World Champions 1983, 1970, 1966

American League Champions 1983, 1979, 1971, 1970, 1969, 1966 American League East Division Champions 2014, 1997, 1983, 1979, 1974, 1973, 1971, 1970, 1969

American League Wild Card 2016, 2012, 1996

Friday, February 10, 2017

Columns:

As he nears his prime, what more can the Orioles expect from Manny Machado? The Sun

2/10

Orioles add young right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from New York Mets The Sun 2/10

Nevada sportsbook expects Orioles to win fewer games in 2017 The Sun 2/10

Q&A with MLB Network host and Orioles fan Lauren Shehadi The Sun 2/10

O's acquire righty Ynoa from Mets for cash MLB.com 2/10

Orioles' 2017 vision is to stay the course MLB.com 2/9

Orioles acquire Ynoa from Mets MASNsports.com 2/10

MASN to air seven Orioles spring training games MASNsports.com 2/10

Machado on playing shortstop in the WBC and more MASNsports.com 2/10

After RBI-less season, Caleb Joseph welcomes a fresh start MASNsports.com 2/10

Orioles acquire RHP Gabriel Ynoa from Mets ESPN.com 2/10

Orioles' Five Biggest Offseason Highlights PressBoxOnline.com 2/10

Is Dan Duquette's 2017 Orioles Roster Short One Important Piece? PressBoxOnline.com

2/10

Orioles Acquire RHP Gabriel Ynoa From The Mets CBS Baltimore 2/10

Orioles add Gabriel Ynoa and designate Pena — what these moves mean

BaltimoreBaseball.com 2/10

Tap-In Question: What are the best and worst promotional giveaways in Orioles’ history?

BaltimoreBaseball.com 2/10

Baseball: Gardner reliever Oliver Drake has plenty to build on for Orioles telegram.com

2/8

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-as-he-nears-his-prime-what-more-can-the-

orioles-expect-from-manny-machado-20170210-story.html

As he nears his prime, what more can the Orioles expect

from Manny Machado?

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun

February 10, 2017

In an offseason when he was coming off another career year and showing that no set of

expectations was too high, the most conversation around Orioles third baseman Manny

Machado seemed to be about whether the team should trade him.

It’s a bit incongruous from a here-and-now standpoint, given how much he’s meant to the team

now and the likelihood that he could reach unfathomable heights in the two years of club control

remaining. But such is the Orioles’ situation, where assuring the future to some is better than

fortifying the present, and Machado’s present got some short shrift.

But entering spring training, it’s worth looking at just what he’s accomplished so far and what

that could mean for the ensuing season.

After batting .294 with 37 home runs and an .876 OPS last season, Machado has now compiled

23 wins above replacement (WAR), according to FanGraphs, in his five seasons, though it’s

important to note that his 50-game debut in 2012 and his 82-game season in 2014 depress that

total a bit.

It used to be accepted that players hit their prime around age 27 and carry it just into their early

30s, but with major league debuts coming so early, the adjustment periods are happening earlier

in careers and a player’s best years arrive earlier. As such, hopes are high for Machado in his

age-24 season this year.

According to FanGraphs’ Steamer projection, Machado is projected to be worth 6.5 WAR this

year, second among position players only to Angels outfielder Mike Trout. Baseball Prospectus’

PECOTA system is lower on Machado, projecting him for 4.8 WAR by their own methodology,

though some of that comes from their placing him at shortstop instead of third base for part of

the season, where his defense isn’t as impactful. They also project him for just 25 home runs.

And yet, they went through the entire league and picked the best player at every age, and the age-

24 selection was Machado over the likes of Bryce Harper and Mookie Betts.

So even when there are reasons for the numbers not to look favorably on him — like the rest of

the Orioles, a free swinging approach doesn’t translate well into many algorithms, no matter how

hard or far you hit it when you do connect.

Machado’s parallels with his buddy and idol Alex Rodriguez may never completely prove true

on the baseball field, but as long as he stays in the same stratosphere, these next couple years of

club control for the Orioles could be special. Through his own age-23 season, Rodriguez had

25.5 wins above replacement — which averages out to a half-win per season better than

Machado.

