Author Archives: Domenic Vadala

Welcome to Birdland Crush! Yes folks, for the record it's a spin off of the popular summer beverage native to the Mid-Atlantic Region - "orange crush." Nevertheless, I've been covering Orioles' baseball since 2009 in some capacity, and it's basically the greatest gig of all time so far as I'm concerned! But for those who aren't familiar with my work or bio, I'm familiar with pretty much every sport out there. But baseball is king - we all know that. So my hope is that you come back and check in after every Orioles' game, and throughout the off-season. I'm always on duty!

Baltimore Orioles: Will Santa come late for the O’s?

People have more important things to do on this Christmas Eve than worry about the Baltimore Orioles. So we’re going to keep it brief. Or as brief as possible, that is.

As everyone knows, Santa Claus comes tonight. Let that sink in if you’re wondering where the time went. In the past month fans have worried ad hoc about the Orioles going into 2018. What should they expect?

The winter meetings came and went, as did the subsequent weeks as we led into what’s normally a break for big league teams over Christmas and New Years. No moves were made by the Orioles. Yet it seemed that everyone around them were making every possible move they could. So…will Santa stop at the yard this year?

I think that Orioles fans want the team to do something. Whether it’s a trade of Machado, a signing, etc., they want something to happen. For the record, while most team personnel across the league are off this coming week for the holidays, GM’s will still have their phones on. If something comes down the pike, a deal will be made.

But will something come down the pike for this Orioles team? Tough to say. At some point it will – but Santa might just be a little bit later than normal.

Baltimore Orioles: Old and new intersect

The Baltimore Orioles’ fortunes aren’t necessarily tied to the local NFL team. Or teamS (plural), as it may be – the current and the former, that is. But…do they? Or did they in the past?

The Indianapolis Colts come to town this afternoon to play the Baltimore Ravens at M & T Bank Stadium. That would be the former Baltimore Colts, that is. You know, the team that left town in the middle of the night on Mayflower moving vans in March of 1984, ripping the hearts of the city and it’s sports fans out all the while? Yes, those Colts. And they’re back – for today at least.

It’s certainly not the first time the Colts have come to town. And it won’t be the last. Baltimore’s really an interesting study of a town in terms of the NFL. In the sense of the NFL, it’s squarely behind the Ravens now. However if you ask most fans (my father included) if they’d take the Colts name and tradition back if given the chance, I think the answer would be yes.

Only in Baltimore do you have the sight of the Colts wearing their white visiting uniforms and coming out onto the field to the thundering boos of many who still remember them fondly. Only in Baltimore do you have the band playing the former Baltimore Colts and current Baltimore Ravens fight song. And only in Baltimore are the Colts the visitors in a stadium that honors “Johnny Unitas and the Baltimore Colts” in it’s ring of fame. Needless to say, it’s an interesting dynamic.

I was three years old when the Colts left. But the mere act ripped my Dad’s heart out, as well as those of his brothers. And that was true of all fans of their generation. So while the Ravens have playoff hopes on the line, today’s game has meaning across the board, regardless of anything else.

However as I said, in some senses the Orioles’ fortunes were tied to that snowy morning in 1984. The reason the Colts left was because they wanted a new stadium – Memorial Stadium had become too decrepit for their liking. And eventually, the writing was on the wall for the Orioles to adopt the same sentiment.

The act of the Colts leaving put both Baltimore and really the entire sports world on notice that owners (especially garbage owners like Robert Irsay) could hold cities hostage by demanding a new stadium. And if that city was unwilling to build it, there was always another city that would do so and except that team as it’s own with open arms. Teams had moved before – heck, the Baltimore Bullets relocated down the pike to Washington. But never like that.

So the movement eventually became not only to secure funding in the Maryland state legislature for a new football stadium at some point in time, but also for a new ballpark for the O’s. At the time, Washington was always the low-hanging fruit in terms of a baseball team relocating. There were rumors that the O’s would go there, or Charlotte, or perhaps even Portland, OR. The threat was real.

With help of course famously from the former Baltimore Colts marching band, the state legislature approved funding for both stadiums. The football stadium of course was on hold because the city didn’t have a team. However in November of 1995 the Cleveland Browns announced their intention to relocate to Baltimore the following season, and they became the Ravens. They played for two years at Memorial Stadium, which I always saw as poetic justice. However the funding that the state earmarked so long before eventually became what’s now called M & T Bank Stadium, which opened in 1998.

