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: Thanksgiving leftovers

Not much going on today in Birdland surrounding the Baltimore Orioles on the day after Thanksgiving. But that’s to be expected. Thanksgiving weekend is one of those times of year when most of us get the opportunity to take pause for awhile and remove ourselves from the normal grind of society. The O’s are no different.

Many of us partook in a grand Thanksgiving tradition yesterday of watching football while we ate our meals. Now granted while I love watching football on Thanksgiving, I’ve always thought it was a bit presumptuous of the NFL to basically tell players that they have to give up their holidays so as to entertain others. But the fact is that the entertainment industry thrives on holidays.

Nevertheless, none of us can say that we’ve ever experienced Thanksgiving without football. It’s part of the deal. It’s similar in a way to what MLB does for Memorial Day. Generally we see some form of a triple-header on ESPN, with games at 1 PM, 4 PM, and 7 PM – usually. Heck ESPN2 might even have a night cap at 10:00 as well.

I’m not sure that any holiday goes hand-in-hand with a sport like Thanksgiving and football. But perhaps there’s a bit of a parallel there. I suppose the difference is that most of the league plays every day in baseball. In the case of the NFL, most of the league plays every Sunday. So they’re actually taking games off of Sunday and putting them on Thursday.

I’ve always thought of Thanksgiving and Memorial Day as the great American holidays. They bookend unofficial beginnings of summer and winter, and they’re roughly six months apart. They’re identified by their menu’s, turkey and BBQ, and they’re generally spent with family and/or friends. Not to mention that two great American sports are generally celebrated on these two holidays.

Baltimore Orioles trade for Jaycob Brugman

The Baltimore Orioles’ roster got bigger yesterday when they made a deal with Oakland to bring outfielder Jaycob Brugman to the organization. The Birds traded a player to be named later, or cash, to acquire the 25-year old lefty outfielder.

As is generally the case, this isn’t a move that will drop any jaws. However one thing that does make Brugman stand out is the fact that he has a career .344 OBP. While that’s only in the minor leagues, it’s something of significant appeal to an Oriole team that has struggled for some time to be anything more than a station-to-station team.

I suspect that Brugman will replace the likes of Seth Smith on the roster and in the lineup. The one difference is that Brugman’s a lefty. That should give the O’s a bit more flexibility in terms of their lineup on various days.

That aside, don’t expect much more in the way of news from the organization this week. Obviously today is a holiday, and the Warehouse offices are closed for the remainder of the week/weekend. That aside, from mine to yours, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Baltimore Orioles acquire Konner Wade from Colorado

The Baltimore Orioles sent international signing bonus slot money to the Colorado Rockies yesterday in exchange for minor league prospect Konner Wade. Neither team has formally announced the trade, however according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports, the deal is done. Wade is a RHP, who has a 4.05 ERA over five seasons in the Colorado organization.

This is another one of those “depth moves” by Dan Duquette and the Birds, which in theory shouldn’t make many waves. In fact, many folks are going to be more upset by the fact that they sent international signing bonus money away than are going to remember this trade in time. However just keep Konner Wade’s name in the back of your head, as he may be pitching at Camden Yards at some point next year.

This also might be a moot issue, as Wade is eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 draft next month. That would be my only question in terms of this trade, as the Orioles may well have just sent international slot money away for a player who will only be in the organization for a couple of weeks. That would be less than ideal.

Nevertheless, Wade is the former college teammate of Joey Richard at the University of Arizona. So there is a familiar face in the organization from his standpoint. Time will tell where this goes, if anywhere.

Baltimore Orioles: Youth movement in the dugout

The Baltimore Orioles are set at manager for 2018. As I wrote yesterday, it’s what comes after that which is in question. But there were two very high profile names who formerly were with two very high profile teams on the market this off season in Joe Girardi and John Farrell. Neither appear to be destined to manage in 2018.

This is shocking to me, as both of these men have won world championships. Farrell was actually fired, and Girardi’s contract wasn’t renewed. So obviously someone in those organizations wanted to go in a different direction for some reason. You can also throw Dusty Baker‘s name into this discussion, formerly of the Washington Nationals.

All three of those men are proven managers. And they’re all unemployed. Yet teams opted to go with younger managers in their searches this year, as I wrote yesterday. Washington and Boston both have rookie managers, and New York is yet to name a new skipper. But it appears that they’re going with the youth movement also.

Some might question why this is a surprise to me. I’ve always believed in veteran leadership in all aspects of life. I prefer the swift and sure arms of experience as opposed to someone who’s never proven himself at that level. And that’s not a sports thing for me, it’s a life thing. I recognize that at some point someone has to take a risk on a guy – I’d just rather it be someone else.

I just find it interesting that the movement in baseball seems to be that it’s fashionable to hire guys like A.J. Hinch, who are young and inexperienced. Now obviously in that case Hinch won the World Series. He wasn’t a rookie manager this past year, but he was a few years ago when they hired him. But why is this happening?

