World Champions 1983, 1970, 1966 American League Champions 1983, 1979, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1966 American League East Division Champions 2014, 1997, 1983, 1979, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969 American League Wild Card 2012, 1996 Monday, October 26, 2015 Columns: The World Series is looming, and free agency is right behind it The Sun 10/26 Orioles might hire new assistant hitting coach The Sun 10/23 Christian Walker on his second-half improvement MASNsports.com 10/26 More on the coaching staff and Trey Mancini MASNsports.com 10/25 This, that and the other MASNsports.com 10/24 Another look at Matt Wieters and the possibility of a qualifying offer MASNsports.com 10/26 First offseason edition: "10 Questions for O's Fans" MASNsports.com 10/25 A look at the least-talked-about player among O's pending free agents MASNsports.com 10/24 Orioles need a better 2016 from Tillman to contend CSN Mid-Atlantic 10/26 Orioles had a better way to look for a manager CSN Mid-Atlantic 10/25 An Orioles fan guide to MLB's expansion era World Series CSN Mid-Atlantic 10/24 Would long-term deal with Britton be a good idea? CSN Mid-Atlantic 10/23 2015 Orioles Roster Review, Part Two: The Non-Valuable Orioles PressBoxOnline.com 10/25 http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-the-world-series-is-looming-and-free- agency-is-right-behind-it-20151025-story.html The World Series is looming, and free agency is right behind it By Dan Connolly / The Baltimore Sun October 26, 2015 With the World Series starting Tuesday in Kansas City, the period for teams to speak exclusively with their own pending free agents is coming to a close. Baseball’s free agency officially begins after the completion of the World Series — which will occur at some point between Saturday (end of Game 4) and Nov. 4 (end of Game 7). Teams then have five days after that to negotiate exclusively with their free agents before players are free to talk with any interested club. According to several industry sources, the Orioles have had extension discussions with some of their six pending free agents since the season ended, but not with all of them. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette wouldn’t go into specifics, saying only that, “Once the season is over Major League Baseball has rules governing dialogue between players and clubs, and rules that also apply to outside comments about any of that.” The Orioles’ pending free agents are slugger Chris Davis, lefty starter Wei-Yin Chen, right- handed reliever Darren O’Day, catcher Matt Wieters, outfielder Gerardo Parra and infielder- outfielder Steve Pearce. All have said they would like to return, but it’s more likely the club re- signs one or two, if any. At least one representative of the above six said his client remains interested in re-signing, but the opportunity to talk to other teams will soon be a factor. “We’ve had ongoing discussions with Baltimore throughout the season and I plan on continuing to have ongoing discussions with Baltimore,” said Jeff Borris, who represents O’Day. “However, time is of the essence because free agency is right around the corner.” Duquette said getting a deal done during the exclusive negotiating period is always ideal, but he won’t give up hope once that window has expired. More competition, though, means players’ price tags are likely to increase — potentially beyond what the Orioles are willing to pay. Duquette’s not making a prediction on who will re-sign or when. “I wouldn’t handicap it. A lot of players will wait and hear what the interests of the other clubs are. We’ll see,” Duquette said. “It really depends on the player and what they want to accomplish. Generally, most players, once they’ve completed the season, wait to see what the market is and hear what other teams have to say. Generally, the market has to run its course the way it does every year.” http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-could-hire-new-assistant-hitting- coach-20151023-story.html Orioles might hire new assistant hitting coach By Dan Connolly / The Baltimore Sun October 23, 2015 Although all seven members of Orioles manager Buck Showalter’s staff will be back for 2016, it looks like the club could hire another big league coach -- potentially one to help current hitting instructor Scott Coolbaugh. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said Friday he has “made progress” on returning every coach, but added that, “we’re not quite done with the composition of the staff.” One possibility, he said, is that the team could hire a new assistant hitting instructor to work with Coolbaugh, who enters his second year as the club’s hitting coach. “That’s one of the areas that we are discussing,” Duquette said. Einar Diaz, a former big league catcher, has been the club’s assistant hitting coach for the past three years while also handling a chunk of batting practice pitching duties. He is expected to return in 2016, but his title might change. If that happens, Diaz could be used in the bullpen more during games to help catch relievers now that the club did not renew the contract of batting practice pitcher/bullpen catcher Rudy Arias. One of Diaz’s primary responsibilities has been throwing batting practice both pregame and in- game in the stadium’s indoor tunnel to help keep potential pinch hitters and designated hitters loose. Duquette said he doesn’t have a timeline to officially complete the makeup of Showalter’s group or when an announcement is planned. There has been at least one change to the staff each offseason that Showalter has managed the Orioles, though in this instance the full group would return. http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2015/10/christian-walker-on-his-second-half- improvement.html Christian Walker on his second-half improvement By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com October 26, 2015 If the Orioles aren't willing to enter a bidding war for first baseman Chris Davis, they'll need to figure out whether his replacement is inside the organization, or if they need to come up with a cheaper alternative from another team or the free agent market. Where does Christian Walker fit into this puzzle? My guess is Walker begins the 2016 season at Triple-A Norfolk, but he's going to fight for a roster spot in spring training. There's been lots of attention directed toward Double-A Bowie first baseman Trey Mancini, the Orioles' minor league Player of the Year, but Walker made his own impression. Walker won the same award in 2014 and he finished strong in 2015, batting .257/.342/.515 with 12 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs and 44 RBIs in 54 games with Norfolk following the break. "His second half of the season, he almost carried the club offensively on a lot of nights," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "He had the type of second half he had almost all year last year. He made a lot of improvements at first base." Walker, 24, said he made "some adjustments" that allowed him to increase his production after hitting five home runs and registering a .313 on-base percentage and .366 slugging percentage in the first half. "A couple little mechanical things here and there," Walker said last month. "It was more of a comfort thing. I couldn't get comfortable at the plate the first half. Whether it was my approach or my fundamentals, for whatever reason it just wasn't there. It's part of the game. "Looking back, it was probably good for me. It was learning curve. I learned a lot about myself. But, yeah, it was a great second half, and all things considered, it was a good year." Walker was challenged to focus on his play at Norfolk and not what the Orioles might do with their expanded roster. "I want to be here and stay here and play as much as possible," he said. "All I can really worry about is what I can take care of - and that's being the best player I can be, staying healthy and just all aspects of it." Walker, who went 1-for-9 with three walks in seven games with the Orioles, understood that his defense was being scrutinized. He didn't make a favorable impression in the field last year. "Defense is key, especially here and just in the big leagues," he said. "I didn't want that to be the reason why I wasn't in the big leagues. I wanted to turn that weakness into a strength and focus on it and I've definitely made some strides. I'm definitely getting better. I'm comfortable with where I'm at right now." Walker credited Norfolk's coaching staff, including field coach Jose Hernandez, who often seems to get overlooked. "That was a good staff we had. Real helpful guys," he said. "Jose Hernandez did a lot for me defensively. I took a lot of ground balls, just a lot of conversation about footwork. You learn a lot from those guys, people who have been around the game for years and years and played in the big leagues. (Sean) Berry was there for 11 years, Jose for parts of 15. They've been through it. They know the game and understand it. It's good to be around those guys." Meanwhile, I'm taking the Royals in six.