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Friday, December 2, 2016

Columns:  Amid hopes for an even stronger bullpen in 2017, Orioles can't just stock it with young starters The Sun 12/2  Orioles sign outfielder Logan Schafer to minor league deal The Sun 12/1  Orioles season-ticket prices to stay flat in 2017 The Sun 12/1  O's to lay groundwork on deals at Meetings MLB.com 12/2  Hearing from Duquette and Showalter leading into MASNsports.com 12/2  Orioles sign outfielder Logan Schafer (plus other notes) MASNsports.com 12/1  report dates and other notes MASNsports.com 12/1  The new CBA and how it could impact the Orioles MASNsports.com 12/2  MLB Rumor Central: Orioles interested in Curtis Granderson? MLB.com 12/1  Orioles FanFest Tickets Are On Sale Today CBS Baltimore 12/1  Orioles won't raise season-ticket prices for 2017 Baltimore Business Journal 12/1  Our 10 Favorite Dog Calendars for 2017 Dogster.com 12/1

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-amid-hopes-for-an-even-stronger-bullpen- in-2017-orioles-can-t-convert-young-starters-yet-20161201-story.html

Amid hopes for an even stronger bullpen in 2017, Orioles can't just stock it with young starters

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun December 2, 2016

The Orioles rightly expect their bullpen to improve in 2017. They just can't stock it with young starters.

Orioles manager , during his appearance as part of the team’s Hot Stove radio show on 105.7 The Fan, rightfully praised his bullpen as a strength that can be expected to improve in 2017.

“We might/could improve by having, say a Donnie Hart all year,” Showalter said on the show. “We might/could improve by having a healthy Darren O’Day all year. He only pitched, what 30 innings this year? Something like that. Who could expect Zach [Britton] and Brad [Brach] to do the same thing they did out of the bullpen, but why not?

", you’ve got to put in that same group as [Dylan] Bundy and [Kevin] Gausman — a young guy who has another level to go to. We just got him to where he’d throw his changeup the last month of the season and defend himself against left-handed hitters. He was stubborn with it, but finally he started having success with it. Mychal has got a chance to go to another level, too.”

All that does, however, is illustrate some of the challenges facing the team this offseason. We can call that group — Britton, Brach, Hart, O’Day and Givens — the valuable ones, as those are the ones Showalter assumes teams will be asking for at the winter meetings come Sunday.

“We’re going to get beat up about people asking us about moving our bullpen, because when guys like [free agent Aroldis] Chapman leave the board, they’re going to look at a lot of our guys as potential cheaper versions to close,” Showalter said. “And we’re not giving them away, trust me. They’re going to have to pay dearly for us to do something like that.”

But the inclusion of all of them — including Hart, who Showalter said would have to pitch his way off the club in spring training, not onto it — means the rest of the bullpen will be built in a way that could bite the Orioles the same way it did at times this year. They’ll account for five of the eight spots, and another at this point must be allotted to whichever of the team’s six starting isn’t in the rotation. However you fill the last two spots, it's best for the organization's future if it's not one of their hopeful future starters.

In talking about the long relief role that Vance Worley occupied for most of the season, Showalter speaks with such reverential tones that it's easy to overstake their importance. But with the deadline to tender contracts to players looming Friday afternoon, Worley and his projected arbitration salary of over $3 million are easy for a team looking to money to let go.

That would be sacrificing a constant that the team, given some of the question marks in its starting rotation, will likely come to rely on.

Consider this: Last year, the Orioles had 15 relief appearances of three innings or longer with one or less allowed. Worley had six of them, with Tyler Wilson next in line with three. The Orioles had 22 relief appearances of three innings or longer overall, but consider all of the times a young brought up to eat innings in one of those tailspin series made matters worse.

Worley, he of the 3.53 ERA, was used in every role imaginable, but he was at his best in that long relief role, saving innings for the rest of the bullpen when a starter couldn’t get deep in the game.

The purchase of this week from the , in the eyes of many, was a sign Worley’s days may be numbered, with the right-hander joining Tyler Wilson, Mike Wright, Parker Bridwell, Joe Gunkel, Chris Lee, Jayson Aquino, T.J. McFarland and Jason Garcia on a list of pitchers with options who could be deputized in Worley’s role, then be sent down to keep someone fresh.

