual Birdland Golf Classic CBS Baltimore 11/21  Tap-In Question: Which eligible ex-O’s would be on your Hall ballot? BaltimoreBaseball.com 11/22  Wieters suffers forearm cut in household accident; will resume activities by January BaltimoreBaseball.com 11/21

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-designated-hitter-outfield-needs- could-be-filled-in-non-tender-market-20161122-story.html

Orioles' designated hitter, outfield needs could be filled in non-tender market

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun November 22, 2016

Lost in all the hand-wringing about how slugger is the new , who cashed in on one league-leading season in Baltimore and left Camden Yards in the dust, is that they arrived here in decidedly different ways.

Cruz was an Oriole on a one-year free-agent contract, using his time here as a make-good after failing to catch on once he was done in Texas. Trumbo, however, was traded from Seattle in his final year of salary arbitration, with the Orioles taking on $9.15 million in salary.

As players build service time, the system ensures them pay bumps that some teams might find too steep. This means they can be traded, as Trumbo was, or released, as Pedro Alvarez was last year by the .

Either way, it provides a chance to get a player who falls into the market for a lesser annual price than some of the top free agents.

As free agency begins, some teams have begun shedding those players already. Others are getting occasion to consider it. Here’s a quick rundown of players who could end up in Baltimore because their arbitration price is simply too steep. All prices below are the MLBTradeRumors arbitration projections.

Nori Aoki ($6.8 million) – Aoki was waived by the Mariners at the end of the season and caught on with the Houston Astros, but now that they’ve signed Josh Reddick and will have Brian McCann and Evan Gattis splitting designated hitter duties with and Jake Marisnick in the fold already. That means Aoki would be an expensive extra . If the Orioles want a left-handed hitting outfielder who is a career .286 hitter and is worth about a win every season, they should watch his market develop.

Chris Carter ($8.1 million) – The slugger was non-tendered by Houston in 2015 and 41 home runs, the most in the , in 2016. It’s a steep price for a career .218 hitter, but he’s a neutral split player and could fill a similar role to Alvarez if the Brewers don’t bring him back. The right-handed bat in a lineup that struggles with lefties would be an asset, as would the power. He’s essentially a right-handed at the plate, though.

Trevor Plouffe ($8.2 million) – This projected price tag was already too much for the to take, so they outrighted Plouffe off their roster. He’s now a free agent. Though the Orioles are set at his primary positions—third base and first base—Plouffe could be a valuable right-handed bat off the bench. He’s a career .268 hitter against lefties, with his OPS of .809 far better than his .697 OPS against righties. The fit defensively isn’t there, but offensively it is.

Ben Revere ($6.25 million) – Revere was seen as the missing piece in Washington last season, but ultimately got replaced by rookie in center field and is going to be a pricey reserve if his arbitration salary ends up where it’s projected. It was a stunning falloff, a hitter who hadn’t hit under .294 in five seasons .219 and watching nearly every rate stat plummet. He’s still a defensive asset, though, and while it’s been a while since he played right field, his presence would take a lot of pressure off defensively. Jones, Joey Rickard, and Revere would represent the best set of defenders the Orioles have put in the outfield in a long time.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-notes-hall-of-fame-ballot-features- several-new-o-s-minor-league-slugger-signed-20161121-story.html

Orioles notes: Hall of Fame ballot features several new O's; minor league slugger signed

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun November 21, 2016

This year’s ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame features a number of newcomers who at one point or another donned an Orioles uniform, headlined by slugger and Melvin Mora.

Of the 19 new players, five spent time in Baltimore — Guererro, Mora, , Casey Blake and Arthur Rhodes.

Guererro finished his career by serving as the Orioles’ designated hitter in 2009, and hit .290 with 13 home runs in 145 games. That capped a 16-year career that saw him make 10 All-Star appearances and win the MVP award in 2004 for the Anaheim Angels.

Mora was a memorable part of the Orioles during the 2000s, making a pair of All-Star appearances while batting .277 with 158 home runs in 10 seasons for the club.

Rhodes began his career with the Orioles at age 21 in 1991 and went on to pitch nine seasons with the Orioles, compiling a 4.86 ERA. He pitched for 11 more seasons after leaving the Orioles, making an All-Star Game at age 40 with the and ending his career with a 4.06 ERA.

Lee and Blake both briefly spent time with the Orioles. Lee, a two-time All-Star and three- time Gold Glove winner, played 85 games for the Orioles in 2011, batting .246 with a dozen home runs before he was dealt to Pittsburgh. Blake played six games with the Orioles in 2001 before embarking on a successful career in Cleveland and Los Angeles.

They join a list of former Orioles who carried over from last year, including , , Curt Schilling, plus and . Raines and Smith are in their final year on the ballot.

Minor move: /outfielder David Washington, formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals organization, was signed to a minor league contract and assigned to -A Norfolk.

Washington, listed at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, is a career .250 hitter who showed himself in 2016 to be the kind of power/on-base combination the Orioles covet. He hit 30 home runs between -A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis, but also struck out 169 times in 127 total games.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/209339724/zach-britton-best-suited-as-orioles-/

Duquette: Britton's value in 'pen, not starting

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com November 21, 2016

BALTIMORE -- Could Zach Britton be a potential rotation candidate next spring?

