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Friday, February 10, 2017

Columns:  As he nears his prime, what more can the Orioles expect from Manny Machado? The Sun 2/10  Orioles add young right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from The Sun 2/10  Nevada sportsbook expects Orioles to win fewer games in 2017 The Sun 2/10  Q&A with MLB Network host and Orioles fan Lauren Shehadi The Sun 2/10  O's acquire righty Ynoa from Mets for cash MLB.com 2/10  Orioles' 2017 vision is to stay the course MLB.com 2/9  Orioles acquire Ynoa from Mets MASNsports.com 2/10  MASN to air seven Orioles spring training games MASNsports.com 2/10  Machado on playing shortstop in the WBC and more MASNsports.com 2/10  After RBI-less season, Caleb Joseph welcomes a fresh start MASNsports.com 2/10  Orioles acquire RHP Gabriel Ynoa from Mets ESPN.com 2/10  Orioles' Five Biggest Offseason Highlights PressBoxOnline.com 2/10  Is Dan Duquette's 2017 Orioles Roster Short One Important Piece? PressBoxOnline.com 2/10  Orioles Acquire RHP Gabriel Ynoa From The Mets CBS Baltimore 2/10  Orioles add Gabriel Ynoa and designate Pena — what these moves mean BaltimoreBaseball.com 2/10  Tap-In Question: What are the best and worst promotional giveaways in Orioles’ history? BaltimoreBaseball.com 2/10  : Gardner reliever Oliver Drake has plenty to build on for Orioles telegram.com 2/8

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-as-he-nears-his-prime-what-more-can-the- orioles-expect-from-manny-machado-20170210-story.html

As he nears his prime, what more can the Orioles expect from Manny Machado?

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun February 10, 2017

In an offseason when he was coming off another career year and showing that no set of expectations was too high, the most conversation around Orioles third baseman Manny Machado seemed to be about whether the team should trade him.

It’s a bit incongruous from a here-and-now standpoint, given how much he’s meant to the team now and the likelihood that he could reach unfathomable heights in the two years of club control remaining. But such is the Orioles’ situation, where assuring the future to some is better than fortifying the present, and Machado’s present got some short shrift.

But entering spring training, it’s worth looking at just what he’s accomplished so far and what that could mean for the ensuing season.

After batting .294 with 37 home runs and an .876 OPS last season, Machado has now compiled 23 wins above replacement (WAR), according to FanGraphs, in his five seasons, though it’s important to note that his 50-game debut in 2012 and his 82-game season in 2014 depress that total a bit.

It used to be accepted that players hit their prime around age 27 and carry it just into their early 30s, but with major league debuts coming so early, the adjustment periods are happening earlier in careers and a player’s best years arrive earlier. As such, hopes are high for Machado in his age-24 season this year.

According to FanGraphs’ Steamer projection, Machado is projected to be worth 6.5 WAR this year, second among position players only to Angels outfielder Mike Trout. Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA system is lower on Machado, projecting him for 4.8 WAR by their own methodology, though some of that comes from their placing him at shortstop instead of third base for part of the season, where his defense isn’t as impactful. They also project him for just 25 home runs.

And yet, they went through the entire league and picked the best player at every age, and the age- 24 selection was Machado over the likes of Bryce Harper and Mookie Betts.

So even when there are reasons for the numbers not to look favorably on him — like the rest of the Orioles, a free swinging approach doesn’t translate well into many algorithms, no matter how hard or far you hit it when you do connect.

Machado’s parallels with his buddy and idol Alex Rodriguez may never completely prove true on the baseball field, but as long as he stays in the same stratosphere, these next couple years of club control for the Orioles could be special. Through his own age-23 season, Rodriguez had 25.5 wins above replacement — which averages out to a half-win per season better than Machado.

And this stage of his career is when Rodriguez did some of his best work, posting WARs of 9.5, 7.8 and 10 in his ages 24-26 seasons, respectively. A season or two like that would not only help Machado break into the next level of MVP voting, but be a huge boon for an Orioles team who needs that type of production and then some to get near a championship with a team that’s built to win one now.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-add-young-right-hander-gabriel- ynoa-from-new-york-mets-20170210-story.html

Orioles add young right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from New York Mets

The Orioles added a young to their stocks on Friday, purchasing New York Mets right- hander Gabriel Ynoa for cash on the eve of spring training.

“Gabriel Ynoa is young, strong, durable and talented,” executive vice president Dan Duquette said in a statement. “Our scouts feel he can develop into a major league starting pitcher by developing a consistent breaking pitch. We look forward to his contributions to the Orioles this season and beyond.”

Ynoa, 23, made his major league debut with the Mets last season and compiled a 6.38 ERA in 10 appearances (three starts) over 18 1/3 innings. Ynoa struck out 17 batters but walked seven and allowed 26 hits in his first stint in the big leagues.

Ynoa, at age 20, went 15-4 with a 2.72 ERA in his full-season debut at Class-A Savannah in 2013 to put himself on the map, and was added to the Mets’ 40-man roster after a 2014 season that saw him post a 4.07 ERA in 25 starts between High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton.

After posting a 3.90 ERA for Binghamton in 2015, Ynoa spent most of 2016 at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA before being summoned to the majors on Aug. 13.

His purchase adds to the Orioles cast of they hope can make the next step and establish themselves as major league starters in the coming years. With five starters returning from the rotation that ended the season well in 2016, Ynoa joins the likes of Tyler Wilson, Logan Verrett, , and Jayson Aquino as a starter with major league history who the club will hope grows into a bigger role in 2017.

Ynoa will have one minor league option available to the Orioles, and took the place of Francisco Pena on the 40-man roster. Pena was designated for assignment on the eve of spring training in a move that all but ends any conjecture that Pena, who has no remaining minor league options, could have beaten out incumbent Caleb Joseph for the backup catcher job behind starter Welington Castillo.

The Orioles have a week to trade Pena or place him on waivers before he can be assigned to the minors.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baltimore-sports-blog/bal-nevada-sportsbook-expects- orioles-to-win-fewer-games-in-2017-20170210-story.html

Nevada sportsbook expects Orioles to win fewer games in 2017

By Jonas Shaffer / The Baltimore Sun February 10, 2017

Stop me if you've heard this before: The Orioles are not expected to live up to last season's heights.

One year after the club flouted predictions of a last-place finish in the American League East and came achingly close to the AL Division Series, a Nevada sportsbook has the Orioles falling short of their 89-win mark in 2016.

Reno's Atlantis Casino released projected win totals for this baseball season, the first sportsbook to do so, and there's no "Orioles Magic" expected in Baltimore this year.