And this stage of his career is when Rodriguez did some of his best work, posting WARs of 9.5,

7.8 and 10 in his ages 24-26 seasons, respectively. A season or two like that would not only help

Machado break into the next level of MVP voting, but be a huge boon for an Orioles team who

needs that type of production and then some to get near a championship with a team that’s built

to win one now.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-add-young-right-hander-gabriel-

ynoa-from-new-york-mets-20170210-story.html

Orioles add young right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from New

York Mets

The Orioles added a young pitcher to their stocks on Friday, purchasing New York Mets right-

hander Gabriel Ynoa for cash on the eve of spring training.

“Gabriel Ynoa is young, strong, durable and talented,” executive vice president Dan

Duquette said in a statement. “Our scouts feel he can develop into a major league starting pitcher

by developing a consistent breaking pitch. We look forward to his contributions to the Orioles

this season and beyond.”

Ynoa, 23, made his major league debut with the Mets last season and compiled a 6.38 ERA in 10

appearances (three starts) over 18 1/3 innings. Ynoa struck out 17 batters but walked seven and

allowed 26 hits in his first stint in the big leagues.

Ynoa, at age 20, went 15-4 with a 2.72 ERA in his full-season debut at Class-A Savannah in

2013 to put himself on the map, and was added to the Mets’ 40-man roster after a 2014 season

that saw him post a 4.07 ERA in 25 starts between High-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton.

After posting a 3.90 ERA for Binghamton in 2015, Ynoa spent most of 2016 at Triple-A Las

Vegas, where he went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA before being summoned to the majors on Aug. 13.

His purchase adds to the Orioles cast of pitchers they hope can make the next step and establish

themselves as major league starters in the coming years. With five starters returning from the

rotation that ended the season well in 2016, Ynoa joins the likes of Tyler Wilson, Logan Verrett,

Mike Wright, and Jayson Aquino as a starter with major league history who the club will hope

grows into a bigger role in 2017.

Ynoa will have one minor league option available to the Orioles, and took the place of catcher

Francisco Pena on the 40-man roster. Pena was designated for assignment on the eve of spring

training in a move that all but ends any conjecture that Pena, who has no remaining minor league

options, could have beaten out incumbent Caleb Joseph for the backup catcher job behind starter

Welington Castillo.

The Orioles have a week to trade Pena or place him on waivers before he can be assigned to the

minors.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baltimore-sports-blog/bal-nevada-sportsbook-expects-

orioles-to-win-fewer-games-in-2017-20170210-story.html

Nevada sportsbook expects Orioles to win fewer games in

2017

By Jonas Shaffer / The Baltimore Sun

February 10, 2017

Stop me if you've heard this before: The Orioles are not expected to live up to last season's

heights.

One year after the club flouted predictions of a last-place finish in the American League East and

came achingly close to the AL Division Series, a Nevada sportsbook has the Orioles falling short

of their 89-win mark in 2016.

Reno's Atlantis Casino released projected win totals for this baseball season, the first sportsbook

to do so, and there's no "Orioles Magic" expected in Baltimore this year.

The over-under for wins is 84.5 — behind the Boston Red Sox's 90.5 and Toronto Blue Jays'

86.5, and ahead of the New York Yankees' 83.5 and Tampa Bay Rays' 75.5.

The World Series champion Chicago Cubs lead the way with 95.5, while the Washington

Nationals are fourth overall (90.5).

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-q-a-with-mlb-network-host-and-orioles-

fan-lauren-shehadi-20170210-story.html

Q&A with MLB Network host and Orioles fan Lauren

Shehadi

By Jon Meoli / The Baltimore Sun

February 10, 2017

Every weekday morning during the baseball season, MLB Network’s Lauren Shehadi co-hosts

“MLB Central” and, along with the rest of the cast, brings a bit of fun and levity to what can be a

long and tiresome baseball season.

And she does it, hide it as she must, with a special interest in the Orioles, the team she grew up

adoring. A native of McLean, Va., who came of age in the heyday of the late-'90s Orioles, kept

her allegiances in Baltimore when the Nationals moved into Washington and still views the game

with an eye toward what’s happening with the Orioles.

As she approaches her five-year anniversary at MLB Network, which she’ll celebrate Feb. 13,

Shehadi spoke with The Baltimore Sun about how her career has grown at the blossoming

network, why “MLB Central” works so well, her Orioles fandom, and what the future might hold

for her and her favorite ballclub.

Jon Meoli: With your five-year anniversary at MLB Network approaching, it’s such a growing

and more relevant place every year. What has it been like to grow along with the network the

way you have over these last five years?