Anyone who works in the business world nowadays knows that many big companies are looking at ways that different generations can work together. You know, Millennials, Baby Boomers, and Gen Xers (such as myself). Baseball may not be much different in that regard. Most players at this point are Millennials, with a few younger Gen Xers still in the mix.

And I suspect that front offices are now seeing things from the perspective of how a manager relates to his players. That’s important for sure, but is it the single most important thing? I would argue that it isn’t. X’s and O’s are, which is why I say that I prefer experienced managers.

Ultimately, I’m not in charge of who manages any team. I’m just a writer. But it just seems to me that the steady arm of experience should mean more in some of these managerial searches. But what do I know?!

 

Baltimore Orioles: Only half a season to establish themselves?

The Baltimore Orioles go into 2018 with both manager Buck Showalter and General Manager Dan Duquette in the final year of their contracts. Both men signed extensions following the historic 2012 season. Those extensions both expire after next season.

It goes without saying that one would assume that the organization is feeling both Showalter and Duquette out to see what they’re thinking in terms of whether or not they would want a new contract. Of the two, I suspect that Showalter is the most likely to return. But you never know. He also might pop into Duquette’s spot if Duquette isn’t interested in returning. There are a lot of variables.

And yes, that could affect how the 2018 season plays out. If it appears that Showalter specifically is not likely to return to the dugout, the current team might only get a half year look-see. If at the trade deadline they’re struggling and appear to be out of the playoff race, I would expect the O’s to sell en masse.

The idea being that you’re going to have a major change at the top come 2019, and in bringing in a new manager you might as well have a whole slew of new players. And young players at that. Of late, the trend in MLB is that younger managers are getting the nod over proven talent. I’m not saying that I agree with that, because I don’t. But that’s where the industry is going.

So would the Orioles bring in a young manager to succeed Showalter if in fact this ended up being his last year in the dugout? Again, I’m not one to go with unproven talent anywhere. In anything, I always prefer the strong arm of experience as opposed to someone who’s never done the job. All I can say is that the trend has been to hire younger managers. And that’s happened several times this off season, while it appears that names like Girardi and Farrell will be sitting out the 2018 season.

At the end of the day, it’s really up to this team how long they’re together. If they have a great first half of the season and are right in the thick of the playoff chase, what I wrote above will be totally irrelevant. And that’s what most people in the organization would prefer. But if the perfect storm of Showalter not returning and things not going well early happens to occur, it wouldn’t surprise me if they sell off and go young.

Incidentally, my prediction is that Buck Showalter signs a two-year contract extension. After that time is up, again my prediction is that he either retires from baseball or heads up to the front office. As for Dan Duquette, it wouldn’t surprise me if he leaves the organization after his contract is up. But nobody knows anything for sure in either case.

Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado and attendance

What happens to Baltimore Orioles’ attendance if they fail to re-sign Manny Machado? I can tell you what happens, but it won’t be pretty. Perhaps unfortunately, sports fans now need a reason to go to the games other than just seeing the team.

I say perhaps unfortunately because in fairness nobody can tell someone how to spend their money. The Orioles trotted no-name teams out for years. Not only did they lose, but they were devoid of any star power. Sure they had fan favorites such as Markakis, Roberts, and Mora, but none of those are Machado, Jones, Schoop, or Davis.

Incidentally, this is also a different era from even that not-so-distant past. The world moves at a much quicker pace now, and yes people need an incentive to come out to the ballpark. The best incentive you can give them is a winning team, and the best way to create a winning team is to have great players. That’s another reason why Manny Machado should remain and Oriole.

Look down the pike if you want further confirmation regarding attendance. When I was a kid the Washington Bullets had no stars. And I mean none. They had journeyman players who played hard and fought to win games, but they were devoid of star power – until they ended up with Chris Webber and Juwan Howard.

Nevertheless the Bullets’ marketing department knew they were going to struggle to sell tickets. So they’d take out full page ads in the Washington Post and Baltimore Sun to the effect of “come see the Bullets take on Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, or Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks!” Basically, come see the stars of the NBA right here at the Capital Centre! And it worked…

…when those teams would come to town the arena would be packed – with those teams’ fans. Believe me, I was at some of those games…I know! Do the Orioles really want to have to resort to that?

I’m not going to suggest that $400 million (just to throw a number out there for Manny Machado) isn’t a lot of money. However Machado’s body of work on the field speaks for itself. Furthermore he’ll generate more ticket sales in theory, along with merchandise. But if he goes elsewhere, do the Orioles really want to risk having to see the machine that is Manny Machado turned against them?

Baltimore Orioles interested in Alex Cobb

The Baltimore Orioles apparently have an interest in RHP Alex Cobb, formerly of the Tampa Rays. This according to MLB Trade Rumors. Cobb has a career .350 ERA, a win percentage of .578, and gives up only 19 homers per year on average. All of this over six years in the big leagues.