But in looking at how the 2017 bullpen might be constructed, counting on all of them as long relief options is a bad sign for the organization and its future. These are, after all, the pitchers the Orioles will be counting on to be starters in 2018 and beyond, when they face the possibility of life without all four of Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez, Yovani Gallardo and .

In that case, the eratic schedule and Norfolk shuttle life may not be sufficient in preparing as many as three of those young pitchers to join the rotation full-time the following year. For pretty much all of those young pitchers, a major league bullpen role could end up being their role. Depending on where they are in their careers, being there for all or most of 2017 might not help them grow past that.

For pitchers like Wilson and Wright, who spent most of the first half of 2016 in the major league rotation, they’re in an awful state of limbo where -A isn’t enough of a challenge but there’s little room for growth in a sporadic long relief role at the major league level. McFarland’s time riding the shuttle has led to him regressing a bit, while Aquino, Lee and Gunkel could reasonably remain starters for the entire year at Triple-A.

If the Orioles are that intent on saving a few million dollars in non-tendering Worley and using that cadre of up-and-comers in his place, there could be long-term repercussions for a pitching staff that will undergo a lot of change in the next year or so.

And when that change happens, forget how a year of uncertain roles could impact those developing pitchers — wouldn’t it be nice to have someone like Worley who can slide into the rotation should they not be ready?

To ascribe that much to a decision on whether to tender a player like Worley might be a bit of a stretch, but the Orioles pitching staff could look different this time next year, and there’s no telling how having to find a facsimile for a proven major league swingman out of your cache of future starters might prove detrimental to the outlook of the team.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-sign-outfielder-logan-schafer-to- minor-league-deal-20161201-story.html

Orioles sign outfielder Logan Schafer to minor league deal

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun December 1, 2016

The Orioles have signed outfielder Logan Schafer to a minor league deal, the club announced on Thursday.

The Orioles have signed outfielder Logan Schafer to a minor league deal, the club announced on Thursday.

Schafer, 30, opened last season playing for the of the independent Atlantic League and ended it on the ’ major league roster. He hit .238/.342/.317 in 26 games with the Twins.

The left-handed-hitting Schafer will add outfield depth to the organization. A former third-round pick of the , Schafer spent his first eight seasons in the Brewers organization, playing parts of five seasons with the major league club. His most extended time in the majors came in 2013, when he saw action in a career-high 134 games with Milwaukee, hitting .211/.279/.322 with four homers and 33 RBIs in 337 plate appearances.

Overall, Schafer is a .214/.292/.318 hitter in 318 major league games.

Last year, after playing independent ball in May, Schafer hit .264/.340/.361 in 64 games with Triple-A Rochester before earning a major league call-up on Aug. 29. Schafer started strong with the Twins, hitting .296/.406/.444 in his first 13 games with the club, but then hit just .194/.293/.222 in his final 13 games, which included 10 starts.

Schafer's split statistics are even over most of his major and minor league careers, but last season he actually hit lefties at a .320 clip (24-for-75). That included going 8-for-19 against left-handed pitchers with the Twins.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-no-price-increase-on-orioles-season- tickets-in-2017-20161201-story.html

Orioles season-ticket prices to stay flat in 2017

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun December 1, 2016

There will be no price increase on Orioles season-ticket plans for next season, according to a club source.

There will be no price increase on Orioles season-ticket plans for next season, according to a club source.

Season-ticket holders will receive emails today informing them of ticket opportunities for next month’s FanFest event and also telling them that season-ticket invoices will be mailed out next week.

Last offseason, the team sent the invoices in February. The delay was in part because the team waited on its decision to raise ticket prices until the 11th hour of an offseason that included record spending, as the team retained big-ticket free agents Chris Davis and Darren O’Day. Season-ticket holders saw an average price increase of $5 per game last season, with the increase ranging from $3 to $10 per ticket based on the plan and selected games.

Despite the Orioles contending for a playoff spot they eventually earned, attendance slumped last season. The team's average home attendance (26,819) was down nearly nine percent from 2015 and ranked 20th in the league.

The Orioles will again offer plans of 13, 29 and 81 games. The club has not yet finalized details on single-game tickets.

Season-ticket holders receive complimentary tickets to FanFest, which will be held Jan. 28 at the Baltimore Convention Center. FanFest tickets go on sale to the general public today and are $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-14 and seniors 60 or over. Children ages 2 and under are free.