Lauren Shehadi: These sports-owned channels have really changed the game and how viewers

watch. If you’re a baseball fan, there’s no better place than MLB Network. They have everything

from past seasons’ games to what we look at, the future. We do WBCcoverage, so it’s really just

the best place, and the network has grown since I’ve been here. I’ve been here five years, and in

the beginning, we didn’t have the access we have now. Now, we’re in more homes, more

viewers. The viewers have grown along with us. it’s been a fun ride.

JM: Having had a chance to watch your show a lot last year, I’m wondering as a broadcast

professional, is it a challenge to balance the fun you all have with the fact that you’re on TV and

there still needs to be some kind of structure?

LS: Of course, but it’s a morning show. In the morning, you turn on the TV and you want your

highlights, you want your information, but you also want it to be light. You’re having coffee. It’s

not the nine o’clock, 10 o’clock hard baseball or news that you want. You want the game

delivered to you, but you want it in a slightly different way. I think on "MLB Central," we’ve

done a really great job of that, incorporating and showcasing them in a different way, whether

it’s a game, or we’ll have a couple of the Orioles, a couple of the Nationals on and we’ll play

Pictionary with them. When you see Chris Davis or you see Bryce Harper and they’re playing

Pictionary and they’re terrible drawers, it’s just a fun way to talk about baseball with baseball

players. It’s not just slamming facts down your throat.

JM: And I don’t want to call it the last step, but as professionals, is it nice to know that what

you’re doing is resonating? The players come in and know what the show’s vibe is because

they’re watching too?

LS: Totally, and they know the segments, too. I think we spoke with Matt Holliday, and he said,

“I want to do ‘A Word With…’ ” That’s one of the segments we have on our show, and it’s

called A Word With [Lauren Shehadi], it’s 10 questions and you have to answer the questions in

one word. But it’s not questions like who was your favorite player growing up. That can be on

there, but it’s mostly like, if you had one snack to eat for the rest of your life, what would you

eat? If it’s Josh Donaldson or Jose Bautista, you want to know that. You want to know that. Or

what’s your celebrity crush? I want to know Kris Bryant’s celebrity crush. That’s cool. It’s not

just how many home runs did you hit. It’s a different aspect. So when the players know that and

the games we play and get into it, it kind of validates us.

JM: I’m sure Kris Bryant’s celebrity crush wants to know who she is, too. But shifting gears, you

grew up near Washington, D.C., before the Nationals came into town. How does one stay as an

Orioles fan when there’s a new team in your backyard? That seems like a free pass to switch, but

you didn’t take it.

LS: I didn’t take it. But if there was that World Series and the Orioles weren’t in it, I would

actually root for the Nationals as well. I grew up an Orioles fan, with my dad watching baseball

on the couch. When Cal Ripken Jr. broke the streak, that was really the moment I became a

baseball fan. Here he is, he had kind of a blue-collar type attitude but his star was larger than life.

I remember when he broke the streak, it was kind of a who’s who. Bill Clinton and Al Gore at

Camden Yards, and from our perspective as fans, we knew he was going to break the streak, so

we wanted tickets to the game he was going to break the streak in.

But there’s rain, there’s weather. That happens, so I remember my dad saying, “We need to get

the game before, the game that we think, and the game after.” But that single-handedly made me

a sports fan. Brady Anderson, I remember I was in left field and he threw a ball up. He made eye

contact with 20 people, but I was convinced it was me. Brady Anderson was staring at me from

my perspective. He wasn’t, of course, he was throwing the ball in the stand. But I loved the way

the Orioles played when I was a young girl.

JM: So you got to be at that record-setting game?

LS: Yes, we were there. We were there, and I remember the lap around the stadium and 22-

minute standing ovation. Who gets a 22-minute standing ovation? But he was like a boy. My

favorite moment at the network was when I got to interview him twice. The first time, it was on

the phone and my first question, I remember asking, does that moment feel like forever ago? It

feels like it was yesterday. And he said, “I’m humbled to be a part of it.” I started thinking, a part

of it? You were it. It’s my greatest sports memory of all time.

JM: I know that you have to put your allegiances aside…

LS: I try.

JM: ... but what was it like during the playoffs this year where every game you put on television,

everyone talking about those games referred back to how the Orioles lost in crushing, crushing

fashion. Did that kind of get old after a while?