The over-under for wins is 84.5 — behind the Boston Red Sox's 90.5 and ' 86.5, and ahead of the ' 83.5 and ' 75.5.

The World Series champion Chicago Cubs lead the way with 95.5, while the Washington Nationals are fourth overall (90.5).

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-q-a-with-mlb-network-host-and-orioles- fan-lauren-shehadi-20170210-story.html

Q&A with MLB Network host and Orioles fan Lauren Shehadi

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun February 10, 2017

Every weekday morning during the baseball season, MLB Network’s Lauren Shehadi co-hosts “MLB Central” and, along with the rest of the cast, brings a bit of fun and levity to what can be a long and tiresome baseball season.

And she does it, hide it as she must, with a special interest in the Orioles, the team she grew up adoring. A native of McLean, Va., who came of age in the heyday of the late-'90s Orioles, kept her allegiances in Baltimore when the Nationals moved into Washington and still views the game with an eye toward what’s happening with the Orioles.

As she approaches her five-year anniversary at MLB Network, which she’ll celebrate Feb. 13, Shehadi spoke with The Baltimore Sun about how her career has grown at the blossoming network, why “MLB Central” works so well, her Orioles fandom, and what the future might hold for her and her favorite ballclub.

Jon Meoli: With your five-year anniversary at MLB Network approaching, it’s such a growing and more relevant place every year. What has it been like to grow along with the network the way you have over these last five years?

Lauren Shehadi: These sports-owned channels have really changed the game and how viewers watch. If you’re a baseball fan, there’s no better place than MLB Network. They have everything from past seasons’ games to what we look at, the future. We do WBCcoverage, so it’s really just the best place, and the network has grown since I’ve been here. I’ve been here five years, and in the beginning, we didn’t have the access we have now. Now, we’re in more homes, more viewers. The viewers have grown along with us. it’s been a fun ride.

JM: Having had a chance to watch your show a lot last year, I’m wondering as a broadcast professional, is it a challenge to balance the fun you all have with the fact that you’re on TV and there still needs to be some kind of structure?

LS: Of course, but it’s a morning show. In the morning, you turn on the TV and you want your highlights, you want your information, but you also want it to be light. You’re having coffee. It’s not the nine o’clock, 10 o’clock hard baseball or news that you want. You want the game delivered to you, but you want it in a slightly different way. I think on "MLB Central," we’ve done a really great job of that, incorporating and showcasing them in a different way, whether it’s a game, or we’ll have a couple of the Orioles, a couple of the Nationals on and we’ll play Pictionary with them. When you see Chris Davis or you see Bryce Harper and they’re playing Pictionary and they’re terrible drawers, it’s just a fun way to talk about baseball with baseball players. It’s not just slamming facts down your throat.

JM: And I don’t want to call it the last step, but as professionals, is it nice to know that what you’re doing is resonating? The players come in and know what the show’s vibe is because they’re watching too?

LS: Totally, and they know the segments, too. I think we spoke with Matt Holliday, and he said, “I want to do ‘A Word With…’ ” That’s one of the segments we have on our show, and it’s called A Word With [Lauren Shehadi], it’s 10 questions and you have to answer the questions in one word. But it’s not questions like who was your favorite player growing up. That can be on there, but it’s mostly like, if you had one snack to eat for the rest of your life, what would you eat? If it’s Josh Donaldson or Jose Bautista, you want to know that. You want to know that. Or what’s your celebrity crush? I want to know Kris Bryant’s celebrity crush. That’s cool. It’s not just how many home runs did you hit. It’s a different aspect. So when the players know that and the games we play and get into it, it kind of validates us.

JM: I’m sure Kris Bryant’s celebrity crush wants to know who she is, too. But shifting gears, you grew up near Washington, D.C., before the Nationals came into town. How does one stay as an Orioles fan when there’s a new team in your backyard? That seems like a free pass to switch, but you didn’t take it.

LS: I didn’t take it. But if there was that World Series and the Orioles weren’t in it, I would actually root for the Nationals as well. I grew up an Orioles fan, with my dad watching baseball on the couch. When Cal Ripken Jr. broke the streak, that was really the moment I became a baseball fan. Here he is, he had kind of a blue-collar type attitude but his star was larger than life. I remember when he broke the streak, it was kind of a who’s who. Bill Clinton and Al Gore at Camden Yards, and from our perspective as fans, we knew he was going to break the streak, so we wanted tickets to the game he was going to break the streak in.

But there’s rain, there’s weather. That happens, so I remember my dad saying, “We need to get the game before, the game that we think, and the game after.” But that single-handedly made me a sports fan. Brady Anderson, I remember I was in left field and he threw a ball up. He made eye contact with 20 people, but I was convinced it was me. Brady Anderson was staring at me from my perspective. He wasn’t, of course, he was throwing the ball in the stand. But I loved the way the Orioles played when I was a young girl.

JM: So you got to be at that record-setting game?

LS: Yes, we were there. We were there, and I remember the lap around the stadium and 22- minute standing ovation. Who gets a 22-minute standing ovation? But he was like a boy. My favorite moment at the network was when I got to interview him twice. The first time, it was on the phone and my first question, I remember asking, does that moment feel like forever ago? It feels like it was yesterday. And he said, “I’m humbled to be a part of it.” I started thinking, a part of it? You were it. It’s my greatest sports memory of all time.

JM: I know that you have to put your allegiances aside…

LS: I try.

JM: ... but what was it like during the playoffs this year where every game you put on television, everyone talking about those games referred back to how the Orioles lost in crushing, crushing fashion. Did that kind of get old after a while?

LS: Of course. We’re all fans at the root of it. My co-host Matt Vasgersian is an A’s fan, Mark DeRosa is a Cardinals fan, he also likes the Braves. And I grew up in D.C. so I’m an Orioles and Nationals fan. But everyone asks you about it. Everyone here knows your allegiances. We’re in a competitive environment here at MLB Network, so everyone knows you’re an Orioles fan and just comes in your office every day. But watching them play is a treat. I know Buck Showalter, watching him move in the postseason, he’s like a mastermind. I know it didn’t work out in the end and there were some question marks surrounding that choice, but we’re not in his shoes. It’s very impossible to sit here and say we wouldn’t have done the same thing. But he’s incredible and his track record and resume proves it.

JM: In the moment, what were you thinking when you kept seeing Zach Britton not in the game?