"That's something we've discussed internally, but I'm not sure it's something we are really interested in pursuing," Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said earlier this month at the General Managers Meetings. "I'm not sure that's something Zach is interested in pursuing. He's worked really hard to perfect his sinker, and that's made him a premier ."

Britton, a two-time All-Star closer, went a perfect 47-for-47 in opportunities and finished fourth in American League Award voting this season. Duquette has already said that adding a is not on the O's agenda this offseason, and he's made it clear he'd prefer not to trade Britton, who would be an interesting trade chip. But the possibility of the lefty returning to the rotation looks like a long shot at best.

If the Orioles are indeed set in their rotation -- which has been their weakest link over the past few seasons -- they'll probably once again need to rely heavily on the bullpen in 2017.

"The traditional way to build a pitching staff is to have a couple 200- guys in front, a setup man and closer -- and you bookend those and it should prevent you from long losing streaks and help you secure the wins," Duquette said. "But there aren't that many 200- pitchers anymore. It's a rarity. So in some ways it's more prudent to have a stronger bullpen.

"[Putting Britton in the rotation is] an interesting idea and worth discussing, but I'm not sure it's a direction we are interested in going. But who pitched better than Zach Britton this year?"

Britton, who last served as a starter in 2013, posted a 0.54 ERA in 69 games this past season. He is 9-4 with a 1.35 ERA in 206 career games (213 2/3 innings) as a reliever, versus 18-17 with a 4.86 ERA in 46 games (250 innings) as a starter. He has recorded at least 36 saves in each of the past three seasons.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/209323116/longtime-standouts-debut-on-hall-ballot/

Mora, Rhodes get 1st shot on HOF ballot Posada, Magglio, Wakefield among those seeking enshrinement in 2017

By Andrew Simon / MLB.com November 21, 2016

Soon, members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America will cast their ballots for the Hall of Fame's Class of 2017.

Among their choices will be returners who fell just shy of the 75-percent threshold in last year's voting, a group that includes (71.6 percent), Tim Raines (69.8) and (67.3). There also are a few high-profile newcomers. Vladimir Guerrero was a feared hitter with 449 homers and a National League MVP Award, Ivan Rodriguez is third all-time among catchers in wins above replacement (WAR), and hit 555 homers but also was suspended twice for his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Those bigger names can obscure some of the others who are eligible for the first time -- those players who have been retired for five years following a career of at least 10 Major League seasons. While it's likely that none of them will wind up in Cooperstown -- and many could fall off the ballot after one year by receiving less than five percent of the vote -- they still have accomplishments that are worth celebrating.

In that spirit, here is a look at the first-year candidates other than Guerrero, Rodriguez and Ramirez:

Casey Blake Career WAR: 24.9 Blake appeared in just 49 big league games between 1999-2002 before breaking out as a 29- year-old with the Indians in '03. Over the next eight seasons with the Indians and Dodgers, he averaged 20 home runs, 73 RBIs and 108 OPS+ while playing mostly third base but also first base and right field.

Pat Burrell Career WAR: 18.8 After finishing fourth in NL Rookie of the Year Award voting in 2000, Burrell became one of nine players to smack at least 20 homers in each of the next eight years, with a high of 37 in '02. He also played a key role for two -winning clubs: the '08 Phillies and '10 Giants.

Orlando Cabrera Career WAR: 21.4 From 2001-09, nobody started more times at than Cabrera, a two-time winner who reached at least 153 games played in eight of those seasons. A contact hitter, Cabrera racked up more than 200 career steals and helped Boston win a long-awaited World Series championship in 2004.

Mike Cameron Career WAR: 46.5 His .249 career batting average made him perpetually underrated, with just one career All-Star selection. But Cameron is one of just 13 players in history to have at least 10 seasons of 3.0 WAR or more in center field, thanks to his above-average production on both sides of the ball. He also is one of five primary center fielders to rack up at least 275 homers and 275 steals, joining , Carlos Beltran, and Steve Finley. An 18th-round pick in 1991, Cameron put together an 11-season from 1999-2009 during which he averaged 22 homers, 22 steals and a 111 OPS+ while winning three Gold Glove Awards.

J.D. Drew Career WAR: 44.9 Although he battled injuries, Drew could be a force when healthy. His 2004 season with the Braves demonstrated that, as the sweet-swinging lefty batted .305/.436/.569 with 31 homers, 93 RBIs, 118 walks and 8.3 WAR. Drew never came close to matching that production, but he still generated a career 125 OPS+, popped 242 homers and won a ring with the 2007 Red Sox.

Carlos Guillen Career WAR: 27.7 Once a prospect traded to the Mariners in the Astros' deal for , Guillen eventually blossomed in his own right. Guillen notched a 104 OPS+ or better in each of his final five seasons as a regular shortstop from 2003-07, a run that included three seasons with at least 19 homers and a .500 . By OPS+, his 2004 (143) and '06 (136) campaigns with Detroit are the second- and third-best produced by a switch-hitter at the position.

Derrek Lee Career WAR: 34.3 At the top of his game, Lee was the best hitter in baseball with the 2005 Cubs, leading MLB in average (.335), slugging (.662), OPS+ (174) and doubles (50), while launching 46 homers. That was the highlight of a decade (2000-09) in which the big first baseman posted a 130 OPS+ and averaged 27 homers, winning a ring with the '03 Marlins. Lee finished his career with more than 300 homers and 1,000 RBIs.

