Saturday’s Bird Droppings: Where Birdland is getting nostalgic for Jonathan Schoop

Morning, Birdland!

It’s December, and that means it’s go time for MLB front offices. This is the month where a lot of action happens. The Winter Meetings are fast approaching, and the holidays typically serve as an unofficially deadline that many free agents like to use for inking a deal with their new club.

While the Orioles may sit out the bidding wars for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, they are still expected to be active. New GM Mike Elias has said the team will make a selection in the Rule 5 draft, and there is an assumption the team will add a veteran or two to the big league roster. Not to mention they still need to name a manager, farm director and director of scouting.

Links

Orioles dismiss farm director Graham - MLB.com
The names leaving the Orioles in recent weeks are big. But that’s what happens when a club hires a new general manager. That person gets to put their way of doing things in place. The O’s inability to churn out big league producers from their minor leagues is nothing new. Mike Elias will surely feel he can find someone more capable, or more willing to learn new tricks, than Brian Graham.

Brewers don’t offer 2B Jonathan Schoop contract after trade falls flat - ESPN
This trade was kind of a head-scratcher from the Brewers perspective when it happened. They had a crowded infield as it was, but added to it anyway. Jonathan Schoop played poorly in his new digs, and then his playing time evaporated as the Brewers kicked their playoff run into high gear. Should the Orioles try to sign him? I mean, they can give him a call, but bringing him back wouldn’t make much sense.

Orioles do not tender contracts to Caleb Joseph, Tim Beckham - Camden Chat
It wasn’t unexpected, but it’s still kind of a bummer. Caleb Joseph was only projected to make $1.7 million in 2019, and baby’s gotta eat. But he was pretty bad this past season and was likely the organization’s third-best catcher behind Chance Sisco and Austin Wynns. A club shouldn’t pay a Triple-A player that much money. Good luck, Caleb!

Do the Orioles go catcher with the No. 1 pick? - MASN Sports
This refers to the top choice in the amateur draft rather than next week’s Rule 5 draft. Whether the O’s go catcher or not is contingent on how much they like Oregon State’s Adley Rutschman. In short: he’s a beast who hit .408/.505/.628 for the Beavers last season.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

Jeff Tackett is the only former Oriole celebrating a birthday today. The catcher played in 135 games for the O’s across four seasons from 1991-1994. The now 53-year-old slashed .217/.300/.336 in his career.

1954 - The Orioles complete a massive 17-player deal with the Yankees. Bob Turley and Don Larsen head to New York. Baltimore adds Gene Woodling. The trade was announced back on November 17, but was not finished until this day.

1970 - Pat Dobson is acquired by the Orioles along with Tom Dukes in a trade with the Padres that sends Enzo Hernandez, Tom Phoebus, Al Severinsen and Fred Beene to San Diego.

1998 - Albert Belle signs a five-year, $65 million contract with the Orioles to become the game’s highest-paid player, but would only play two of those seasons after developing degenerative hip osteoarthritis and being forced into retirement.

2002 - Dave McNally dies at the age of 60 from lung cancer. He spent 13 years with the Orioles, won two World Series and finished in the top five of Cy Young voting three times.