Autograph session tickets will go on sale Jan. 18.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/209941266/orioles-preparing-for-2016-winter-meetings/

O's to lay groundwork on deals at Meetings

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com December 2, 2016

BALTIMORE -- If recent history is any indication, the Winter Meetings will come and go without the Orioles doing much of consequence. Executive vice president of baseball operations has made his living waiting out the market, not setting it in early December, and the expectation is this year won't be much different.

Baltimore, coming off a record-spending offseason, has voids to fill and things to accomplish at the Meetings. But a lot of what the O's have done at these Meetings -- save for their routine activity -- has been to lay the groundwork for later in the offseason.

MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2016 Winter Meetings from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C., starting Monday Fans can watch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. ET.

Here's a quick look at where the Orioles stand:

Club needs

Corner outfield

Both spots next to are up for grabs, and the O's would like to add a left-handed hitter for at least one of those spots. In a perfect world, they'd platoon Hyun Soo Kim, who had a solid first season, and add some defense and power to help out Jones.

Catcher

With a free agent, the Orioles find themselves likely in need of a starting catcher for the first time in a long time. Caleb Joseph and Francisco Pena -- with No. 2 prospect Chance Sisco perhaps also in play -- are in-house candidates, but there's an expectation that the club will look to add another backstop before Spring Training.

Designated hitter

Mark Trumbo, who led the Majors in homers, testing the free-agent waters is a big blow to the Orioles' lineup. Gone, too, is DH Pedro Alvarez. While there's still a chance Baltimore brings back Trumbo (who would also slot into the outfield mix), this is another hole the O's need to address this offseason.

Who they can trade if necessary

Would they -- could they? -- part with All-Star closer Zach Britton? He may be one of the best trade chips, though Duquette has said the preference is to keep Britton and keep the 'pen strong. Brad Brach is another reliever coming off an All-Star year that Baltimore could dangle. There's always the possibility the Orioles at least discuss dealing a pitcher in a contract year, and they've got three -- Wade Miley, Yovani Gallardo and Ubaldo Jimenez. The risk, however, is that the rotation was an issue all last year and the O's don't have the depth to cover themselves if they do make a trade.

Rule 5 Draft

Yes, they will select a player. Potentially more than one. Baltimore has been incredibly active in the Rule 5 Draft under Duquette, and there's every expectation the club will be again. Outfielder Joey Rickard, last year's Rule 5 Draft selection, was an early feel-good story before hitting the disabled list.

Big contracts they might unload

Jimenez fits here, though as stated above, it may not be in the Orioles' best interest to deal a starter. Jimenez has been rumored to be available in years past, and there's no reason to think the O's wouldn't at least listen to offers now, though his deal is at its end. Given the club's pitching the past two years, and how well Jimenez performed down the stretch, it would be a risk.

Payroll summary

Unless Baltimore finds a way to shed salary, it has a lot of money tied up in a few players and some arbitration-eligible players -- like Britton -- who are due for big raises. The Orioles should eclipse last year's $115 million payroll pretty easily, with $96 million already committed to just eight players.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/12/hearing-from-duquette-and-showalter- leading-into-winter-meetings.html

Hearing from Duquette and Showalter leading into Winter Meetings

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com December 2, 2016

The Winter Meetings officially start on Monday, though everyone rolls into town the previous day to get settled and soak up the atmosphere. And I’m bringing the sarcasm hard on that last part.

I sat down yesterday with Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette to touch on a few topics, including tonight’s 8 p.m. deadline to tender contracts to the 10 arbitration-eligible players.

“We’ve got a good idea what we’re going to do,” Duquette said. “I think last year we went down to the deadline. We don’t have to go down to the deadline (tonight). We should be able to finish our work by close of business. We’re going to have this done.”

Duquette said it’s “possible” that the Orioles could sign some players today to contracts for next season, agreeing to terms right away instead of exchanging figures down the road.

“We’re talking to a couple players about 2017 contracts,” he said. “We’ve been working on that for about a week.”

Duquette repeated the shopping list, though he downplayed the need for a .

“We’re still looking for catching depth,” he said. “We’re looking for left-handed hitters, we’re looking for outfielders and we’re looking for pitching depth. And potential DH. We’ve got a good candidate in Trey Mancini in-house. Mancini should be able to hit. He’s got a proven hitting record in the minors. He’s got good fundamentals. I don’t know that we’re spending a lot of time on the DH position.