Melvin Mora Career WAR: 28.2 Mora played every position except pitcher and over 13 seasons, starting at least 130 games apiece at third base, shortstop, left field and center field. He also was a late bloomer, making his big league debut at age 27 in 1999 -- eight years after the Astros signed him out of Venezuela. Mora made up for lost time, however, posting a 116 OPS+ and averaging 20 homers and 3.6 WAR from 2002-08 with Baltimore.

Magglio Ordonez Career WAR: 38.5 A dangerous right-handed batter for the White Sox and Tigers, Ordonez made six All-Star teams between 1999-2007, batting .315/.376/.534 (133 OPS+) with an average of 25 homers and 102 RBIs over that span. Despite some subpar defensive numbers, Ordonez put together four seasons of at least 5.0 WAR, including 2007, when he led the Majors in batting average (.363) and doubles (54) for Detroit.

Jorge Posada Career WAR: 42.7 Hall of Famer or not, Posada certainly will go down as a Yankees legend, spending his entire career with the organization and donning the pinstripes in six World Series. A five-time All-Star who won five Silver Slugger Awards, Posada also is one of the best offensive catchers of all time. The switch-hitter's 275 career homers rank eighth at the position, while his 121 OPS+ sits fourth among catchers with at least 5,000 plate appearances since 1940.

Edgar Renteria Career WAR: 32.1 The five-time All-Star shortstop won the 1997 World Series for the Marlins with a walk-off hit, and the for the Giants with a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning of the decisive Game 5. He was named MVP of the latter Fall Classic. In between, Renteria enjoyed a six-year peak ('02-07) in which he batted .303/.361/.434 (107 OPS+) and averaged 11 homers, 38 doubles, 18 steals and 3.6 WAR for St. Louis, Boston and Atlanta.

Arthur Rhodes Career WAR: 15.0 The left-hander debuted as a 21-year-old starter in 1991, but he spent most of his 20-year career in the bullpen. Rarely used as a closer (33 saves), Rhodes still racked up 900 appearances -- sixth-most all-time for a southpaw. From 1998-2010, he held left-handed batters to a meager .212/.273/.302 line over more than 1,100 plate appearances.

Freddy Sanchez Career WAR: 15.8 Sanchez played only 41 big league games before turning 27, and injuries ended his career at 33. He made the most of the time in between, making three All-Star teams as an infielder and winning an NL batting title in 2006, when he hit .344 and led the league with 53 doubles. Over his final seven seasons, Sanchez batted .299 with a 100 OPS+ and earned a ring with the 2010 Giants.

Matt Stairs Career WAR: 14.3 The Canadian slugger hit 265 career home runs in 19 seasons, with his best stretch coming with the A's from 1997-2000, when he averaged 28 homers, 90 RBIs and a 125 OPS+. Stairs became a feared pinch-hitter and the end of his career, and he finished with an MLB-record 23 homers off the bench. Stairs also set a record for position players by suiting up for 13 teams (12 franchises).

Jason Varitek Career WAR: 24.3 Between 1997-2011, Varitek caught nearly 1,500 games for the Red Sox. During that time, he set a record (since tied by ) by guiding four pitchers to no-hitters, and he helped Boston win the World Series in 2004 and '07. A switch-hitting three-time All-Star, Varitek finished just shy of 200 career homers, posting 11 seasons in double digits.

Tim Wakefield Career WAR: 34.5 One of the game's top knuckleball artists, Wakefield's career took off in 1995, when the Red Sox signed him after his release by the Pirates. In 17 seasons with Boston, Wakefield won 186 games -- taking him to an even 200 -- ate up more than 3,000 innings, and posted an above-average 106 ERA+. By the time his career ended at age 45, he had become the sixth pitcher since 1940 to log more than 450 starts and 150 relief appearances.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/11/leftovers-for-breakfast-55.html

Leftovers for breakfast

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com November 22, 2016

Not only are the Orioles preparing pay increases for the arbitration-eligible players who will be tendered contracts for 2017, they also are considering contract extensions for part of the group.

There’s no time like the present.

The Orioles failed in the past to reach agreement with pitcher Chris Tillman and , though talks never reached a point where deals were realistic. That’s especially true with Tillman, who made headlines a few springs ago when word broke that the Orioles reached out to his agent. I’ve heard the conversation never advanced beyond an initial offer from the club that was the equivalent of sticking a toe in the water.

Hardly worth the media fuss, which included reporters surrounding him outside the visiting clubhouse in Lakeland, Fla.

Tillman is a free agent following the 2017 season. Machado and closer Zach Britton can test the market after 2018. And they’re not getting any cheaper.

Asked about extension talks this winter, executive vice president Dan Duquette replied, “That’s always a possibility.”

“We usually address that during the course of the negotiation,” he said. “Some of these players, that will come up during their arbitration contract negotiation. And we’ve got a couple other young pitchers - (Mychal) Givens, (Dylan) Bundy, (Kevin) Gausman. You could add them to that list for speculation, too, if you want.”

Like I’d ever pass up a chance to speculate.

“Those are some good guys for us,” Duquette continued, “and we can always address that as we go through the process.”

* Givens is included on the list of young pitchers who benefited from the tutelage of Double-A Bowie pitching . Left-hander Donnie Hart is another one. Mills interviewed for the positions of Orioles pitching and bullpen coach, the latter seeming like the more likely spot for him. I asked him recently whether he takes special pride in how Givens and Hart have contributed on the major league level.