LS: I kept thinking they’re going to go to him, because he kept going to the phone. But I know, and we talked to him afterwards, and Buck said I thought I needed more. I thought I had more innings, and I understand that. Because once you use him, there was nowhere to go. So I understand that, and he was just doing the best he can. He’s fantastic. No one can argue that.

JM: Now here’s a two-parter to end it. You’re celebrating five years soon. What are the next five years at MLB Network going to look like for you?

LS: I love to grow, and MLB Central is really in its infancy. It’s only in its third year. I really want to see, and what we have the liberty of with three hours in the show is time. We don’t have to rush things. My biggest goal, I think, would be to get behind the scenes with the players and show them for who they are off the field. We do a good job with that, but in the offseason, some of the players have ranches and some of them go overseas and do charity work. Tracking them and telling their stories is a goal for the next five years.

JM: And what about the Orioles for the next five years?

LS: Oh my gosh. They need to win now, Jon. They need to win now. Am I desperate? They need to win now.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/215680356/orioles-trade-for-right-hander-gabriel-ynoa/

O's acquire righty Ynoa from Mets for cash

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com February 10, 2017

BALTIMORE -- Looking to add pitching depth before Spring Training, the Orioles did just that on Friday, acquiring right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the Mets in exchange for cash considerations.

Ynoa was ranked as the Mets' No. 18 prospect by MLBPipeline.com. The 23-year-old made his Major League debut last season and pitched in 10 games, including three starts. He had a 6.38 ERA and 17 in 18 1/3 innings. Ynoa went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA over 154 1/3 innings in 25 starts at Triple-A.

"Gabe Ynoa is young, strong, durable and talented," Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said. "Our scouts feel he can develop into a Major League starting pitcher by developing a consistent breaking pitch. We look forward to his contributions to the Orioles this season and beyond."

To make room for Ynoa on the 40-man roster, Baltimore designated catcher Francisco Pena for assignment.

The 27-year-old Pena batted .200 (8-for-40) with a and three RBIs in 14 games with the Orioles last season, his first with the team and third in the Majors. Pena is third on the O's catching depth chart, and the move all but solidifies that Caleb Joseph will back upWelington Castillo.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/215585112/orioles-aim-for-consistent-familiar-roster/

Orioles' 2017 vision is to stay the course

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com February 9, 2017

With Spring Training fast approaching, MLB.com will take a look at a different aspect of this year's Orioles squad each day this week. Today's topic -- What's the vision?

BALTIMORE -- If the 2017 Orioles look awfully familiar, it's by design.

Over the past two offseasons, executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has made a point to retain the club's free agents, making the group that will head to Sarasota, Fla., in a few days awfully familiar to fans and one another.

"It's looked like a couple times that I've been here that we were going to lose some important guys," said setup man Darren O'Day, who re-signed last winter. "Continuity is always good. Guys are known factors, so we know what they can do…it's nice to have the same guys every day. You are together a lot over those 6 months. Kinda nice to have some known quantities."

This winter's big move was Mark Trumbo, a signing that keeps the heart of the Orioles' order intact and ensures Trumbo and Chris Davis -- last winter's big re-sign -- will again form a pretty formidable pair.

The infield returns and the same starting rotation -- minus Yovani Gallardo, who was traded to Seattle on Jan. 6 -- will be relied upon to build on an improved second half. There are some new additions: Gallardo's deal brought outfielder Seth Smith, and the O's signed catcher Wellington Castillo. For the most part though, this 2017 team -- with a large chunk of free agents at the end of this year or next -- is anxious to get back to the postseason and fulfill some unfinished business.

"I think any time you get close to something with a good group, you want to see it through a little bit more, at least," Trumbo said of an Orioles team that lost in extra innings in the American League Wild Card Game. "I think the team and the season we put together last year was really incredible. We ultimately didn't get as far as we wanted, but when you look at the bulk of what we did, it was quite impressive."

The front office hopes keeping the O's core intact -- including a solid bullpen -- will keep them competitive as the window to win is now.

A large amount of their success will rely on the rotation, though the Orioles should benefit from having a full season of Dylan Bundy, and the further maturation of guys like Kevin Gausman and Chris Tillman.

"We're still a middleweight in a heavyweight division," Duquette told fans at FanFest, "but we're still trying to slug it out every night."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/orioles-acquire-ynoa-from-mets.html

Orioles acquire Ynoa from Mets

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com February 10, 2017

The Orioles made a move today to improve their pitching depth while also eliminating a catcher from the 40-man roster. Depth added and subtracted.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired 23-year-old right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the Mets for cash considerations. Catcher Francisco Pena was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Ynoa (pronounced ya-know-ah) is 59-30 with a 3.36 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 136 minor league games, including 128 starts. He appeared in 10 games (three starts) with the Mets last season and allowed 13 runs and 26 hits in 18 1/3 innings. He walked seven batters and struck out 17.

Ynoa had a 3.18 ERA in his three starts, allowing four runs and striking out 11 in 11 1/3.

The Mets signed Ynoa as a non-drafted minor league free agent in 2009. He went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA last summer in 25 starts with Triple-A Las Vegas, ranking third in the Pacific Coast League with 154 1/3 innings pitched.

In seven minor league seasons, Ynoa is averaging 1.5 walks, 5.6 strikeouts and 0.7 home runs per nine innings.

The Orioles are expected to start Ynoa at Triple-A Norfolk.

“He’s young, he’s strong, he’s durable,” Duquette said. “The kid won 13 games last year. Pitching in Las Vegas, that’s a tough ballpark to pitch in, but he was one of the top pitchers in the Pacific Coast League. He has a good sinker, a four-seam fastball that reaches 95 mph and a good changeup.

“Our scouts think he’ll be able to develop into a big league pitcher with a little more consistent breaking ball. He’s got pretty good credentials for a major league starting pitcher.”

The Orioles sought another starting option after trading Yovani Gallardo to the Mariners for outfielder Seth Smith.

“He gives us some depth. He should be able to help out the major league team,” Duquette said.

“This kid’s got a chance to be a starting pitcher in the big leagues. He’s got a lot of good qualities. He has talent and strength and he’s durable. Our scouts like him. We’ll see how he does with a little bit more experience.”

Pena, 27, figured to compete with Caleb Joseph for the backup job, but he’ll have to clear waivers. He’s out of options.

The camp roster currently includes Joseph, Welington Castillo, top prospect , Audry Perez and Yermin Mercedes. Austin Wynns is expected to come over from the minor league camp after demonstrating that he’s fully recovered from an ankle injury.

Pena, the son of former major league catcher and current Yankees coach Tony Pena, was 8-for- 40 with a home run and three RBIs in 14 games with the Orioles last season.