Plans for a new stadium for the O’s began in earnest almost immediately. Oriole Park at Camden Yards of course opened in 1992. And as we know, it’s The Ballpark that Forever Changed Baseball. All of these issues (the Colts leaving, resulting in funding for two stadiums) will intersect today in the Inner Harbor, as the Ravens push for the playoffs against the Colts.

Baltimore Orioles must always get the proper value

First and foremost, numerous outlets have reported that Baltimore Orioles’ closer Zach Britton‘s achilles surgery was successful yesterday. Now begins the tough part: rehab. The Orioles are hoping that Britton might be back before the trade deadline, but obviously at this point it’s tough to say.

The O’s have been getting lambasted by fans and local media the past few days for what’s interpreted as having botched trades. They had a trade involving Britton last year, and the medicals on one of the players the O’s were to have received came back suspect. Britton stayed with the Orioles obviously, and now thanks to a freak accident he’s on the shelf for the foreseeable future.

There were several deals out there for Manny Machado during the winter meetings last week. The Orioles didn’t like any of them, as they’re looking for two starting pitching prospects in return. Fans see this as just more of the same. The O’s are being greedy and unrealistic.

Maybe they are, for all we know. But the Britton injury can’t be allowed to convince them that staying the course is a bad idea. Unfortunately these things do happen. They shouldn’t, but they do. The Orioles have assets that other teams covet – such as the Machado’s of the world. Why should they sell low?

I’ve had people tell me that they should have gotten whatever they could for Britton, and that they should do the same with Machado. And of course people in that camp can point to this Britton injury as evidence that they’re right. Okay, so if someone offered a low-A prospect, should the Orioles have taken it?

The way forward is either with Machado (and Britton) on the roster this year, OR with prospects that equal or better their value. That’s the only way forward, because if you don’t value your own pieces, you can’t expect other teams to do so.

Baltimore Orioles lose Zach Britton

There’s bad luck, and then there’s bad luck Baltimore Orioles style. The organization found out late Tuesday night that they had lost the services of closer Zach Britton – at least for the first half of the 2018 season. Britton ruptured his right achilles tendon while working out in California. The injury will require surgery, and he’s expected to miss six months.

This is a really difficult pill to swallow for the Orioles, who almost traded Britton to Houston last year. Ironically, the trade was nixed because the O’s didn’t like the medicals on the players they were to receive. However regardless of anything else, Britton’s out for the foreseeable future.

There’s nothing worse for any team in any sport than to have an injury of that magnitude occur to a player during the off season. Let’s be clear, however; this wasn’t a non-baseball related injury that happened because the guy was horsing around. He was working out, getting ready for the season (and at his agent, Scott Boras’ training center no less). But the fact is that it happened outside of the parameters of the season, and that’s tough to fathom.

This would in theory mean that the Orioles couldn’t move Britton at the deadline, because who’s going to give up anything of value for a guy coming off of achilles surgery? Britton is of course in the final year of his contract, and would have brought some dividends for the Orioles at the deadline – if not before.

Baltimore Orioles: Hindsight’s 20/20

There’s a lot of talk across the board about the Baltimore Orioles, and had they not done this or that they maybe could afford Manny Machado. One such deal is that of Chris Davis, who signed a long-term contract before the 2016 season. For a lot of money.

I want to remind people that the Davis signing was widely popular in Baltimore. I thought it was a smart move myself. The same was true with re-signing Mark Trumbo, who had a brilliant 2016 season. Another move with which I agreed. But those two signings stemmed from letting Nelson Cruz walk after 2014. The Orioles felt they should have kept him.

Maybe they should have, and maybe they shouldn’t have. But either way, quite a few people were in favor of the Davis and Trumbo signings. Now people are saying the Orioles were stupid. So what gives?

Hindsight’s always 20/20. So it’s easy to look back now and suggest that they shouldn’t have done something that they did. My personal opinion is that the Orioles are a better team with Davis and Trumbo – just like they’re a better team with Machado. However the fact is that you can’t keep everyone.

And for the record, we don’t know how things would have played out had those guys not remained on the team. For all we know the team would have been even worse, and Manny would have demanded a trade before now. That’s always a possibility. However I’m not one to say that Orioles fans should prepare for the worst and assume that this team is going to be poor. The Birds have a hot-hitting lineup – with or without Machado.