“We like some of our catchers, too. We like (Caleb) Joseph to rebound from a subpar season. We like what we saw of (Francisco) Pena last year. The other clubs tell us we should like Chance Sisco because they keep asking for him in trade.”

Did negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement impact Duquette’s attempts to upgrade the roster?

“It’s certainly a factor because clubs are trying to decide and weigh the value of their players,” Duquette said. “When some of the macrostructures aren’t really determined, it slows things down. But this is the end of the calendar year, if you will, for baseball. After (yesterday), you start a new season.

“We were aware of what was being discussed between the owners and the players, but you never know how it’s going to resolve, right? What the actual structure is going to be going forward. So it’s generally prudent to wait and see exactly what the terms of the working conditions are before going full-speed ahead.”

The Orioles made a minor move yesterday by signing outfielder Logan Schafer to a minor league deal with a spring training invitation.

“He can play a couple different outfield positions and he’s got a decent bat, and he has some major league experience,” Duquette said. “We’re looking for left-handed hitting outfielders. He has some experience.”

Manager Buck Showalter, appearing last night on the “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan, said he hasn’t given up on the Orioles re-signing designated hitter Pedro Alvarez, outfielder or catcher Matt Wieters.

“A lot of this stuff, (Duquette) is very astute at judging the market and knowing where it’s going to fall,” Showalter said. “There’s going to be people out there without chairs when this is over, because at some point somebody’s going to run out of opportunities for these guys.

“We’d like to keep them all, but it just doesn’t work for us and how we have to do it. We had one of the highest payrolls in Orioles history. Our ownership has been steadfast since I’ve been here, at every turn. The onus is on us to surround ourselves with people.”

The Orioles are prepared again to let the market play out on certain players and find out whether they can get a more favorable deal later in the winter.

“I don’t want to call it bottom-fishing. I call it kind of late fishing. Dan is really good at that,” Showalter said.

“A lot of these guys are going to be sitting around there in January or February. I don’t think these guys will be, but they’re good players. I know all three of those guys would like to come back, which makes me feel good about the atmosphere we’ve created here in Baltimore. But at some point they have to make a decision on their lives and what kind of ticket they want to cash.”

Showalter also said he’s checked with Chris Davis about moving to other positions, but he wants to keep the slugger at first base.

Showalter also confirmed that free agent outfielder Angel Pagan is on his “board,” though it may be little more than a player who intrigues him and not something that’s currently hot. He called Pagan “a good name” when it was floated past him last night.

“He’s on the list,” Showalter said. “I like him because he’s a baseball player, but so do a lot of other people. We’re not the only ones who know how to evaluate good people.”

As for the bullpen, Showalter said left-hander Donnie Hart would have to pitch his way off the team in spring training. He’s got a spot as long as he’s able to hold onto it.

Showalter is braced for teams to come after his relievers in trade talks, especially later in the winter after some big-name closers are off the board.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/12/orioles-sign-outfielder-logan-schafer-plus- other-notes.html

Orioles sign outfielder Logan Schafer (plus other notes)

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com December 1, 2016

The Orioles acquired a left-handed hitting outfielder today as the Winter Meetings approach, though it involves a minor league deal.

The club announced that it signed Logan Schafer, 30, to a minor league contract. He will receive an invitation to spring training.

Schafer is a career .214/.292/.318 hitter in 318 games over parts of six major league seasons, the first five spent with the Brewers. He batted .238/.342/.317 this year in 26 games with the Twins.

A former third-round pick, Schafer appeared in 17 games with Lancaster in the independent Atlantic League before signing with the Twins. He hit .264/.340/.361 in 64 games with Triple-A Rochester. He plays all three outfield positions, with most of his experience in center.

Schafer, who also was drafted by the Red Sox and Rockies without signing, joined the Nationals organization as a free agent in November 2015. They released him in March and he signed with the Twins three months later.

* One of the toughest spring training cuts in recent years came in 2015 when the Orioles placed right-hander Logan Verrett on waivers. They couldn’t keep two Rule 5 picks on their roster and they wanted to hold onto Jason Garcia, the younger and less experienced of the two pitchers, but deemed to have the higher ceiling.

You know the rest of the story. The Rangers claimed Verrett, news that broke while the local beat crew was driving to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the exhibition game against the Braves, and he eventually was returned to the Mets.

Baseball’s circle of life strikes again, with the Orioles acquiring Verrett from the Mets yesterday in a cash transaction.