“We have some catching depth throughout the organization and Pena is out of options,” Duquette said. “We have Audry Perez, we have Chance Sisco, we have Austin Wynns, we have Yermin Mercedes, Caleb Joseph and Castillo. We have a little bit more depth at the catcher position.”

Castillo will leave camp to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, a development that Duquette conceded was “a concern.” However, Duquette sounded confident that the club would be fine.

The Orioles and Mets completed their second trade of the offseason. Duquette also acquired pitcher Logan Verrett on Nov. 30 for cash considerations.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/masn-to-air-seven-orioles-spring-training- games-1.html

MASN to air seven Orioles spring training games

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com February 10, 2017

If you’re unable to attend the Orioles’ exhibition games in person, their network will bring you closer to seven of them. Food and beverages not included.

MASN is airing seven spring training games from Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The coverage begins with the Feb. 27 game against the Yankees.

Your job keeping you from setting up in front of a television? Not to worry. All of the afternoon games will be replayed later on the same day.

The complete MASN spring training schedule for the Orioles is as follows: * Monday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m., New York Yankees vs. Orioles (replays at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.) * Sunday, March 5 at 1 p.m., Philadelphia Phillies vs. Orioles (replays at 4 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.) * Wednesday, March 8 at 1 p.m., Toronto Blue Jays vs. Orioles (replays at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.) * Saturday, March 11 at 1 p.m., Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Orioles (replays at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.) * Sunday, March 19 at 1 p.m., vs. Orioles (replays at 4 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.) * Wednesday, March 22 at 6 p.m., Tampa Bay Rays vs. Orioles (replay at 11:30 p.m.) * Thursday, March 30 at 1 p.m., Detroit Tigers vs. Orioles (replays at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.)

Pitchers and report on Monday, with the first full-squad workout held on Feb. 17.

The Orioles open their exhibition schedule with a Feb. 24 game against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. The first home game is Feb. 26 against the Pirates.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/machado-on-playing-shortstop-in-the-wbc- and-more.html

Machado on playing shortstop in the WBC and more

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com February 10, 2017

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado said last night that he expects to slide over to shortstop for the World Baseball Classic.

One look at the Dominican Republic’s roster and it’s easy to understand why.

Adrian Beltre figures to handle the hot corner. Other infielders include Machado, Robinson Cano, Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes.

Which player would you put at shortstop? Seems like a no-brainer to me.

“I kind of let them know that, hey, whatever it is, wherever you want me to play,”

Machado said last night on the “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan.

“We have a pretty stacked lineup. I can play short, I want to play short, and I most likely will be, but it’s more about the experience and representing the country where your mom came from and all my family’s been there. It’s going to be fun. I’m going to be excited for my mom and my family to watch me play there. I’m excited about it, to be honest.”

The Dominican is the defending WBC champions after Japan won the first two tournaments. The rosters were announced Wednesday night and Machado said the title is up for grabs.

“Everyone’s stacked,” he said. “Everyone’s All-Stars, everyone’s big leaguers throughout the board, so it’s just whoever’s hot. Whichever team can play as a team for that short amount of time. It’s going to be interesting.

“I think we have a pretty good chance of going back-to-back, but it’s just going to be a matter of us playing together for the couple of weeks that we’re together and see what goes on.”

One of Machado’s new Orioles teammates, catcher Welington Castillo, also will leave camp to play for the Dominican. His inclusion caught a few folks by surprise.

It also means that Castillo will have to interrupt the all-important bonding process with the pitching staff.

“I did not know, but I’m sure that he’s getting to spring training early,” Machado said. “I know the type of person that he is, that he’s going to go out there and from Day One he’ll be talking to the pitchers and see how he’s going to help, what his goals are going to be as an everyday catcher.

“I think he’s going to go out there and do his job and players are going to like him, pitchers are going to like him and they’re going to feel comfortable throwing to him. The matter of him being gone for a couple of weeks, he’s playing for his country. It’s always an honor to play in front of the crowd, in front of where your parents are from.

“I think he’s doing the right thing. I think he’s going to probably get in early and do everything extra that he’s going to need to fill in those couple weeks that he’s going to be gone.”

I’m not sure where Machado will bat in the WBC, but it’s a pretty safe bet that he won’t lead off for the Orioles. They like him hitting third, his spot for 114 games last season. How would Machado react if asked to bat first?

“There won’t be a reaction,” he said. “I’ve proven that I can hit in the leadoff spot. I’ve done better in the third spot, hitting 37 (home runs) and driving in runs. I did have a little slump last year in the second half, which I’m trying to improve this year. But we go up there and we’re going to try to drive in runs.

“The best-case scenario would be to get a leadoff hitter who will be on base for guys like Adam (Jones) and myself and (Mark) Trumbo and (Chris) Davis coming back. I’ll say that Adam did a great job last year. Adam was a great leadoff hitter. He did a great job stepping in. He got a lot of pitches to hit and he did a lot of his damage there.

“I think realistically speaking we should go out there and try to look for a leadoff hitter and get someone to fill that hole and push Adam back. Adam shouldn’t be hitting first. Adam should be hitting lower in the lineup because he’s one of the guys who can do damage and do the things that we need to do.”

To review, Jones thinks Machado should bat third and Machado thinks Jones also should bat lower than first. They won’t get an argument from me, but I still don’t know who’s the best candidate to lead off among players projected to be in the lineup on a regular basis.

Machado was asked about his contract status at FanFest and it’s going to happen again on the first day that he’s available to the media in spring training. He can’t be a free agent until the conclusion of the 2018 season, but it’s possible that the Orioles again will engage in extension talks.

“It’s obviously going to be a distraction if it keeps being brought up (by reporters),” he said, “but at the end of the day, those are things I can’t control, to be honest. Would I like to stay here? Of course. I’d love to stay here. This is the only organization that I know of, it’s the only uniform that I’ve put on.

“Hopefully, they come up and try to (do) something. I know they went back and forth through the arbitration meetings and all that. I know Dan (Duquette) knows what’s going on. I know Peter (Angelos) does, but at the end of the day, it’s about putting the best team out there. I’m under contract for the next two years, so they don’t really have to worry about me until then.

“Would it be easier to try to (do) something now? Yeah, but it’s not up to me. I can just go out there and play baseball and keep doing what I’ve been doing, and things will turn out. I know they want me to stay here. I’m looking forward to the season, looking forward to the next two years in the organization with everyone here, and hopefully I can be here for the long term.”