“I enjoy working with all the guys, even the guys that haven’t made that jump,” Mills said. “Same thing with guys like and Matthew Grimes. Whenever you come up a level, you have to go through a learning curve, what the guys are doing at that level. Whenever you have a guy and you see him make progress, I always feel good for them.

“It’s understood that when you’re playing , you’ve been pretty good at the game for most of your life and sometimes you hit a little stumbling block or whatever. And once you see guys make breakthroughs, it’s a joy to watch.”

* Still no word on a new pitching coach, but it continues to appear that Roger McDowell is the favorite unless there’s a late change.

There are a certain number of steps involved before a deal becomes official, including the final word from ownership. It could happen at any minute.

The new hire obviously will have some input on the selection of a bullpen coach. The Orioles will make their decision and hope there’s no conflict.

It’s easy to become spoiled by the relationship between Dave Wallace and , but such package deals are a rarity.

* The Orioles took an early liking to free agent catcher Jason Castro, but a FOXSports.com report that he’s got multiple three-year offers and could net a four-year deal seemingly removes them from the competition.

They’re looking for a veteran on a shorter-term contract to pair with Caleb Joseph as they prepare for Matt Wieters to sign with another club and wait for top catching prospect Chance Sisco to push for a promotion.

I’ve written previously about the Orioles’ ongoing interest in Nick Hundley and how they wanted to retain him after the 2014 season, but they weren’t willing to offer a second guaranteed year and he bolted for the Rockies. They haven’t soured on him. He’s still an attractive option for them. But would they give him two years with Sisco waiting in the wings?

It’s déjà vu all over again.

* Don’t try to sell former Oriole on the notion that team chemistry is overrated. He’s not buying it.

“The biggest thing I can take out of my career, and I hate when people say this, they say, ‘Oh, chemistry is bull(crap). Get the best players out there and you’ll win.’ No, that’s not true,” Huff said.

“I’ve been on teams where it was absolutely toxic in the locker room and you’re in dead last place. I get to San Francisco and everybody there shows up early and leaves late. Everybody loved each other. It was a blast to be in that clubhouse. I couldn’t wait to get there. My feet would hit the floor in the morning and I could not wait to get to the clubhouse. When you have a clubhouse like that, how you are in the clubhouse around your guys is going to determine if you win or not.

“I’m a huge believer in getting baseball guys for clubhouse chemistry, not superstars, and I think that’s where GMs across the league miss the mark. They go after all these big high-end free agents and they don’t do their due diligence on the baseball guys that are good people in the locker room who will lead by example. Not so much by the stats they put on the field. You get a bunch of guys who like to play together, that’s a difference-maker.”

* The Orioles are among the group of businesses to receive the 2016 Mayor’s Business Recognition Awards at the 42nd annual luncheon ceremony on Dec. 5 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront.

The annual awards event, which is presented by the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Baltimore Development Corporation and the Mayor’s Office, honors businesses for “their outstanding corporate leadership, commitment to community and dedication to improving the quality of life in Baltimore City.”

These businesses have engaged in specific activities or projects that have significantly benefited the Baltimore community and are outside of the business’s regular mission or day-to-day work or activities of the business. Casey Cares Foundation nominated the Orioles.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Baltimore Orioles Ayers Saint Gross, Inc. BB&T Corporation Feats Inc. and Fund for Educational Excellence Radisson Hotel Baltimore Downtown - Inner Harbor Roland Park Place University of Maryland, Baltimore WBAL Radio/98 Rock Wright, Constable & Skeen, LLP Write Notepads & Co.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/11/orioles-sign-david-washington-to-minor- league-deal.html

Orioles sign David Washington to minor league deal

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com November 21, 2016

The Orioles added a power bat to their farm system this afternoon. A big guy who hits a lot of home runs, can get on base and also is prone to striking out.

David Washington, 26, agreed to a minor league deal and will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk after spending eight seasons in the Cardinals organization.

Washington was a 15th-round pick in 2009 out of University City High School in San Diego. He’s a career .250/.335/.456 hitter who reached the Triple-A level for the first time this summer.

The Cardinals promoted Washington from Double-A Springfield to Memphis on May 5 and he registered a .255/.349/.528 slash line with 25 home and 62 RBIs in 345 at-bats with the Redbirds. He added five home runs at Memphis.

Washington struck out 142 times with Memphis and 27 at Springfield, where he appeared in 22 games. He elected free agency earlier this month.

Washington is listed as a first baseman and corner outfielder. He’s also listed at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds. He won’t be hard to find.

With expected to break camp with the Orioles next spring, Washington could be the replacement at first base. Christian Walker moved to left field this season.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/11/guerrero-mora-and-rhodes-among- newcomers-on-hall-of-fame-ballot.html

Guerrero, Mora among newcomers on Hall of Fame ballot

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com November 21, 2016

Ten former Orioles are included on the latest Hall of Fame ballot released today by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

The most prestigious newcomers are Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez and Ivan Rodriguez. Guerrero concluded his 16-year career with the Orioles in 2011, batting .290/.317/.416 with 30 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 145 games. The 13 home runs were his lowest total since he hit 11 in 90 games with the Expos in 1997.

Other former Orioles include first-timers Melvin Mora, Arthur Rhodes, Derrek Lee and Casey Blake. They join Mike Mussina, Tim Raines, Lee Smith, Sammy Sosa and Curt Schilling.