Verrett posted a 1.93 ERA and struck out 12 batters in 14 innings. Multiple teams put in a waiver claim and the Rangers got him.

“He’s a strike-thrower, he’s (gutsy), he has command,” said manager Buck Showalter, who flew into Baltimore last night and will appear tonight at Dempsey’s Brew Pub & Restaurant for the “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan.

“He’s a nice guy to add with an option. He would have been in the big leagues for us probably the last two years if we had kept him. You’re always looking for a guy like him.”

Verrett was 3-8 with a 5.20 ERA and 1.560 WHIP this year in 35 games (12 starts) over 91 2/3 innings with the Mets, and he averaged 4.2 walks per nine innings. However, he registered a 2.84 ERA in 23 games out of the bullpen. He was 1-6 with a 6.45 ERA and 1.617 WHIP in 12 starts.

Verrett’s most difficult stretch came in August, when he posted a 13.50 ERA and 2.206 WHIP in three starts. He allowed 17 runs and 17 hits in 11 1/3 innings, with eight walks and four home runs.

* Of all the changes made in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Showalter figures to especially approve of the 10-day disabled list. He’s often cited how he wishes had the same seven-day DL as the minors. He’ll gladly take 10.

It’s been a source of frustration for Showalter that some of his pitchers and position players have been forced onto the 15-day DL despite projections that they’d be available sooner, the moves made because the Orioles couldn’t keep going day-to-day with a short roster.

Showalter also has opposed the All-Star Game determining home field advantage in the , so he’ll approve of the switch back to best regular season record between the pennant winners. Unfortunately, the rosters will remain at 25 players before September expansion. Showalter would have celebrated an increase to 26.

* The Orioles haven’t started to interview candidates for assistant hitting coach and minor league pitching coordinator, but they’re getting closer as lists are finalized.

Showalter said there are “three to four” candidates lined up for Mark Quinn’s replacement and “three to five” for Rick Peterson’s replacement.

“Nothing’s imminent,” Showalter said, “but we’re moving.”

* The Orioles announced this morning that FanFest tickets went on sale today. Autograph vouchers go on sale Jan. 18, with the annual event held Jan. 28 at the Convention Center. Tickets are available online at www.orioles.com/fanfest, via phone at 1-888-848-BIRD, at the Camden Yards box office and at the Official Team Store at the York Galleria in York, Pa. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 14 and under, and adults 60 and over. On the day of the event, FanFest tickets will be sold at the Convention Center and the Camden Yards box office, depending on availability.

All 2016 Season Plan Members will receive an offer for complimentary FanFest tickets via email, which can be redeemed through their online My Orioles Tickets Account.

The Orioles’ autograph policy for FanFest will duplicate the policy of the last several years and is designed to support youth charitable endeavors through OriolesREACH, as well as enhance the fan experience with shortened wait times. Children 4-14 will have a specially designated Kids Only player autograph station which is free of charge and will operate continuously throughout the day. All other autograph stations will require the advance purchase of autograph vouchers.

Complimentary parking is available in Lot B/C at Camden Yards.

FanFest will be held from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Jan. 28, with early entry for Orioles Season Plan Members beginning at 10 a.m. as part of the Orange Carpet Program.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2016/12/spring-training-report-dates-and-other- notes.html

Spring training report dates and other notes

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com December 1, 2016

The Orioles have announced their report dates for 2017 spring training in Sarasota.

Pitchers and catchers will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Feb. 13, with the first workout held the following day. Position players will gather on Feb. 16, with the first full-squad workout the following day.

If past years are any indication, the vast majority of Orioles will be in Sarasota before position players are due. Many of them work out in January.

Center fielder Adam Jones, third baseman , second baseman Jonathan Schoop and outfielder Hyun Soo Kim will leave camp to participate in the .

The Orioles went 12-15-5 in Grapefruit League games last year and set a franchise record with 11 sellouts, including five in a row from March 8-16. The total home attendance of 119,029 marked the second-highest attendance for an Orioles spring training in franchise history.

Meanwhile, the Orioles are attempting to reach agreements Friday on 2017 contracts with at least a few of their arbitration-eligible players, rather than just tender them and exchange figures later. They’ve already had discussions with a few players.

I’ve been told that they’ve pretty much made their decisions regarding non-tenders and don’t anticipate working until the 8 p.m. deadline.