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2017/02/after-rbi-less-season-caleb-joseph- welcomes-a-fresh-start.html

After RBI-less season, Caleb Joseph welcomes a fresh start

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com February 10, 2017

With spring training, as the saying goes, “hope springs eternal.” It can serve as a fresh start and clean slate for players and teams alike.

Probably no Orioles player welcomes this is as much as catcher Caleb Joseph. A solid contributor to the 2014-15 teams, Joseph had a miserable 2016 season that included a .174 batting average and zero RBIs in 141 plate appearances. He also suffered a testicular injury that required surgery. It was a rough year.

Yep, he’s ready to start over and prove he’s better than that. O’s fans have seen him be better.

The same player that hit .074 (2-for-27) with runners in scoring position last year, hit .316 (24- for-76) with an OPS of .844 with RISP in 2015. That season, Joseph averaged an RBI every 6.5 at-bats, topping, for instance, Adam Jones (one every 6.6 at-bats) and Manny Machado (one every 7.4).

So with the knowledge that he’s done it before and intends to do it again, Joseph is probably thrilled for a fresh start.

“It’s huge and I already have (started over),” he said at FanFest. “Mentally, physically,

I’ve already started over. I’m really excited for 2017, for multiple reasons. One, we’ve got a great team coming back. Two, I feel great. And three, I love this team.

“Being with them at FanFest, even for just a couple of hours, was so much fun. Energizing. I’m ready to go. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and any other words you can throw in there. I’m ready.”

Joseph’s defense is considered solid, from pitch framing to game calling and throwing out runners. The 2014 American League East champion Orioles sported a team ERA of 3.44. But it was even better at 3.00 when Joseph caught, the best mark on the team. He had the best mark in 2015 as well at 3.65 to the team mark of 4.05.

Last year, his catcher ERA was higher than the overall team mark with Joseph’s number at 4.28 ( was first at 3.98) with a team mark of 4.22. Joseph threw out 31.3 percent of runners last season and his career mark is 33.1. Ironically, Joseph’s defense was questioned throughout his minor league career, but he’s proven to be better than those scouting reports now.

Joseph is ready for a challenge when pitchers and catchers report next week. The challenge is to keep his job as the No. 2 catcher. While Joseph has a minor league option remaining, Francisco Pena does not. Non-roster invitee Audry Perez may also get a look in Florida.

“You have to produce when you are out there,” Joseph said. “There is no question about that. Buck (Showalter) is going to make the decisions. He’s made them since he got here and it’s worked out right. The team has been in the playoffs. The tradition is back. You just have to put yourself in the best position possible. And that is all I can control. That is what I’m focused on. Just being as prepared as I can and when I get a chance, play as best as I can. You get more time when you play well. It’s on me, so we’ll see.”

It is clear that Joseph takes great pride in the results produced by the pitching staff. He loves catching any pitcher but was asked specifically about the young duo in the rotation in right- handers Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy.

“We believed that Dylan would be the type of pitcher he finished out as,” Joseph said.

“And Gausman, we’ve been hoping and waiting for that for a while now. Not for lack of trying. Sometimes it takes power pitchers time. And it really clicked for Gausman. Two extremely exciting prospects and extremely exciting starting pitchers for us.

“I love catching both of them. Mentally, they are very similar. Bulldog mentality. They love to win and they are not afraid to do the tough things, like pitch inside and pitch inside when behind in the count. When you have that kind of attitude and the stuff they have, more times than not you will be successful. It’s easier to be a catcher with those type of guys. I’m so excited they finished the way they did. It gives them a huge boost coming into this year and they are going to have to step up. Especially with the loss of (Yovani) Gallardo. They are the guys, so let’s see what happens.”

One of the best interviews in the Orioles clubhouse, Joseph is also known for his impressions and ability to crack up his teammates. His talents don’t end there. At FanFest, he showed off his drumming skills.

During a one-man show Joseph entertained the fans, and especially the kids. Click here to see that. Joseph said playing the drums can help with his baseball skills.

“Seriously, it does help,” he said. “Rhythm, tempo, being soft with your hands, but quick at the same time. It really does help, I’m not going to lie. That is why I’d like an entire drum set in the clubhouse.”

As it turns out, with or without an RBI, Joseph is pretty awesome.

Note: The Orioles late this morning announced that Pena has been designated for assignment to make 40-man roster room for right-handed pitcher Gabriel Ynoa. They acquired Ynoa from the New York Mets for cash considerations. Ynoa went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA last season for Triple- A Las Vegas. In 18 1/3 innings in the majors, he went 1-0 with a 6.38 ERA. He is noted as a control specialist in one scouting report with a fastball in the low 90s and a career walk-rate of 1.52 per every nine innings. He is the Mets’ No. 9 ranked prospect according to and No. 18 ranked prospect according to MLBPipeline.com.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18659412/baltimore-orioles-acquire-right-hander-gabriel- ynoa-new-york-mets

Orioles acquire RHP Gabriel Ynoa from Mets

ESPN.com February 10, 2017

The New York Mets traded right-hander Gabriel Ynoa to the in exchange for cash considerations, both clubs announced Friday.

Ynoa, 23, spent most of 2016 with Triple-A Las Vegas, going 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 25 starts. He appeared in 10 games (three starts) at the major league level, posting a 1-0 record and 6.38 ERA over 18 1/3 innings of work.

The Orioles designated catcher Francisco Peña for assignment to make room for Ynoa on their 40-man roster.

The Mets' 40-man roster is now at 39 players.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/10/orioles-five-biggest-offseason-highlights

Orioles' Five Biggest Offseason Highlights

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com February 10, 2017

As the last weekend of the Orioles' offseason approaches, here's a look back at the biggest storylines from the past four months.

1. Matt Wieters Departs, Welington Castillo Arrives

When the Orioles' offseason began, there was debate within the organization about whether Wieters, the team's longtime catcher, should receive a $17.2 million qualifying offer.

A year after Wieters surprisingly accepted a $15.8 million qualifying offer, there was no such offer coming this year, and in the biggest surprise of the offseason, he's without a job with camps opening next week.

While there's been some loose chatter about Wieters returning to the Orioles, they seemingly had no interest in bringing him back.

Instead, they signed Castillo, who was unexpectedly not offered a contract by the , to a one-year contract with a player option.

Castillo will report along with the other pitchers and catchers Feb. 13, but he won't have much time to get to know many of the pitchers because he'll be catching for Team Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

If the loaded Dominican Republic team plays in the finals, Castillo will only have the final week of camp to catch up with his new staff.

