:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65535813/usa_today_13245459.0.jpg)
Good morning, Birdland!
Oh yeah, I can feel the heat coming off of that Hot Stove! The World Series is here, there is a chill in the air, Christmas cookies are at the grocery store and that all means that free agency is nearly upon us. Woooooo!
Except it does not matter that much here in Baltimore. The Orioles will sign someone. They may even sign a few someones, under the radar guys who have yet to tap into potential that may or may not exist.
Even still, free agency is kind of fun. Big money gets handed out. The dynamics of the league can shift in an instant. International slot bonuses are tossed around willy nilly. It is anarchy!
As always, MLB Trade Rumors is helpful in times like this. Here is their list of pitchers and hitters who have elected free agency so far. There are some familiar names (Dan Straily, anyone?) but none of them are particularly exciting. What may be more interesting to look for is how Mike Elias approaches the trade market. Now that he knows the Orioles minor league system a bit better, he could be willing to deal a prospect or two that the market regards better that he does.
Links & Notes
Gilmartin, Peterson and Sucre enter free agency - MASNSports.com
This post also mentions that Mike Wright Jr. is also headed for free agency. Somewhere, Dan Duquette picked up the phone to call Wright’s agent. It’s a natural reflex. But then he realized that he wouldn’t actually be able to sign him and got very sad.
Mike Elias’ drafting efforts remain evident on Astros’ World Series roster - Baltimore Sun
If Mike Elias can bring all of the baseball knowledge that has made the Astros into a juggernaut while also leaving the apparent misogyny and complete lack of empathy back in Houston then we are going to have a very nice time. So far, that seems to be the case, but the Astros latest actions do cast a shadow over everyone recently associated with the organization.
Offseason Plan: Catching Position - Birds Watcher
In Chance Sisco, Pedro Severino and Austin Wynns the Orioles have three major league options behind the plate. Severino is the most well-rounded of the trio. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them add a veteran to the mix at some point, who then spends most of the season down in Norfolk.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
It is the birthday of just one former Oriole. Vern Stephens, an infielder, played in 104 games for the O’s between 1954 and ‘55 and was born on this day in 1920. He was better known as a seven-time All-Star with the St. Louis Browns and Boston Red Sox before joining the Birds.
1923 - Babe Ruth plays a playoff game as a member of the New York Giants. Ruth’s Giants beat the Orioles 9-0 on this day.
1998 - Former Orioles manager Davey Johnson takes the same job with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He would spend just two season in L.A., finishing with an overall record of 163-161 before he was fired.