If you’re updating the Orioles’ shopping list at the Winter Meetings, lower the need for a designated hitter. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said Trey Mancini can handle the role. Of course, re-signing Mark Trumbo would likely change those plans.

The Orioles are searching for a veteran catcher and aren’t opposed to offering two years. They still want a left-handed bat and are looking for a right fielder and pitching depth for the rotation and bullpen. http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2016/12/the-new-cba-and-how-it-could-impact-the- orioles.html

The new CBA and how it could impact the Orioles

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com December 2, 2016

A few thoughts as more and more details emerge about the new five-year collective bargaining agreement in Major League Baseball.

The All-Star Game: It will no longer decide home field advantage in the World Series. This was a terrible idea from the start and now the team with the best record will hold the home-field advantage. It was a surprise to me that MLB stuck with such a bad idea in the first place for so long.

The international signing rules: MLB did not get an international draft, but did make a move to limit spending on international amateurs. These are players that are not eligible for the June domestic draft. Jonathan Schoop and Eduardo Rodriguez are examples of players the Orioles signed and added this way.

It appears that the hard cap will be about $5 million - a little more for lower-revenue teams and a little less for higher-revenue clubs. Yahoo Sports reported that teams can trade money - they won’t actually send dollars to another club (I don’t believe) - to increase the team’s total dollars. Teams can add up to 75 percent of their allotment.

The Orioles are not a big spending team on the international front and have never been. Under the current system, they have traded international bonus slots (they did this to acquire pitcher Chris Lee). If they don’t spend their money here, they could make trades to acquire players. While many fans have wanted the Orioles to spend more on the international front, at least they can get something out of a trade rather than just leaving money on the table.

The new rules also will keep teams from spending massive amounts on the international market. This should keep the big spenders from hoarding some of the top international talent and perhaps, in a sense, level out the field a bit for the Orioles and other teams that are less active internationally.

The shorter DL: The 15-day disabled list is now the 10-day disabled list. This should allow teams to make quicker decisions on whether a player is injured enough to go on the DL. How many times over the years have we seen an Orioles player be listed as day-to-day, not go on the DL, yet still wind up missing about 10 days? Perhaps now all teams will more quickly DL such players and have fewer games where they essentially play shorthanded on the roster.

Will teams look to game the system here? Perhaps they have a starting pitcher that could benefit from skipping a start. Does that pitcher suddenly develop some elbow inflammation that might need about 10 days to heal?

The free agent rules change: Here is what ESPN’s Jayson Stark wrote about the compensation for teams losing free agents:

“Teams that lose a free agent who rejects a qualifying offer will still get a draft pick. The details: For most teams, that pick would be a sandwich pick immediately following the competitive- balance picks that are awarded after the second round. However, if that team comes from the 15 smallest markets and is receiving revenue-sharing money, and it loses a free agent who signs a contract worth at least $50 million, that pick would follow the first round. And if the team losing that player is over the luxury-tax threshold, the pick would follow the fourth round.”

A team signing a qualifying offer free agent will no longer lose a first-round draft pick. This had to be a big one for the players’ side, as they’ve seen several players with greatly depressed markets in recent offseasons because they had the draft pick attached to their signing. It is one reason the Orioles got Nelson Cruz.

The new rules: Teams that sign a qualifying offer free agent, if it exceeds the luxury tax threshold, will lose second-round and fifth-round picks and $1 million in international bonus signing money. A team that signs a qualifying offer free agent, if it does not exceed the luxury tax threshold, will lose a third-round pick.

These rules don’t go into effect until next offseason, but could they impact players now? A team signing Mark Trumbo now would lose a first-round pick. They lose less next year. Would that give Trumbo a better chance to score big dollars 12 months from now? It could. Would he consider signing for just one year now? It would be a gamble, coming off a 47-homer season.

How will this impact potential future Orioles free agents like Chris Tillman, Zach Britton and Manny Machado? Teams won’t lose a first-round pick to sign any of them now, but the Orioles should still get a high pick should they lose any of them.

The luxury tax: Will the changes with teams going way over the tax threshold have real impact? My guess is no. Teams have shown over the years, on the international front for sure, that when the penalty is only dollars, they have plenty of them and will spend to get what they want. Baseball doesn’t have a salary cap. A team that truly wants to go way over the luxury tax can do so any time it wants - it just costs money. The new rules, in my estimation, will now slow down a team that wants to spend big if they truly are convinced to do so for a certain player or a group of players. The Orioles have had to deal with big spenders in and New York for a long while and that probably won’t change now.