Candidates must be named on 75 percent of ballots cast by selected BBWAA members with 10 or more consecutive years of coverage to gain election. Players may remain on the ballot provided they receive at least five percent of the vote for up to 10 years.

Results will be announced on Jan. 18, 2017 on MLB Network.

Raines and Smith are on the ballot for the last time. I’ve voted for them in the past.

There are 15 holdovers after Ken Griffey Jr. and were inducted last year. Jeff Bagwell (71.6 percent) fell 15 votes shy of joining them. The only other players to be named on more than half the ballots were Raines (69.8 percent), Schilling (52.3) and Trevor Hoffman (67.3).

Here’s the complete list of candidates:

Jeff Bagwell Casey Blake Orlando Cabrera Mike Cameron J.D. Drew Carlos Guillén Vladimir Guerrero Trevor Hoffman Derrek Lee Edgar Martínez Fred McGriff Melvin Mora Mike Mussina Magglio Ordóñez Tim Raines Manny Ramírez Edgar Rentería Arthur Rhodes Iván Rodríguez Freddy Sánchez Curt Schilling Lee Smith Sammy Sosa Billy Wagner

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/11/in-looking-at-the-rotation-are-os-fans- hopeful-or-fearful.html

In looking at the rotation, are O’s fans hopeful or fearful?

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com November 22, 2016

While this has the potential to be a quieter offseason than most for the Orioles, it also seems like it will be an offseason without the pursuit of a starting pitcher. At least one that can step right in on the big league level.

Right now, the Orioles have six starters for five spots. Some feel the rotation gets off to a good start with Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman and . But then it falls off a cliff with the veterans , Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley.

Let’s start with Gallardo. He went 6-8 with a 5.42 ERA that ranked as the worst of his career. The Orioles added a pitcher that had worked to an ERA exactly two runs less at 3.42 the previous season with Texas and one that had pitched 180 innings or more seven straight seasons. For Baltimore, he threw just 118 innings and he went on the disabled list with shoulder issues.

But Gallardo gave up three runs in 12 innings over his last two starts of the season and pitched to an ERA of 3.38 in a four-start stretch in August. Throwing around 88 mph before he went on the DL, he showed more readings of 91-92 mph after. The Orioles hope that he will have a healthy year in 2017 and look more like the pitcher they thought they signed before the 2016 season.

Miley had an ERA of 8.41 in his first eight starts with the Orioles, but worked to an ERA of 1.23 over his last three starts with two walks and 23 . It was a dramatic reversal. If Miley could pitch closer to his career 4.18 ERA, the O’s would have a back-end piece of their rotation with four years of 190 or more innings on his resume. And he’s a lefty.

Jimenez pitched to an ERA of 2.45 with a WHIP of 0.86 over his last seven starts of the year, starting Aug. 25. From that date, he allowed a batting average against of just .170, which was the lowest in the majors during that span. His season ended badly in a relief role in the wild card game. But did his strong finish leading up to the postseason provide him the confidence to pitch better in 2017 than his season ERA of 5.44? Jimenez is 26-31 with an ERA of 4.72 in his three Baltimore seasons.

Meawhile, Tillman went 16-6 with an ERA of 3.77 in 30 starts, Gausman was 9-12 with a 3.61 ERA in 30 starts and Bundy went 10-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 36 games with 14 starts.

The Orioles rotation improved by a large margin in the second half. At the All-Star break, the starters had an ERA of 5.15. In the second half, that number was 4.24. Over a full year, a rotation pitching to an ERA of 4.24 would have ranked fourth in the American League in 2016.

Can the 2017 starters look more like the second-half rotation next year? Can the Orioles contend with three starters that look solid and three that look shaky?

The Orioles rotation depth for next year could come from pitchers on the big league roster or at the higher levels of the minors like Tyler Wilson, Mike Wright and Joe Gunkel. It might also include Jayson Aquino, Parker Bridwell, Jason Garcia and David Hess.

During the 2016 season, the rotation was an issue often for the Orioles. But a better second half, which included some solid final starts from Gallardo, Miley and Jimenez, might provide at least a glimmer of hope for a more solid rotation starting in April.

http://insider.espn.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post/_/id/31120/mlb-rumor-central-orioles-considering- nick-hundley-reunion

MLB Rumor Central: Orioles considering Nick Hundley reunion?

By Nick Ostiller / ESPN.com November 21, 2016

If the are unable to bring back free-agent catcher Matt Wieters in free agency this winter, they may need to start planning for alternatives behind the plate in 2017.

According to Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com, one such option is free-agent catcher Nick Hundley, who slashed .260/.320/.439 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs in 83 games with the last season.

Hundley and the Orioles are not unfamiliar with each other, as he spent the second half of the 2014 season in Baltimore -- slashing .233/.273/.352 with five home runs and 19 RBIs over 174 plate appearances with the team.

Connolly writes that "by pining for a catcher this early, not only would [the Orioles] be saying the unofficial goodbye to Wieters, but they’d also be subtly telling Caleb Joseph that his disastrous offensive season in 2016 means he can’t be the full-time guy in 2017." Joseph, who served as Wieters' backup, managed just a .413 OPS with three extra-base hits over 141 plate appearances last season.

Other reasons that Connolly believes a reunion with Hundley makes sense for the Orioles are that Baltimore "pitchers liked throwing to [Hundley], he got along well with Joseph and Wieters and he made a real connection with catching instructor John Russell."

