Monday Bird Droppings: The virtual winter meetings are here

Happy Monday, Camden Chatters! Are you getting excited for the winter meetings? Just kidding, there probably isn’t anything to get excited about. For one, it’s virtual, so we won’t even get to read the Tweets of beat writers sharing their inside jokes about when they ran into each other in the hotel lobby. And for another, it’s the Orioles. We know better than to expect any earth shaking news.

But still, at least there will be something happening this week before the sport shuts down for the holidays. I’m looking forward to even the smallest of Orioles news. Minor league deals? I want them! Rule 5 draft? Bring it on! Give me something to think about other than the long cold winter and the global pandemic.

The Orioles, for their part, put out this vague infographic about what we can expect to hear about this week:

So I guess that means we can expect to hear something about player development today? What we’d hear, I haven’t an idea. We’ll find out together! Then later in the week it looks like we’ll get to see the promo schedule for the year, which strikes me as odd. It’s hard to imagine the world being in a place where the Orioles are inviting the first 20,000 fans to get their Anthony Santander t-shirt.

Links

Inbox: Who will replace Iggy at shortstop? - MLB.com
A valid question!

Sharing some questions and curiosities - School of Roch
Roch shares a bunch of questions going into the 2020 season. They're definitely the same kinds of questions most fans would probably have, although I don't personally think John Means will ever a a "true No.1 starter." I'd love to be wrong!

Sporcle Quiz of the Evening: Orioles 25+ HRs - Lone Star Ball
It's weird to me that this is on a Rangers blog, but if you're looking to test your knowledge of Orioles dingers, check it out. This also includes the Browns, but you have my permission not to count those against your score if you can't guess them.

Birthdays and History

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have two Orioles birthday buddies. Outfielder Rich Coggins, who appeared in 239 games with the Orioles from 1972-74, turns 70 years old today. And Hal Smith, who started his 10-year career with the Orioles from 1955-56, was born on this day in 1930. Hal Smith passed away earlier this year.

On this day in 1977, the Orioles and Expos made a six-player trade. The Orioles sent pitchers Rudy May, Randy Miller, and Bryn Smith to the Expos for Don Stanhouse, Gary Roenicke, and Joe Kerrigan. Not a bad trade, even if I’ve never heard of Joe Kerrigan.