Non-tender talk: Tonight is the deadline for teams to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players. The Orioles have 10 and MLBTradeRumors.com projected the salaries they would get through the arbitration process.

$11.4 million - Zach Britton $11.2 million - Manny Machado $10.6 million - Chris Tillman $3.9 million - Kevin Gausman $3.4 million - Jonathan Schoop $3.3 million - Vance Worley $2.9 million - Brad Brach $1.7 million - $1 million - Caleb Joseph $700,000 - T. J. McFarland

My guess is that Worley and McFarland get non-tendered and become free agents. They could still could possibly return, even if this happens. Flaherty is a non-tender candidate but my guess is the O’s value him and his super utility role enough to keep him at the price.

http://insider.espn.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post/_/id/31562/mlb-rumor-central-orioles-interested- in-curtis-granderson

MLB Rumor Central: Orioles interested in Curtis Granderson?

ESPN.com December 1, 2016

The are reportedly more interested in Curtis Granderson than Jay Bruce, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Granderson and Bruce have emerged as possible trade candidates after the New York Mets agreed to a four-year, $110 million deal with free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes on Tuesday, resulting in a currently crowded outfield in Queens.

The Orioles are looking to fill a vacancy in right field and would like to re-sign free-agent outfielder/first baseman/DH Mark Trumbo, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden. In addition, the O's have free-agent outfielder Angel Pagan on their radar, per Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com.

Heyman writes that there's a general feeling that Granderson has more value than Bruce after a strong finish to 2016.

Granderson had his best month of the season in September, slashing .286/.400/.604 with eight home runs and 21 RBIs after an August in which he slashed a season-low.176/.280/.435 with nine RBIs.

-- Alex Tekip

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/12/01/orioles-fanfest-tickets-are-on-sale-today/

Orioles FanFest Tickets Are On Sale Today

CBS Baltimore December 1, 2016

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Tickets for the Baltimore Orioles’ annual FanFest event on Saturday, January 28, 2017, at the Baltimore Convention Center are on sale now.

Orioles FanFest will feature appearances by current and former Orioles players and coaches as part of a day-long celebration of baseball that will also include clinics, exhibits, and interactive games from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In addition to autographs sessions, other FanFest activities include Q&A forums with players and front office staff; clinics for children on a youth-sized baseball field; kids press conferences where young Orioles fans can ask questions to players; official Orioles merchandise and memorabilia available for purchase; a Spring Training in Sarasota exhibit; and a tour of the Orioles’ clubhouse at Oriole Park.

Tickets are available online at www.orioles.com/fanfest, via phone at 1-888-848-BIRD, at the Oriole Park Box Office, and at the Official Team Store at the York Galleria in York, Pa. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 14 and under and adults 60 and over.

http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2016/12/01/orioles-wont-raise-season-ticket-prices- for-2017.html

Orioles won't raise season-ticket prices for 2017

By Ryan Sharrow / Baltimore Business Journal December 1, 2016

The Baltimore Orioles are freezing season-ticket prices for the 2017 season, according to a team source.

The Orioles will send out invoices to season plan holders next week, roughly two months earlier then in previous years.

The freeze on season tickets comes after the Orioles raised prices by an average of 20 percent in 2016. The average ticket price for plan holders last year was about $30.

The move also follows a nearly 10 percent decrease in attendance at Camden Yards last season despite the team being in the playoff hunt throughout the year.

The Orioles have long been one of the cheapest options across Major League Baseball. Oriole Park ranked as the sixth most-affordable option for a family of four to take in a game in 2016, according to Team Marketing Report.

Single-game tickets prices for 2017 have not been determined, the source said.

The Orioles finished the 2016 season 89-73, good for second place in the American League East and a wild card spot. The team was eliminated in the wild card round by the Blue Jays.

The Orioles, after a long run of losing seasons, have made the playoffs in three of the last five years.

The club's annual FanFest is scheduled for Jan. 28 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/our-10-favorite-dog-calendars-for-2017

Our 10 Favorite Dog Calendars for 2017

Dogster.com December 1, 2016

How did it get to be the end of 2016 already? This week, I went to mark something on my calendar for January, only to realize I didn’t have a 2017 calendar yet. That needed to be fixed immediately. It goes without saying that a calendar in my house must be dog themed. After some research, I came up with the following options I wanted to share with you.