Hundley, 33, earned $3.15 million with Colorado in 2016, a season in which he missed a month with a left oblique strain.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2016/11/21/in-an-uncertain-orioles-offseason-one-certainty- exists

In An Uncertain Orioles Offseason, One Certainty Exists

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com November 21, 2016

Before last Friday's deadline for adding players within the organization to the 40-man roster, the Orioles decided on just two additions: pitchers Joe Gunkel and Jesus Liranzo.

Gunkel was a somewhat surprising choice. He was 8-14 with a 4.02 ERA with the Double-A and Triple-A Norfolk Tides and was never called up to the Orioles in 2016 despite many of his teammates getting a shot.

Liranzo is a hard-throwing 21-year-old right-hander who struck out 66 batters in 53 innings with the -A and Bowie last year.

The Orioles still have only 35 players on their 40-man, and that leaves lots of room for free agents, waiver-wire pickups and executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette's specialty of the house, Rule 5 draftees.

Throughout the first five years of the Duquette administration, the Orioles have been active in the Rule 5, which this year takes place Dec. 8, the last day of the winter meetings at Washington, D.C.'s National Harbor. The Orioles have taken a player in the Rule 5 draft for 10 straight years, the longest streak in baseball.

But, in the five years preceding Duquette (2006-10), just one of those picks, reliever Randor Bierd (2007), actually played for the Orioles during the year he was drafted. Another, Alfredo Simon (2006), was drafted from the ' organization, returned to the Rangers but later resurfaced with the Orioles.

During his five years, Duquette has been one of the best in baseball at this arcane -- but for the Orioles, important -- phase of team building.

The Orioles haven't had enough position players successfully transition from the minors to the major leagues in recent years, and that's where the Rule 5 draft comes in.

Two of Duquette's picks, infielder Ryan Flaherty (2011) and outfielder Joey Rickard (2015), provided the Orioles with necessary depth.

Another, pitcher T.J. McFarland (2012), provided two creditable seasons with the team before falling off during the last two. He may not be back with team in 2017.

Infielder Michael Almanzar, picked in 2013, never made the team, and pitcher Jason Garcia, who the Orioles kept in 2015, floundered at Bowie in 2016.

Flaherty has stayed with the Orioles for five seasons and filled a valuable role: utility man. But with a .216 lifetime average, the team may decide to move on. According to MLBTradeRumors.com, Flaherty is slated to earn an estimated $1.7 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility, and the Orioles could try to acquire a cheaper utility man.

One way they could do that is through the Rule 5, and the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, which should be completed in the coming days, may make it easier.

Reports indicate that, in the new CBA, rosters will expand to 26 players, and while many teams may simply use that spot for another pitcher, it makes it easier to keep a Rule 5 selection, who must stay with the drafting team for the entire season.

Duquette's pick of Rickard a year ago looks strong He started the season off well, batting .280 through the first month.

Rickard injured a ligament in his right thumb fielding a ball at July 20 and never played again. He hit .268 with a decent .319 OBP.

He provided the Orioles with solid outfield defense and speed. His four stolen bases, none after mid-June, actually led the Orioles. Rickard was Adam Jones' backup in center, and it wasn't until the team picked up Aug. 31 that there was another adequate centerfield understudy.

Rickard can now be freely sent to the minor leagues, but unless the Orioles acquire new outfielders who have a similar skillset, he'll start the season with the team.

Barring a trade, the Orioles look to have 11 pitchers with excellent chances to make the club: Starters Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Yovani Gallardo, Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley along with relievers Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens and Donnie Hart.

Duquette is looking to add additional pitchers, but among the current 11, only Givens and Hart have options. That may make keeping a Rule 5 pitcher tricky, but it's not impossible.

The Orioles could even take two players in the draft. Two years ago, they went to camp with both Garcia and another pitcher, Logan Verrett, who was claimed on waivers by Texas and later returned to the .

With a possible opening in the infield and certainly one in the outfield, the surest bet during next month's winter meetings is that the Orioles will extend their Rule 5 draft streak to 11 straight years.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2016/11/21/orioles-gm-dan-duquette-chris-tillman-extension- something-we-can-explore-again

Dan Duquette: Chris Tillman Extension 'Something We Can Explore Again'

By Luke Jackson / PressBoxOnline.com November 21, 2016

This time last year, Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette and the rest of the club were preparing for what would turn out to be an expensive offseason that included re-signing first baseman Chris Davis and reliever Darren O'Day, making a deal for outfielder Mark Trumbo and picking up outfielder Hyun-Soo Kim, designated hitter Pedro Alvarez and starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo in free agency.

The Orioles probably won't spend like that this time around, in part because of the commitments made last offseason and significant arbitration raises scheduled for the likes of third baseman Manny Machado and closer Zach Britton. However, the Orioles' payroll -- which was $147,693,713 million in 2016, according to Cot's Contracts -- has steadily risen each year of Duquette's tenure.

Duquette joined "The Bat Around" Nov. 12 and touched on Baltimore's financial flexibility this winter.

"Since 2011, we're up about half a million fans, which is a significant increase," Duquette said. "The fact that the fans are out supporting us gives us more resources to devote to our major league player payroll. We've tried to have a competitive team every year, and we've been very competitive for the last five years. We've won more games than [any] other club in the American League, so I think our fans have an expectation that we're going to be competitive year in and year out."