2. Mark Trumbo Stays Around

While there was no qualifying offer for Wieters, there was one for Trumbo, who became the fourth consecutive Orioles slugger to lead the majors in home runs.

The right fielder, who smacked 47 home runs in his first year with the Orioles, enjoyed that year but found the market for his services less than robust.

With not many palatable choices, Trumbo re-signed for three years and $37.5 million.

3. Yovani Gallardo Nets Orioles a New Right Fielder

For much of the offseason, there was fretting about the Orioles having six starters. How would they fit six starters in?

They traded Gallardo and his $11 million salary to Seattle for Seth Smith, a left-handed hitter they'd long wanted. Smith is a right fielder, something they needed, and he has a healthy on-base percentage.

Even better, Smith's salary for 2017 is $7 million, a $4 million saving.

Of course, if one of those remaining five starters gets hurt, fans may be wishing for Gallardo's return.

4. Adam Jones Wants Improved Outfield Defense

At FanFest Jan. 28, the center fielder said he hoped the corner outfielders would be more athletic.

While Jones was happy Trumbo was back and Smith was on board, he wished some speedier, better defenders were beside him.

It wasn't the first time Jones publicly suggested the Orioles change their business model.

In 2015, he said he wanted to speak with majority owner Peter Angelos to convince him the team had to spend aggressively to keep its free agents.

Since then, Trumbo, first baseman Chris Davis and right-hander Darren O'Day have been re- signed to multi-year contracts.

Unless the Orioles are counting on last year's pick, Joey Rickard, or one of this year's, Aneury Tavarez or Anthony Santander, to help the outfield defense, the search for additional outfielders goes on and may extend into spring training.

5. Who Will Bat Leadoff?

Last year, manager Buck Showalter used Jones in the leadoff spot. After the season ended, Showalter said he wanted to move him out of the top spot.

Jones was elevated because he wasn't hitting at the time, and the move helped him and the Orioles.

Showalter could use Hyun Soo Kim as the leadoff batter. He could use Smith. But neither has proven they can consistently hit left-handers, and in Kim's case, they have little experience at it.

Rickard is another possibility, but he may not play regularly.

This question of the offseason has no clear answer four months later, and it may be until late in spring training, perhaps after the conclusion of the World Baseball Classic, before it's fully answered.

ORIOLES ACQUIRE PITCHER: The Orioles acquired right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the New York Mets for cash considerations.

The 23-year-old was 1-0 with a 6.38 ERA in 10 games (three starts) with the Mets.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher Francisco Pena for assignment.

"Gabe Ynoa is young, strong, durable and talented," Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said in a text message. "Our scouts feel he can develop into a major league starting pitcher by developing a consistent breaking pitch. We look forward to his contributions to the Orioles this season and beyond."

NOTE: The Orioles will place individual game tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 14.

Concurrently with that announcement, the team revealed its promotional schedule for this season.

Highlights include an Orioles "Welcome Mat" April 22, a "Birdland Yard Flag" May 9, a "Maryland Flag Script Jersey" May 20, the return of "Floppy Hat Night" June 2, an "Orioles Greyscale Cap" June 18, a Zach Britton bobblehead July 1, a Jonathan Schoop bobblehead Aug. 5 and a "25th Anniversary Oriole Park at Camden Yards Replica Ballpark" Aug. 19.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/10/is-dan-duquettes-2017-orioles-roster-short-one- important-piece

Is Dan Duquette's 2017 Orioles Roster Short One Important Piece?

By Stan Charles / PressBoxOnline.com February 10, 2017

When a baseball season ends for any MLB team, it can't build a roster for next season from scratch. However, there is usually a four- to seven-person blank canvas that a general manger has to improve from one year to the next.

Needless to say, free agency plays a part in filling those spots, as do trades and moving on from certain players. There are also, hopefully, a couple of prospects trying to knock down that door of opportunity.

With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in Sarasota, Fla., Feb. 13, let's take a look at how the Orioles and executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette have built toward a 25-man roster that will open at Camden Yards against the Toronto Blue Jays April 3.

At the end of the 2016 season, the team's key free agents were catcher Matt Wieters and outfielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo. The O's moved on succinctly from Wieters and the high ask he and his agent, Scott Boras, have stuck to, even though Wieters' stock has fallen dramatically since his Tommy John surgery in May 2014. New catcher Welington Castillo is on board, and he will handle about 130-135 games behind the plate in 2017.

Trumbo was a priority to re-sign, apparently all the way from the top, and Duquette doggedly hung in there and got his man on a three-year deal at $37.5 million. The one significant difference is Trumbo, who will probably play in excess of 150 games, will play far fewer in right field. He is expected to spend about 100-110 games as the team's primary DH with the acquisition of former Mariner Seth Smith for right-hander Yovani Gallardo.

Behind Adam Jones, Hyun-Soo Kim, Smith and Trumbo, the other two outfielders figure to come from a group of Joey Rickard, currently unsigned free-agent Michael Bourn and the two Rule 5 picks, former Red Sox prospect Aneury Tavarez and former Indians prospect Anthony Santander. Remember this about Duquette and Rule 5 draft picks: he clutches onto them like an old-time racetrack goer holds on to an old, half-smoked stogie.

In his five previous years with the Orioles, Duquette has used Rule 5 picks on utility man Ryan Flaherty, lefty T.J. McFarland, third baseman Michael Almanzar, right-handers Jason Garcia and Logan Verrett and Rickard a year ago. Of the group, all are currently members of the Orioles' organization. Only Verrett got out of his hands, and he wound up being claimed by the Rangers off waivers when he didn't crack the Orioles' 25-man roster in 2015. Ultimately, he wound up back with his original club, the New York Mets. Duquette was able to purchase him this offseason.

The infield is pretty much set in stone with Chris Davis at first, Jonathan Schoop at second, J.J. Hardy at short and Manny Machado at third.

With the trade of Gallardo, there are five projected starters in right-handers Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy and Ubaldo Jimenez and lefty . After that, should an injury occur, Verrett appears at the top of the list with right-handers Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright behind a notch or two.

Then there is the bullpen, which is headed by lefty closer Zach Britton and right-handers Darren O'Day, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens and second-year lefty Donnie Hart.

It's a solid staff and a potentially exceptional bullpen. But this is where Duquette's offseason comes off the rails. It's a seemingly small matter, which has the chance of becoming a major irritant.

When you are a team with a left-handed closer, as the Orioles are, it seems imperative that you have not one, but two other lefties to come in when a David Ortiz, Michael Brantley, Eric Hosmer or Robinson Cano comes to the plate in the sixth-eighth innings.