1. Tails of Rescue Men USA

What’s a calendar list without some hunky dudes cuddling furry animals? The Tails of Rescue Men USA, also known as “Hot Humanitarians,” fits this spot perfectly. The men featured want to bring you the message of, “adopt, don’t shop.” That’s a message we can all get behind, especially when it’s delivered by such adorable two- and four-legged creatures!

The cost of the calendar is a donation to Pillows for Paws, a non-profit that donates essential material items to shelter cats, dogs, and rabbits on a monthly basis to Animal Care Centers of NYC. $25 at Rescue Men USA

2. Pinups for Pitbulls

It seems only fair to give the ladies equal time on this list! The goal of the calendar is to show how the often misunderstood Pit Bull can be a part of everyday life. If living in Darlingsville means wearing beautiful dresses and hanging out with all those big doggy smiles, then I need to stop writing this list and start packing my bags.

Proceeds go to Pinups for Pitbulls, a nonprofit with a mission to educate people about the history, temperament, and plight of the Pit Bull-type dog. $25 at Pinups for Pitbulls

3. Pets in Wheelchairs

Handicappedpets.com held a photo contest for its 2017 calendar and chose 13 winning pics from all over the world,. These special-abled pups, and one lamb, don’t let their disabilities get in their way of having fun.

After an accident that left him paralyzed, cover pup Coke was rescued by Michael Baines, a man who is known for helping rescue dogs in Thailand. Using his Walkin’ Wheels, this resilient pup is able to get around and enjoy life with his new daddy. Proceeds from the calendar go to the Handicapped Pets Foundation. $9.95 at HandicappedPets.com

4. 2017 Orioles Pet Calendar

MLB team the Orioles has helped to raise over $180,000 for the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). It does this by featuring its players in the annual calendar. They pose with their animals along with some cuties from BARCS at locations around Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Proceeds from the calendars help fund BARCS’ continued work rescuing and caring for Baltimore’s animals. $15 at $15 at the Orioles MLB shop

5. The Grey Muzzle Organization

With age comes wisdom. Sadly, if you are a dog, it also means you are at a higher risk of being overlooked when you need help. The Grey Muzzle Organization improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and other non-profit groups nationwide.

The group even made putting the calendar together a way to help. This summer, it ran a contest for senior pups to be featured in the 2017 calendar. Profits of over $12,000 from the contest entry dontations went to fund the organization’s dental fund. According to the group, “every senior dog deserves a reason to smile.” I couldn’t agree more! $16 at the Grey Muzzle Organization

6. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

Vested Interest in K9s Inc., is a non-profit with a noble cause. The group provides bullet and stab protective vests to dogs of law enforcement around the country. One of the ways you can help the group is by purchasing its 2017 calendar, which features two- and four-legged law enforcement heroes. If you would like to help further, the organization’s website lists ways to support, which includes sponsoring a vest for a hard-working pup. $15 at Vested Interest in K9s

7. Fierce and Furry: Drag Queens and Dog Kings

What happens when you combine adorable pups from the Morris Animal Refuge in Philadelphia with the girls of the Philly Drag Mafia? A fierce, furry, and fun calendar of course! This crew really knows how to work the camera for a good cause. Your donation for the calendar goes straight to the Morris Animal Refuge, a non-profit open admission shelter. $25 donation or more at Morris Animal Refuge 8. Printable Calendar by Sophie 0610 Designs

I love printable options from Etsy. The immediate delivery means you don’t have to wait to start using this adorable calendar — just pay, dowload, and print. Whimsical drawings by Sophia Andrikou portray a pup taking part in activities perfect for the month they represent. $14.26 at Sophia 0610 Design’s Etsy site

9. Lingvistov 2017 Dog Calendar

Lingvistov is a company owned by two linguistic university graduates living in Russia. Their in- house artist’s cute and often funny doodles adorn their products. The hope is that their creations make your day better, sunnier, and more special. Their 2017 dog calendar does a petty good job of that! $20 at Lingvistov

10. Your own personal creation

I’ll be honest, my favorite calendar always features my sweet 11-year-old German Shothaired Pointer, Riggins. I’m guessing you have at least 12 pictures on your phone right now that you can use to make your own custom 2017 calendar. I’m a loyal Shutterfly customer, but there are a number of sites that will walk you through the process. $24.99 at Shutterfly.com