One of the items on the docket for Duquette is addressing the future of the Orioles' own free agents. Trumbo, Alvarez and catcher Matt Wieters became free agents shortly after the World Series ended. Wieters, in particular, is an interesting case because of the Orioles' lack of internal options at the position; top prospect Chance Sisco probably needs more time in the minors to work on his defense.

Wieters' .243/.302/.409 line last year is uninspiring at first glance, but he should command a three- or four-year deal considering the scarcity of quality catching around the league. Also helping Wieters' cause is that he played in 124 games and showed no lingering effects of Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in 2014.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen with Matt Wieters. We have a need there, behind the plate," Duquette said. "We'll have to take a look at some of our young catchers in the spring, including Chance Sisco. Francisco Pena, we saw last year, and we had another kid, Audrey Perez, that had a good year in Triple-A. So let's take a look at them this spring. So, we're looking for more catching depth. … We'll continue to look for that in the offseason."

Not only do the Orioles have holes to fill for the 2017 season, but they also have a number of talented players of their own approaching free agency in the coming years. It's been well documented Machado and Britton are currently scheduled to become free agents after the 2018 season. But not to be forgotten is starting pitcher Chris Tillman, whose contract is up after 2017.

Tillman has been the Orioles' starter three years running. Posting a 3.77 ERA throughout 172 innings in 2016, Tillman was a rock -- particularly during the first half -- for an Orioles' starting staff that was constantly in flux. The 28-year-old has won 72 games for the Orioles through eight seasons.

"We have made an effort to sign him to a long-term [deal] that didn't result in an agreement or contract, but that's certainly something we can explore again," Duquette said of Tillman. "But he's done a nice job for us, and we like the work that he's done."

Another piece of the Orioles' agenda is hiring replacements for pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti, both of whom left to work in the ' organization after their contracts with Baltimore expired. Duquette said one of the Orioles' internal candidates to fill one of those roles is Double-A Bowie pitching coach Alan Mills.

Mills pitched in the big leagues for 12 years, winning 39 games and posting a 4.12 ERA during that span. He pitched for the Orioles from 1992-98 and again from 2000-01. Now he's teaching the trade to young Orioles.

"Mychal Givens, who made the transition from player to pitcher, did a lot of his work under the tutelage of Alan Mills, and he helped Mychal," Duquette said. "Donnie Hart came up from Double-A to the big leagues. Alan has had an impact on the major league team with the work he's done with some of these younger guys. He's a very humble guy, he gives all the credit to the players, and I think he has some good relationships with the players that help them unlock their talent and perform."

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/11/21/former-orioles-melvin-mora-arthur-rhodes-on-hall-of- fame-ballot/

Former Orioles Melvin Mora, Arthur Rhodes On Hall of Fame Ballot

CBS Baltimore November 21, 2016

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Nineteen players debuted on the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot this year, including former Orioles Melvin Mora, Vladimir Guerrero and Arthur Rhodes.

Nine-time winner Manny Ramírez compiled a .312 batting average over 19 seasons as an outfielder with teams like the Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers, White Sox and Rays, totaling 555 home runs, 1,831 RBI and 12 All-Star Game selections.

Vladimir Guerrero is also on the list after hitting .318 during a 16-year career with the Expos, Angels, Rangers and Orioles, totaling 449 home runs, 2,590 hits and 1,496 RBI. He posted 10 seasons with at least 100 RBI, stole 181 bases and was named the 2004 American League Most Valuable Player.

Also debuting on the BBWAA ballot this year are Casey Blake, Pat Burrell, Orlando Cabrera, Mike Cameron, J.D. Drew, Carlos Guillén, Derrek Lee, Melvin Mora, Magglio Ordóñez, Jorge Posada, Edgar Rentería, Arthur Rhodes, Freddy Sánchez, Matt Stairs, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.

The results of the BBWAA election will be announced on Jan. 18. Any candidate receiving votes on at least 75 percent of all ballots cast will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 30, 2017.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/11/21/orioles-reach-to-host-7th-annual-birdland-golf-classic/

Orioles Reach To Host 7th Annual Birdland Golf Classic

CBS Baltimore November 21, 2016

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — On Thursday, February 16, the Orioles will hold the Seventh Annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. to benefit the Miracle League of Manasota, an organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for every person to play baseball, regardless of their ability.

Registration is now open for golfers and corporate partners.

The classic will feature a silent auction and the chance to play a round with current and former Orioles players and coaches. Following the event, the golf club will host a dinner for participating golfers, as well as Orioles players and coaches.

Since its inception, the Birdland Golf Classic has raised more than $200,000 for the Miracle League of Manasota.

For the 14,000 school-aged children and countless adults with disabilities in Sarasota and Manatee counties, the Miracle League of Manasota raised funds to build a synthetically-surfaced at a location that serves participants from both counties.

Sarasota County committed $500,000 to building the field, with the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates each contributing $75,000. Located at Longwood Park north of University Parkway in Sarasota, the field opened in March 2012. Since then, more than 500 players have participated in the league’s 10 seasons.

“The Birdland Golf Classic is so important in keeping the league thriving for children and adults who normally wouldn’t get to engage in a team sport like baseball. The leadership and outreach the Orioles have demonstrated has been felt across our entire community,” said Max Levine, Miracle League Board Member and Birdland Golf Tournament Chairman.