Cobb has also been an Oriole-killer throughout that time period. Over six years, he’s only surrendered six home runs to Oriole bats. As a team, the O’s have hit .237 against Cobb when they’ve faced him. He also has a career .750 win percentage at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

The Orioles may have identified a pitcher who’s played very well against them, AND one who according to the numbers would also pitch well in their home park. Now that’s only over seven games at Oriole Park, however that’s more games than he’s appeared at any other park in baseball over his career other than Tropicana Field. He’s also appeared at Fenway seven times.

Obviously the catch here is how much it’s going to potentially cost. MLB Trade Rumors didn’t list what Cobb is hoping to get in the way of a contract. Certainly we’re not talking Scherzer or Verlander-type money, however Cobb’s looking at a decent chunk of change wherever he ends up.

Cobb would certainly be an upgrade, and perhaps along with the likes of Bundy he could help to anchor a rotation that had no stability in 2017. That would be the hope, anyway. My personal opinion is that the Orioles should take the plunge and go for him. He’s familiar with the division, and you remove a potential threat from a division rival and add him to your roster. It would be a win-win.

Baltimore Orioles sign Ryan O’Rourke

The Baltimore Orioles yesterday signed former Minnesota pitcher Ryan O’Rourke to a minor league deal. This is hardly a move that will make big waves on the free agent trackers, however O’Rourke is a southpaw. And the Orioles were looking to bolster their bullpen in that regard.

O’Rourke didn’t appear at the big league level this past season, which for him was plagued with injuries. He underwent surgery on his elbow back in May, which kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season. So in a sense he’s a reconstructive project for the Orioles. However at 29, he’s also in theory in the prime of his career – if you can say that at this point.

However O’Rourke has only appeared in 54 games at the big league level with Minnesota, over two seasons. In that time he has a 4.98 ERA. But on the flip side, he’s held hitters to a .198 average. So one would think he has a decent upside.

In the past I would have said that this was a “depth move,” and in fact it does have those markings. However as we all know, guys the Orioles sign to a minor league contract are just as likely to end up in the big leagues as anyone else. It’ll be interesting to see if O’Rourke gets an extended look in spring training. One way or the other, don’t be surprised to see a decent amount of him at Camden Yards in 2018.

Baltimore Orioles should consider trading Zach Britton

There have been numerous reports over the past 24 hours that the Baltimore Orioles are once again shopping closer Zach Britton. Count me as thinking that at the very leas tthey should consider trading him. For the right deal, that is.

Apparently the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs are at least two of the teams who are interested. However regardless of who’s interested or not, the deal still has to be right for the Orioles to consider parting with a commodity like Britton. In other words, they need to fleece someone.

In the past I’ve used the term gut someone’s farm system. I’m not saying that here, because that would be above and beyond fleecing someone. I mean if you can get away with gutting someone’s farm system, go for it. But odds are you won’t. Not for a guy who pitches one inning, is in the final year of his contract, and went to the DL twice in 2017.

However dealing Britton could well help the Orioles to warm themselves over for 2018. I would say that the Birds should look for at least one top pitching prospect for someone of Britton’s caliber. Again, some will say I’m over-valuing Britton. But what did I say above? The deal has to be right.

If you can get a pitching prospect who’s either ready or close to being ready to go to the big leagues, do it. The Orioles are a team who needs pitching, and desperately at that. This would not only be a way to get some, but also a cheap way to do it.

Furthermore, while last year the bullpen was overused and thus broke down, we know the strength of the Oriole bullpen. I think the likes of Brach would slide into the closer’s role just fine. Losing Britton would be a loss for sure, but the bullpen would still be strong. And perhaps the starting rotation would get stronger as well.

Baltimore Orioles: Regarding Chris Davis at third

On Monday I floated the idea of having Chris Davis play third base starting in 2019 if the likes of Machado are elsewhere. This would allow Trey Mancini to slide into his normal position of first base. It would also allow lots of Machado’s would-be salary to be put into pitching for the ballclub. Needless to say, it’s an option.

The best answer for the Orioles is to have Machado guarding the hot corner on Opening Day, 2019. This leaves Davis at first, and Mancini in the outfield. However could an idea like this combined with outfield depth put the Birds in a bit of a stronger position from which to negotiate?

The Orioles have guys like Flaherty, Trumbo, Gentry, et al, all of whom can play the outfield. So removing Mancini from there, a spot which wasn’t natural to him to begin with, wouldn’t exactly create a hole. If anything it would help plug one. Both Mancini and Davis are first baseman. But Davis is also a decent third baseman. He’s not Manny, but he’s serviceable.

Point being that all of this might well come into the Orioles’ thinking when the time comes. Heck, it could come sooner than we think due to a scenario like this. Might the O’s consider “renting” Machado out for prospects knowing that they have their bases covered (no pun intended)?

The answer to that is anything is possible. And we’re going to find out as we get closer to February.