LS: Of course. We’re all fans at the root of it. My co-host Matt Vasgersian is an A’s fan, Mark

DeRosa is a Cardinals fan, he also likes the Braves. And I grew up in D.C. so I’m an Orioles and

Nationals fan. But everyone asks you about it. Everyone here knows your allegiances. We’re in a

competitive environment here at MLB Network, so everyone knows you’re an Orioles fan and

just comes in your office every day. But watching them play is a treat. I know Buck Showalter,

watching him move in the postseason, he’s like a mastermind. I know it didn’t work out in the

end and there were some question marks surrounding that choice, but we’re not in his shoes. It’s

very impossible to sit here and say we wouldn’t have done the same thing. But he’s incredible

and his track record and resume proves it.

JM: In the moment, what were you thinking when you kept seeing Zach Britton not in the game?

LS: I kept thinking they’re going to go to him, because he kept going to the phone. But I know,

and we talked to him afterwards, and Buck said I thought I needed more. I thought I had more

innings, and I understand that. Because once you use him, there was nowhere to go. So I

understand that, and he was just doing the best he can. He’s fantastic. No one can argue that.

JM: Now here’s a two-parter to end it. You’re celebrating five years soon. What are the next five

years at MLB Network going to look like for you?

LS: I love to grow, and MLB Central is really in its infancy. It’s only in its third year. I really

want to see, and what we have the liberty of with three hours in the show is time. We don’t have

to rush things. My biggest goal, I think, would be to get behind the scenes with the players and

show them for who they are off the field. We do a good job with that, but in the offseason, some

of the players have ranches and some of them go overseas and do charity work. Tracking them

and telling their stories is a goal for the next five years.

JM: And what about the Orioles for the next five years?

LS: Oh my gosh. They need to win now, Jon. They need to win now. Am I desperate? They need

to win now.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/215680356/orioles-trade-for-right-hander-gabriel-ynoa/

O's acquire righty Ynoa from Mets for cash

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

February 10, 2017

BALTIMORE -- Looking to add pitching depth before Spring Training, the Orioles did just that

on Friday, acquiring right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the Mets in exchange for cash

considerations.

Ynoa was ranked as the Mets' No. 18 prospect by MLBPipeline.com. The 23-year-old made his

Major League debut last season and pitched in 10 games, including three starts. He had a 6.38

ERA and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings. Ynoa went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA over 154 1/3 innings

in 25 starts at Triple-A.

"Gabe Ynoa is young, strong, durable and talented," Orioles executive vice president of baseball

operations Dan Duquette said. "Our scouts feel he can develop into a Major League starting

pitcher by developing a consistent breaking pitch. We look forward to his contributions to the

Orioles this season and beyond."

To make room for Ynoa on the 40-man roster, Baltimore designated catcher Francisco Pena for

assignment.

The 27-year-old Pena batted .200 (8-for-40) with a home run and three RBIs in 14 games with

the Orioles last season, his first with the team and third in the Majors. Pena is third on the O's

catching depth chart, and the move all but solidifies that Caleb Joseph will back upWelington

Castillo.

http://m.orioles.mlb.com/news/article/215585112/orioles-aim-for-consistent-familiar-roster/

Orioles' 2017 vision is to stay the course

By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com

February 9, 2017

With Spring Training fast approaching, MLB.com will take a look at a different aspect of this

year's Orioles squad each day this week. Today's topic -- What's the vision?

BALTIMORE -- If the 2017 Orioles look awfully familiar, it's by design.

Over the past two offseasons, executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has

made a point to retain the club's free agents, making the group that will head to Sarasota, Fla., in

a few days awfully familiar to fans and one another.

"It's looked like a couple times that I've been here that we were going to lose some important

guys," said setup man Darren O'Day, who re-signed last winter. "Continuity is always good.

Guys are known factors, so we know what they can do…it's nice to have the same guys every

day. You are together a lot over those 6 months. Kinda nice to have some known quantities."

This winter's big move was Mark Trumbo, a signing that keeps the heart of the Orioles' order

intact and ensures Trumbo and Chris Davis -- last winter's big re-sign -- will again form a pretty

formidable pair.

The infield returns and the same starting rotation -- minus Yovani Gallardo, who was traded to

Seattle on Jan. 6 -- will be relied upon to build on an improved second half. There are some new

additions: Gallardo's deal brought outfielder Seth Smith, and the O's signed catcher Wellington

Castillo. For the most part though, this 2017 team -- with a large chunk of free agents at the end

of this year or next -- is anxious to get back to the postseason and fulfill some unfinished

business.