For more information or to register for the golf event, visit http://www.miracleleaguemanasota.org.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/11/22/tap-question-eligible-ex-os-hall-ballot/

Tap-In Question: Which eligible ex-O’s would be on your Hall ballot?

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com November 22, 2016

One of the great things about being a baseball writer is there is always something to write about or consider, even when there are no games.

We just finished last week with baseball’s annual BBWAA awards and the setting of rosters for the Rule 5 draft. Free agency is underway, the winter meetings are right around the corner and we’re anticipating a hiring announcement concerning the Orioles’ pitching coach any day now (most likely, Roger McDowell).

And, on Monday, the 2017 Hall of Fame ballot was announced.

It has a whole lot of Orioles’ flavor.

So, come into the Tap Room, grab a seat and a dark, winter beer (porter, maybe) and let’s talk Hall of Fame inclusion while the winds (trade and otherwise) swirl outside this dive.

There are 34 candidates for induction this year – and 10 of them played for the Orioles, at least briefly. Casey Blake, for instance, had 16 plate appearances for the Orioles in 2001. He’s one of 19 new candidates on the ballot this year – and, no, he’s not the headliner.

That distinction probably goes to 14-time All Star Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, who won 13 Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards and retired as one the best all-around catchers in baseball history.

But there are two other eyebrow-raising, first-year candidates: outfielder Manny Ramirez, who had more than 500 home runs and two performance-enhancing drug suspensions; and outfielder/designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero, who completed his splendid, 16-year career with 13 homers and 63 RBIs in his lone season with the Orioles in 2011.

One of the most popular Orioles of the past 15 years also is a first-time candidate on the Hall of Fame ballot: Melvin Mora, who spent 10 of his 13 years in the majors playing in Baltimore. His 1,503 hits and 171 homers won’t get him into Cooperstown, but he did have some great seasons with the Orioles, including 2004, when he set the franchise record with a .340 batting average.

First baseman Derrek Lee and lefty Arthur Rhodes, perhaps two of the better people to play for the Orioles in the last 20 years, are also ballot newcomers with Orioles ties.

Ballot holdovers include former Oriole pitchers Mike Mussina, Curt Schilling and Lee Smith and outfielders Tim Raines Sr., and Sammy Sosa.

I think Mussina and Schilling have a real chance to get in, but I doubt it will be in 2017. So does Raines, who played four games with the Orioles in 2001 (basically, so he could be on the same team as his son).

But this is Raines’ last year of eligibility for induction by the Baseball Writers Association of America. He received 69.8 percent of the vote last year; candidates need to be named on 75 percent of submitted ballots to be enshrined.

A candidate must get at least five percent of the vote to stay on for next year, so players like Mora, Blake and Lee are probably one-and-done. ( dropped off the writers’ ballot in 2014 after getting just 4.4 percent in his fourth year of eligibility).

This is Smith’s last chance on the writers’ ballot before ultimately being sent to the veterans’ committee (this is his 15th year of candidacy; he was grandfathered in when the eligibility terms were changed from 15 to 10 years in 2015).

Full disclosure, or partial anyway: I have a Hall of Fame vote, but won’t be revealing mine until the full results are announced January 18. Besides, I have a lot of research to do between now and the end of the year. I always like to put a fresh eye on the candidates’ numbers before submitting my ballot.

But this is about you, and your Oriole watching.

Let’s get parochial today. Forget about Jeff Bagwell, Trevor Hoffman, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds (wish it were that easy for the barkeep).

Let’s say your ballot only has the 10 ex-Orioles on it. Tell me which of those former Orioles belong in the Hall of Fame (explaining why would be a bonus): Casey Blake, Vladimir Guerrero, Derrek Lee, Melvin Mora, Mike Mussina, Tim Raines, Arthur Rhodes, Curt Schilling, Lee Smith and Sammy Sosa.

Tap-In Question: Which eligible former Orioles (or Oriole) would be on your Hall-of-Fame ballot? Why?

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2016/11/21/wieters-suffers-forearm-cut-household-accident- will-resume-baseball-activities-january/

Wieters suffers forearm cut in household accident; will resume baseball activities by January

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com November 21, 2016

All-Star catcher Matt Wieters was involved in a household accident earlier this offseason in which he cut his left forearm, but the injury is not expected to affect his ability to play baseball.

The cut required stitches and he’s had to wear a protective shield on his left, non-throwing arm, but he’ll be able to resume baseball activities by January, according to an industry source. It’s not expected to have a bearing on his ability to be ready for the upcoming season.

Wieters, 30, is widely considered the top catcher available on the free-agent market after an eight-season career with the Orioles in which he made four All-Star teams and won two Gold Gloves.

He hit .243 with 17 homers and 66 RBIs in 2016 while playing in 124 games – which may be the most important statistic for Wieters, who needed to show he could again play every day after having elbow surgery in 2014.

He was eased along in 2015 and in the first part of this past season, but ultimately started 111 games (101 complete games) at catcher and threw out 35 percent of would-be basestealers, slightly above his career average.

The Orioles chose not to make him a qualifying offer this winter – he accepted in 2015 – meaning Wieters can now be signed by any team without that club being subject to losing a draft pick.

Wieters and Washington’s were by far the class of the free-agent catching market this winter, but Ramos’ value took a hit when he needed knee surgery in October.