With the Orioles' starting staff lacking a true No. 1 starter and having two others, in Miley and Jimenez, who are problematic, chances are the Orioles will be in a lot of close, high-scoring games. The combination of those issues with a flawed offense lacking on-base potential leaves the Orioles needing plenty of close wins dictated by the bullpen.

While Hart was excellent in 2016, with a 0.49 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 18.1 innings through 22 games, that's still too small of a sample size to bank on those numbers being the norm. There were a lot of free-agent lefties available this offseason. I understand that with a team payroll flirting with a $160 million figure, you cannot buy everything at any price.

But it sure seems a lefty like J.P. Howell at $3 million, the exact deal Howell finalized with the Blue Jays Feb. 9, might have made a lot of sense.

Considering all this, when the Orioles go in-season shopping, their No. 1 need is a second left- hander to solidify the bridge to Britton.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/10/orioles-acquire-rhp-gabriel-ynoa-from-the-mets/

Orioles Acquire RHP Gabriel Ynoa From The Mets

CBS Baltimore February 10, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Baltimore Orioles have acquired RHP Gabriel Ynoa from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations.

To make room on the 40-man roster, C Fransisco Peña has been designated for assignment.

Ynoa, 23, went 59-30 with a 3.36 ERA (297 ER/795.1 IP) and 1.17 WHIP in 136 career minor league games (128 starts). He made his Major League debut on August 13, 2016 against San Diego and pitched in 10 games (three starts) with the Mets last season, posting a 2.43 /walk ratio. Originally signed by the Mets as a non-drafted minor league free agent on November 19, 2009, Ynoa went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA (68 ER/154.1 IP) over 25 starts with Triple-A Las Vegas in 2016, ranking third among Pacific Coast League pitchers in innings pitched, while also leading the 51’s in wins and starts.

Peña, 27, batted .200/.238/.275 (8-for-40) with a home run and three RBI in 14 games with the Orioles last season.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/02/10/orioles-add-gabriel-ynoa-designate-pena-moves- mean/

Orioles add Gabriel Ynoa and designate Pena — what these moves mean

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com February 10, 2017

The Orioles and executive vice president Dan Duquette continue to work on the 40-man roster as pitchers and catchers are about to report to Sarasota, Fla., on Monday.

In one move Friday morning, Duquette added a pitcher and took a catcher off the roster.

The Orioles acquired 23-year-old right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the New York Mets for cash considerations and placed him on their 40-man roster. In doing so, they designated catcher Francisco Pena for assignment, meaning the club has 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers on Pena, who was expected to battle Caleb Joseph for the back-up catcher’s job.

Ynoa, a Dominican Republic native, made his big-league debut for the Mets in August, picking up his first win while throwing a scoreless inning of relief against San Diego. Overall, he made 10 appearances, including three starts, and posted a 6.38 ERA in 18 1/3 innings (26 hits, seven walks, 17 strikeouts) for the Mets. In 25 starts at hitter friendly Las Vegas last year, Ynoa was 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA. He headed into 2017 as the Mets’ ninth-ranked prospect, according to Baseball America.

“He’s young, has some good pitches and is very durable and competitive,” Duquette said. “Our scouts think he can develop into a competent big league starter if he can develop a little more consistency with his breaking pitches.”

Ynoa’s best pitch is his sinker, which averaged 93.65 mph last season, according to mlb.com’s Statcast. He throws his four-seam fastball in the low 90s, but Duquette said he can touch 94 with it. He has a slider and changeup that aren’t yet quality pitches, but he is a strike thrower, almost to a fault. He has walked 141 in 813 2/3 pro innings (with 515 strikeouts), and is around the plate so much that he has given up plenty of hits, 826 in his career.

“He won 13 games last year (between the minors and majors),” Duquette said. “We just think he needs a little more experience.”

I take a stab at some questions involving this deal here:

Where’s Ynoa headed? He’ll be in spring camp with the Orioles and, technically, he’ll be competing for a major-league job. But the Orioles want him to continue to work as a starter, so he almost certainly will be in Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation to begin the year.

Why did this move intrigue the Orioles? First, Ynoa’s youth. He immediately becomes the youngest pitcher on the Orioles’ 40-man roster. He’s the second youngest on the 40-man roster overall – behind only Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander. And Ynoa has upside; Baseball America’s John Manuel said he’d put Ynoa as ninth on the Orioles’ 2017 prospect list now, just ahead of Santander.

Secondly, the Orioles need starting pitchers that are knocking on the big-league door if injuries occur. Right now, that list consists of Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright – who were given a chance last year – and Logan Verrett, Joe Gunkel and Chris Lee, who is attempting to come back from injury. Ynoa might have the ability and experience to leapfrog all of them.

Third, it cost cash, not players, to acquire him.

Why did the Mets do this? The Mets are one of the few teams in baseball that have depth when it comes to young arms. They needed to strengthen their late-inning relief and are reportedly re-signing reliever Fernando Salas. They have to clear a roster spot for Salas, and so they likely would have had to designate Ynoa anyway. This way, they get something for him now – and the kid isn’t in limbo at the start of spring training.

Are the Orioles done adding starting pitching depth? Nope. Duquette said that’s still on his priority list. And, in the right deal, he said he could add a starting pitcher on a big-league deal. That means someone else would have to come off the 40- man roster. Not worth speculating whom that would be at this point.

What does this mean for the Orioles’ catching situation? Pena was supposed to get a real look at back-up catcher this spring. And now he may be out of the organization. Right now, Joseph and Welington Castillo are the only catchers on the 40-man roster, and Castillo will be lost for several weeks in the spring as he plays for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. So, suddenly, the Orioles look short on catchers for the spring. They could always sign a minor-league free agent to bridge the gap. And there’s no guarantee Pena will be claimed. He is 27, out of options and a career .239 hitter in the minors. He could be back within days if no one claims him off waivers.

Does this mean anything for Matt Wieters? Probably not. If the Orioles’ re-signed Wieters, Pena would definitely be the odd man out in the organization, because that would mean Joseph and top prospect Chance Sisco would share Triple-A catching duties. But I think we’d be reading too much into the DFA of Pena if we speculate this move means Wieters is coming back. There are a lot of more important factors in any Wieters move – for both sides – than what happens to the club’s backup backstops. It’s about fit and money and playing time and defensive needs and filling a leadership void. Not about backups.