"I think any time you get close to something with a good group, you want to see it through a little

bit more, at least," Trumbo said of an Orioles team that lost in extra innings in the American

League Wild Card Game. "I think the team and the season we put together last year was really

incredible. We ultimately didn't get as far as we wanted, but when you look at the bulk of what

we did, it was quite impressive."

The front office hopes keeping the O's core intact -- including a solid bullpen -- will keep them

competitive as the window to win is now.

A large amount of their success will rely on the rotation, though the Orioles should benefit from

having a full season of Dylan Bundy, and the further maturation of guys like Kevin

Gausman and Chris Tillman.

"We're still a middleweight in a heavyweight division," Duquette told fans at FanFest, "but we're

still trying to slug it out every night."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/orioles-acquire-ynoa-from-mets.html

Orioles acquire Ynoa from Mets

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 10, 2017

The Orioles made a move today to improve their pitching depth while also eliminating a catcher

from the 40-man roster. Depth added and subtracted.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired 23-year-old right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the

Mets for cash considerations. Catcher Francisco Pena was designated for assignment to clear a

spot on the 40-man roster.

Ynoa (pronounced ya-know-ah) is 59-30 with a 3.36 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 136 minor league

games, including 128 starts. He appeared in 10 games (three starts) with the Mets last season and

allowed 13 runs and 26 hits in 18 1/3 innings. He walked seven batters and struck out 17.

Ynoa had a 3.18 ERA in his three starts, allowing four runs and striking out 11 in 11 1/3.

The Mets signed Ynoa as a non-drafted minor league free agent in 2009. He went 12-5 with a

3.97 ERA last summer in 25 starts with Triple-A Las Vegas, ranking third in the Pacific Coast

League with 154 1/3 innings pitched.

In seven minor league seasons, Ynoa is averaging 1.5 walks, 5.6 strikeouts and 0.7 home runs

per nine innings.

The Orioles are expected to start Ynoa at Triple-A Norfolk.

“He’s young, he’s strong, he’s durable,” Duquette said. “The kid won 13 games last year.

Pitching in Las Vegas, that’s a tough ballpark to pitch in, but he was one of the top pitchers in

the Pacific Coast League. He has a good sinker, a four-seam fastball that reaches 95 mph and a

good changeup.

“Our scouts think he’ll be able to develop into a big league pitcher with a little more consistent

breaking ball. He’s got pretty good credentials for a major league starting pitcher.”

The Orioles sought another starting option after trading Yovani Gallardo to the Mariners for

outfielder Seth Smith.

“He gives us some depth. He should be able to help out the major league team,” Duquette said.

“This kid’s got a chance to be a starting pitcher in the big leagues. He’s got a lot of good

qualities. He has talent and strength and he’s durable. Our scouts like him. We’ll see how he

does with a little bit more experience.”

Pena, 27, figured to compete with Caleb Joseph for the backup job, but he’ll have to clear

waivers. He’s out of options.

The camp roster currently includes Joseph, Welington Castillo, top prospect Chance Sisco,

Audry Perez and Yermin Mercedes. Austin Wynns is expected to come over from the minor

league camp after demonstrating that he’s fully recovered from an ankle injury.

Pena, the son of former major league catcher and current Yankees coach Tony Pena, was 8-for-

40 with a home run and three RBIs in 14 games with the Orioles last season.

“We have some catching depth throughout the organization and Pena is out of options,”

Duquette said. “We have Audry Perez, we have Chance Sisco, we have Austin Wynns, we have

Yermin Mercedes, Caleb Joseph and Castillo. We have a little bit more depth at the catcher

position.”

Castillo will leave camp to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, a

development that Duquette conceded was “a concern.” However, Duquette sounded confident

that the club would be fine.

The Orioles and Mets completed their second trade of the offseason. Duquette also acquired

pitcher Logan Verrett on Nov. 30 for cash considerations.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/masn-to-air-seven-orioles-spring-training-

games-1.html

MASN to air seven Orioles spring training games

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 10, 2017

If you’re unable to attend the Orioles’ exhibition games in person, their network will bring you

closer to seven of them. Food and beverages not included.

MASN is airing seven spring training games from Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The coverage

begins with the Feb. 27 game against the Yankees.

Your job keeping you from setting up in front of a television? Not to worry. All of the afternoon

games will be replayed later on the same day.

The complete MASN spring training schedule for the Orioles is as follows:

* Monday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m., New York Yankees vs. Orioles (replays at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.)

