Wednesday’s Bird Droppings: Where it’s pretty quiet in Birdland

Good morning, Birdland!

Was the first full day of the Mike Elias packed with enough action for you? The Orioles new shot-caller has almost certainly been busy making changes that we can’t see. The major league team is not in a position to add big salaries or make blockbuster trades. It wouldn’t make any sense.

Instead, Elias is hopefully pulling the strings behind the scenes; calling potential managers and staff members, inquiring about fringe players in other organizations and perhaps tapping into his international contacts to see if there is any way that the Orioles can spend the bonus slots they have available to them.

This is going to be a slow, methodical process. That may mean a “boring” winter” from the fan’s perspective, but if it pays off with another shot at an AL East crown in a few years it will be well worth it.

Links

More leftovers before Thanksgiving - MASN Sports
Roch recaps the Elias press conference once more and gives some analysis. He also mentions that things are going to be slow over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Orioles new GM is back in Houston with family. The next “big move” that happens may be the announcement of staff additions, like the rumored hiring of Sig Mejdal.

Miguel Tejada on Hall of Fame ballot for first time - Baltimore Sun
It is unlikely that Tejada gets voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. By most measures, he falls a bit short based on performance alone. On top of that, there are PED winds that swirl around his name. But being put on the ballot alone is somewhat of an honor and allows us to remember that Tejada was really, really good (‘02 AL MVP, two Silver Sluggers and six-time All-Star).

Orioles add Dillon Tate to 40-man roster, designate Engelb Vielma for assignment - Camden Chat
Elias is almost sure to make a few more 40-man moves by the time the winter meetings roll around. The club has a a handful of enticing young players that need to be protected from the Rule 5 draft and more than a couple of members of the current 40-man roster that are surplus to requirements.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

Rule 5 flop Jason García turns 26 today. He played in 21 games and posted a 4.25 with the 2015 O’s, but he is no longer in affiliated ball. Quintin Berry, best known as “Adam Jones’s friend” is 34. The outfielder appeared in 10 games for the O’s in 2014, serving mostly as a pinch runner. Finally, Mark Eichhorn celebrates his 58th. The relief pitcher made his way into 43 games for the ‘94 Birds and had some Richard Bleier-like production: 2.15 ERA, 35 strikeouts and 19 walks in 71 innings.

1977 - Eddie Murray is named AL Rookie of the Year. He slashed .283/.333/.470 with 27 home runs and 29 doubles in the first season of what would be a Hall-of-Fame career.