What’s Connolly’s bottom line here? Ynoa is definitely worth a shot, especially with minor league options available. It’s a classic Duquette under-the-radar move that could pay dividends.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/02/10/tap-question-best-worst-promotional-giveaways- orioles-history/

Tap-In Question: What are the best and worst promotional giveaways in Orioles’ history?

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com February 10, 2017

Sometimes, silly is good.

Sometimes, sticking with a pattern is good.

And sometimes you get toward the end of an offseason and you just don’t feel like writing the same thing again – or striking up the same old conversation at the bar.

This, inadvertently, was “greatest week” at BaltimoreBaseball.com. In the last few days, I’ve offered my opinion on greatest radio announcers in Orioles’ history and made you come to the bar and debate who is the Greatest Of All Time in the annals of Baltimore sports.

So, I’m sort of, kind of going back to the well again, at least tapping in – pun intended – to the “greatest” thing. Even though today’s subject matter is highly insignificant.

On Thursday, the Orioles announced their promotional schedule for 2017. It includes bobbleheads of Zach Britton and Jonathan Schoop, a Manny Machado Starting Lineup figure, a scaled-down replica of Camden Yards, an O’s welcome mat and various caps and T-shirts.

People love free stuff. And it’s amazing how many people will show up at Camden Yards for a T-shirt or a floppy hat. I’d criticize that motivation, but, frankly, I loved those promotions as a kid – and I still think some of the giveaways at Camden Yards these days are pretty enticing.

The Showalter Gnome was genius; the replica statues truly were collectibles and I’m a fan of the O’s golf umbrella. There’s always one of those in my car trunk.

Sure, some giveaways haven’t worked out. That “newsboy cap” last year was terrible; it only fit those with gnome-sized heads. And the first fedora they gave out a few years ago seemingly was made of construction paper. And let’s not forget the bluish-purple Brian Roberts bobbleheads that were nixed before the promotion occurred, or those seat cushions that became projectiles to protest umpiring decisions at Memorial Stadium.

My favorite giveaway of all-time were those black, wooden bats the Orioles presented in the 1970s. Times have changed. I’m not sure the Orioles would sign off on giving away weapons these days, but at age 8, nothing was cooler than Bat Day.

Well, I guess Halter Top Day back in the 1970s would rival it – and that one is even less likely than Bat Day to return. When I first mentioned the giveaway halter tops in a piece I had written several years ago, I remember the Orioles’ late Public Relations Director, Monica Barlow, asking if I were joking. When I said, “No, your organization really gave out orange bra-like tops to women once a year,” she was aghast, to put it mildly. I still laugh when I think of her reaction.

So, there have been some good, some bad and some bizarre. Let’s discuss this not-so-hot topic today over a cold beer.

Tap-In Question: What’s the best and worst Orioles’ promotional giveaways in club history

http://www.telegram.com/sports/20170208/baseball-gardner-reliever-oliver-drake-has-plenty-to- build-on-for-orioles

Baseball: Gardner reliever Oliver Drake has plenty to build on for Orioles

By Bill Ballou / telegram.com February 8, 2017

It really doesn't matter when a batter hits his first major league home run or when a pitcher gets his first major league win, but circumstances can make the occasion even more memorable.

That was the case last September when Oliver Drake recorded his first big-league win for the Orioles.

It took a while for the Gardner native, happening last Sept. 23 in his 25th major league appearance. That night, the Orioles, in the thick of a battle for a playoff spot, went 12 innings to beat the Diamondbacks at Camden Yards, 3-2, with Mark Trumbo hitting a walk-off homer leading off the bottom of the inning.

Drake, the seventh pitcher employed by Buck Showalter that night, threw just eight pitches in the top of the inning.

"It was an awesome feeling," Drake said of the dramatic moment, "coming in extra innings with us in the middle of the playoff hunt, so it was a game that very much mattered. I had a quick inning, got our guys back into the dugout fast, then Mark Trumbo came up and did what he does best.

"I was getting ready to go out there for the next inning if that was the case, but as it turned out, it wasn't."

Drake did not get Trumbo's home run ball, but he did get a couple of game balls used in the 12th inning as well as the lineup card signed by his teammates, manager and the coaching staff.

Drake, who turned 30 last month, spent most of the winter in Gardner as has been the case throughout his career, also having some vacation time in Puerto Rico. He worked out at Cressey Performance in Hudson, another traditional offseason pursuit.

"It's always good inside at Cressey's," he said. "I go there to stay healthy and get stronger. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and it has always worked for me."

His 2016 season was divided into into four distinct quarters, two with Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk and two with the Orioles.

Drake opened the year in Norfolk in his standard minor league role as closer. As the year progressed, he returned to his unhittable form of 2015 and went 14 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run. That ended on June 18, after which he was summoned to Baltimore to pitch out of the Orioles bullpen.

Baltimore did not have an opening at closer at the time, as Zach Britton was 2-1 with an 0.93 ERA and had converted 21 of 21 saves when Drake arrived. In his first appearance, Drake was charged with a blown save after he came in with the bases loaded and the Orioles up by two runs, and allowed two inherited runners to score.

He pitched in four games from June 21-29 and was charged with six earned runs in 5-2/3 innings, then went back to Norfolk to work in setup situations. During his final 20 appearances at Triple A, Drake pitched more than one inning 16 times.

The Orioles brought him up for good at the end of August, and he pitched very well through the end of the season. In 10 appearances after being recalled from Norfolk, Drake allowed two earned runs in 12-1/3 innings to reduce his from 9.53 to 4.00.

Most significant was his walk-strikeout ratio, something that had always been good in the minors, but had been a problem in previous major league appearances. Drake walked only two and struck out 15, including at least one batter in nine of his 10 outings.

The last earned run he allowed was on Sept. 12 in Boston, a home run into the visitors bullpen by David Ortiz.

Drake has never opened a season in the major leagues, but given his success last September, April could find him in a Baltimore uniform.

"I just kind of ride the momentum going from the end of year," he said. "There's definitely a learning curve, because it's different up there, and any time you can get comfortable in a setting, it's easier to perform at a new level. It definitely helped having some experience up there."

During the winter, Drake got engaged to longtime girlfriend Shannon Brow. The wedding is scheduled for next fall or winter, sometime after the baseball season ends.

As well as 2016 ended for Drake, it was not a perfect year considering the Orioles' early playoff exit.

"For me, it was a good end to the season," he said, "but as team — when you get to the playoffs, it's exciting, but you don't just want to get there, you want to keep going, so when we didn't, everyone was bummed about it.

"But you have to move on to the next year. The job didn't get done, but there's a lot to build on."

The construction, for both Drake and the Oriole, begins later this month in Sarasota.