* Sunday, March 5 at 1 p.m., Philadelphia Phillies vs. Orioles (replays at 4 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.)

* Wednesday, March 8 at 1 p.m., Toronto Blue Jays vs. Orioles (replays at 7 p.m. and 11:30

p.m.)

* Saturday, March 11 at 1 p.m., Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Orioles (replays at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.)

* Sunday, March 19 at 1 p.m., Detroit Tigers vs. Orioles (replays at 4 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.)

* Wednesday, March 22 at 6 p.m., Tampa Bay Rays vs. Orioles (replay at 11:30 p.m.)

* Thursday, March 30 at 1 p.m., Detroit Tigers vs. Orioles (replays at 7 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.)

Pitchers and catchers report on Monday, with the first full-squad workout held on Feb. 17.

The Orioles open their exhibition schedule with a Feb. 24 game against the Tigers in Lakeland,

Fla. The first home game is Feb. 26 against the Pirates.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2017/02/machado-on-playing-shortstop-in-the-wbc-

and-more.html

Machado on playing shortstop in the WBC and more

By Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com

February 10, 2017

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado said last night that he expects to slide over to shortstop

for the World Baseball Classic.

One look at the Dominican Republic’s roster and it’s easy to understand why.

Adrian Beltre figures to handle the hot corner. Other infielders include Machado, Robinson

Cano, Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes.

Which player would you put at shortstop? Seems like a no-brainer to me.

“I kind of let them know that, hey, whatever it is, wherever you want me to play,”

Machado said last night on the “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan.

“We have a pretty stacked lineup. I can play short, I want to play short, and I most likely will be,

but it’s more about the experience and representing the country where your mom came from and

all my family’s been there. It’s going to be fun. I’m going to be excited for my mom and my

family to watch me play there. I’m excited about it, to be honest.”

The Dominican is the defending WBC champions after Japan won the first two tournaments. The

rosters were announced Wednesday night and Machado said the title is up for grabs.

“Everyone’s stacked,” he said. “Everyone’s All-Stars, everyone’s big leaguers throughout the

board, so it’s just whoever’s hot. Whichever team can play as a team for that short amount of

time. It’s going to be interesting.

“I think we have a pretty good chance of going back-to-back, but it’s just going to be a matter of

us playing together for the couple of weeks that we’re together and see what goes on.”

One of Machado’s new Orioles teammates, catcher Welington Castillo, also will leave camp to

play for the Dominican. His inclusion caught a few folks by surprise.

It also means that Castillo will have to interrupt the all-important bonding process with the

pitching staff.

“I did not know, but I’m sure that he’s getting to spring training early,” Machado said. “I know

the type of person that he is, that he’s going to go out there and from Day One he’ll be talking to

the pitchers and see how he’s going to help, what his goals are going to be as an everyday

catcher.

“I think he’s going to go out there and do his job and players are going to like him, pitchers are

going to like him and they’re going to feel comfortable throwing to him. The matter of him being

gone for a couple of weeks, he’s playing for his country. It’s always an honor to play in front of

the crowd, in front of where your parents are from.

“I think he’s doing the right thing. I think he’s going to probably get in early and do everything

extra that he’s going to need to fill in those couple weeks that he’s going to be gone.”

I’m not sure where Machado will bat in the WBC, but it’s a pretty safe bet that he won’t lead off

for the Orioles. They like him hitting third, his spot for 114 games last season.

How would Machado react if asked to bat first?

“There won’t be a reaction,” he said. “I’ve proven that I can hit in the leadoff spot. I’ve done

better in the third spot, hitting 37 (home runs) and driving in runs. I did have a little slump last

year in the second half, which I’m trying to improve this year. But we go up there and we’re

going to try to drive in runs.

“The best-case scenario would be to get a leadoff hitter who will be on base for guys like Adam

(Jones) and myself and (Mark) Trumbo and (Chris) Davis coming back. I’ll say that Adam did a

great job last year. Adam was a great leadoff hitter. He did a great job stepping in. He got a lot of

pitches to hit and he did a lot of his damage there.

“I think realistically speaking we should go out there and try to look for a leadoff hitter and get

someone to fill that hole and push Adam back. Adam shouldn’t be hitting first. Adam should be

hitting lower in the lineup because he’s one of the guys who can do damage and do the things

that we need to do.”