So don’t just assume, especially because Machado isn’t going to get traded for peanuts. The Orioles will get a good deal, because that’s what they do. So they’ll end up with one, maybe two, starting pitchers out of the deal. That could stablize the organization and potentially allow them to win MORE games. Couldn’t it?!

Baltimore Orioles: Waiting game on Manny Machado

Baltimore Orioles fans are still waiting on news of a would-be trade involving Manny Machado. The problem with the winter meetings is that news like this leaks out and it comes off as the Birds are about to pull off the trade at any moment. That turns into next week, which turns into whenever.

Word on the street is that the O’s hope a deal is done before the Warehouse closes for Christmas and New Years. But what if that doesn’t happen? Are the Orioles balking?

I would say no. Granted, you want to know who’s going to be on your team as early as possible. However in terms of getting the utmost value for Machado, I would submit that the Birds still have some time. It’s not an unlimited amount of time, but they have some wiggle room.

Once teams report for spring training I would suspect his value would start taking a hit. Once you’ve reported for spring training you’re starting to go through the motions of being on that team for the season, and preparing – both mentally and physically. And blockbuster-type trades rarely happen in spring training.

So with that deadline in mind, the O’s should probably aim to have this done at the latest by the end of January. Coincidentally, that coincides with the team’s annual FanFest. But the fact is that they won’t get the value out of Machado that they should get and deserve to get if they pull the trigger once spring training has begun. If it gets to that point, they should wait for the deadline.

Baltimore Orioles: Is paranoia working against the Birds?

The Baltimore Orioles saw a familiar emotion pop up with all the talk last week of trading Manny Machado: paranoia. And I’m really one to talk – my unease about trading in the division is well documented. But are the Orioles letting that get the best of them?

The Orioles and owner Peter Angelos have always had a paranoid streak in them regarding New York (and to a lesser degree Boston). They’re wary of the fact that New York fans come to Camden Yards en masse and take over Orioles’ home games. And they’re wary of the fact that they (the O’s that is) are very careful in how they spend their money, whereas New York seemingly throws caution to the wind. And they’re respected for it and it generally works out for them.

So yes, the Orioles are a bit paranoid about dealing with New York in terms of trading Machado. And New York knows that. So…is New York simply muddying the waters for the Orioles? Perhaps they have no urge to acquire Machado, but they’re throwing their two cents in just to make things tougher on a division rival?

We obviously don’t know the answer to that. But again, the Orioles’ paranoia is well-documented. And probably well-merited at that.

Baltimore Orioles: The pitching conondrum

The Baltimore Orioles are a better team with Manny Machado. Anyone would be. But we should also remember that they’re a pretty potent offensive team without him as well. The likes of Davis, Trumbo, Jones, Schoop, and Mancini have pop in their bats.

The point is that the Orioles will have a solid offensive team without Machado. In fact, his absence could even give them some flexibility in the lineup. Granted their defense might suffer a bit, however you can’t really do anything about that. You just have to try to fill holes as best you can.

So they have the bats; it’s the arms that the Orioles need. And the real dilemma is whether or not they could trade for those arms without trading Machado. My personal opinion is that it’s tough to say, but if you’re going to trade Machado you should take the opportunity to pick up some pitching. And in saying that, I mean major league-ready pitching. At least one bona fide big time prospect that’s ready to come to the big leagues now (or who’s already had a cup of coffee).

If the Orioles trade Machado and they end up with a power-hitting prospect, that would be a mistake. While the guy might be a gifted hitter and all, that’s not what they need. They need pitching. It’s Dan Duquette’s job to convince teams that they need to be willing to part with prospects the caliber of what I described above in order to acquire Machado. That is if in fact he’s for sale.

Baltimore Orioles: Stop the Manny Machado sweepstakes

The Baltimore Orioles need to stop shopping Manny Machado – for now, at least. I’m still on record as saying that they should keep him and continually try to extend him. They’re a better team with him than without him. Then perhaps at the deadline if they’re out of contention and there’s no headway with an extension, you move him.

However I’m afraid that the Orioles are in the midst of getting hoodwinked if they aren’t careful. They don’t want Machado ending up with New York. And it seems that they’re willing to do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen. And that quite frankly should be to their credit.

This past week during the winter meetings one of the teams that were hot on Machado were the ChiSox. At some point a rumor came out that New York was already dealing with Chicago through back channels, saying that if they traded for Machado and were willing to flip him to them they’d get more than what they gave up to the O’s. To those who say the Orioles are simply being paranoid, does that not sound fishy?

It sounds an awful lot like New York back channeled to the Sox, who then turned around and tried to use that to their advantage. The narrative then became that the Sox weren’t putting the “absolute best” deal on the table, but they would guarantee the Orioles they wouldn’t turn around and flip Manny to the Bronx. Luckily for the Orioles, they didn’t bite.

And that tells you that Dan Duquette is doing his due diligence. However the fact is that this is almost similar to the Texeira sweepstakes a few years ago. In that case granted the Orioles were all but thrown in the middle of it against their will – simply because they were Texeira’s hometown team. But in this situation, Chicago’s trying to use the Orioles’ fears against them to offer less for a perennial all-star. And in turn, NY’s offering Chicago a deal that in theory would be better than that which Chicago was offering the Orioles.

Yes folks, it’s a convoluted web. But if the Orioles were smart they’d simply end the trade talks – for now. Again, my personal opinion is that they should try to extend Manny. But if they’re going to make a deal, why not do it next month when the lights of the winter meetings aren’t quite so bright? And again as I’ve said, the best way to keep Manny away from the Bronx is simply to trade him to a team that could in theory afford him.

Baltimore Orioles: Rule 5 picks, Michael Kelly, and Manny Machado

Before the Rule 5 draft even occurred yesterday, the Baltimore Orioles had already signed free agent pitcher Michael Kelly. Kelly was formerly of the San Diego Padres organization, but has never pitched at the big league level. However while the Orioles assigned him to triple-A Norfolk, he signed a major league contract.

As for the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles expanded their involvement this year, selecting three players. LHP Nestor Cortes was selected from the New York Yankees’ organization, as was RHP Jose Mesa. The Orioles also took RHP Pedro Araujo from the Chicago Cubs. Of those three, Cortes is the most likely to stick, and to eventually compete for a spot in the rotation. The Birds also lost six players in the minor league portion of the draft.

The big news around the team of course still involves Manny Machado, and the trade possibilities out there. Dan Duquette said that he was going home and would continue talking to teams over the weekend. The Orioles are justifiably doing everything they can to keep Machado out of the AL East – namely Boston or New York. And I’m on record as saying that you just don’t trade a player of Machado’s caliber in your own division.

The Orioles floated the idea of making a deal contingent on the receiving team signing Machado to an extension within 72 hours, which I thought was a good idea. Apparently that hasn’t been well received by teams interested in him. The idea of course being that if he were signed to an extension, that team wouldn’t turn around and trade him to a team like New York.

There were reports out of Chicago that the ChiSox were going to acquire him, and immediately flip him to the Bronx for a bigger haul than they gave away to the O’s. And that probably would have lit Birdland on fire, as the question would be why the Orioles couldn’t have gotten that haul for Machado but someone else could. And the answer is simple; because New York isn’t going to give up as much value to a division rival as they would to any run-of-the-mill team. It’s the same principle.

I’m not sure however that you can guarantee that Machado isn’t flipped to New York under your nose. I hate to say that, but odds are it’s true. What if a team agreed to that 72 hour rule, only to sign him to a five-year extension AND THEN flip him to New York (or Boston)? Odds are they’d probably then get a much bigger haul for Machado than the Orioles did, of course because he’d be under team control for the duration of that contract. So if the Orioles get too technical, it could potentially end up backfiring in their face.

The best way to keep him out of New York (at least until his current contract expires) is to trade him to a team that can probably afford to keep him. I wouldn’t think the ChiSox would be one of those teams. Regardless of the quality of prospects that they might throw the Orioles’ way, I suspect they’d be a candidate to turn around and flip Machado to someone else – and there’s already a rumor out there that a back channel to the Bronx exists. However if they trade him to someone such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, I see him playing there for the duration of the season.

The Orioles owe it to themselves and more importantly to their fans to get the best deal possible. However they owe the same due diligence to keep Machado away from their division rivals. Lots of people want to challenge that old line of thinking and argue that if New York offers the best deal they should take it. But even if it’s the best deal on paper, it’s still not the best deal. Because one of your own would then be playing against you 18 times. And when Machado’s making spectacular plays at third and robbing the likes of Jones and Davis of extra-base hits, it’ll certainly be real.