To review, Jones thinks Machado should bat third and Machado thinks Jones also should bat

lower than first. They won’t get an argument from me, but I still don’t know who’s the best

candidate to lead off among players projected to be in the lineup on a regular basis.

Machado was asked about his contract status at FanFest and it’s going to happen again on the

first day that he’s available to the media in spring training. He can’t be a free agent until the

conclusion of the 2018 season, but it’s possible that the Orioles again will engage in extension

talks.

“It’s obviously going to be a distraction if it keeps being brought up (by reporters),” he said, “but

at the end of the day, those are things I can’t control, to be honest. Would I like to stay here? Of

course. I’d love to stay here. This is the only organization that I know of, it’s the only uniform

that I’ve put on.

“Hopefully, they come up and try to (do) something. I know they went back and forth through

the arbitration meetings and all that. I know Dan (Duquette) knows what’s going on. I know

Peter (Angelos) does, but at the end of the day, it’s about putting the best team out there. I’m

under contract for the next two years, so they don’t really have to worry about me until then.

“Would it be easier to try to (do) something now? Yeah, but it’s not up to me. I can just go out

there and play baseball and keep doing what I’ve been doing, and things will turn out. I know

they want me to stay here. I’m looking forward to the season, looking forward to the next two

years in the organization with everyone here, and hopefully I can be here for the long term.”

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2017/02/after-rbi-less-season-caleb-joseph-

welcomes-a-fresh-start.html

After RBI-less season, Caleb Joseph welcomes a fresh start

By Steve Melewski / MASNsports.com

February 10, 2017

With spring training, as the saying goes, “hope springs eternal.” It can serve as a fresh start and

clean slate for players and teams alike.

Probably no Orioles player welcomes this is as much as catcher Caleb Joseph. A solid

contributor to the 2014-15 teams, Joseph had a miserable 2016 season that included a .174

batting average and zero RBIs in 141 plate appearances. He also suffered a testicular injury that

required surgery. It was a rough year.

Yep, he’s ready to start over and prove he’s better than that. O’s fans have seen him be better.

The same player that hit .074 (2-for-27) with runners in scoring position last year, hit .316 (24-

for-76) with an OPS of .844 with RISP in 2015. That season, Joseph averaged an RBI every 6.5

at-bats, topping, for instance, Adam Jones (one every 6.6 at-bats) and Manny Machado (one

every 7.4).

So with the knowledge that he’s done it before and intends to do it again, Joseph is probably

thrilled for a fresh start.

“It’s huge and I already have (started over),” he said at FanFest. “Mentally, physically,

I’ve already started over. I’m really excited for 2017, for multiple reasons. One, we’ve got a

great team coming back. Two, I feel great. And three, I love this team.

“Being with them at FanFest, even for just a couple of hours, was so much fun. Energizing. I’m

ready to go. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and any other words you can throw in

there. I’m ready.”

Joseph’s defense is considered solid, from pitch framing to game calling and throwing out

runners. The 2014 American League East champion Orioles sported a team ERA of 3.44. But it

was even better at 3.00 when Joseph caught, the best mark on the team. He had the best mark in

2015 as well at 3.65 to the team mark of 4.05.

Last year, his catcher ERA was higher than the overall team mark with Joseph’s number at 4.28

(Matt Wieters was first at 3.98) with a team mark of 4.22. Joseph threw out 31.3 percent of

runners last season and his career mark is 33.1. Ironically, Joseph’s defense was questioned

throughout his minor league career, but he’s proven to be better than those scouting reports now.

Joseph is ready for a challenge when pitchers and catchers report next week. The challenge is to

keep his job as the No. 2 catcher. While Joseph has a minor league option remaining, Francisco

Pena does not. Non-roster invitee Audry Perez may also get a look in Florida.

“You have to produce when you are out there,” Joseph said. “There is no question about that.

Buck (Showalter) is going to make the decisions. He’s made them since he got here and it’s

worked out right. The team has been in the playoffs. The tradition is back. You just have to put

yourself in the best position possible. And that is all I can control. That is what I’m focused on.

Just being as prepared as I can and when I get a chance, play as best as I can. You get more time

when you play well. It’s on me, so we’ll see.”

It is clear that Joseph takes great pride in the results produced by the pitching staff. He loves

catching any pitcher but was asked specifically about the young duo in the rotation in right-

handers Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy.

“We believed that Dylan would be the type of pitcher he finished out as,” Joseph said.

“And Gausman, we’ve been hoping and waiting for that for a while now. Not for lack of trying.

Sometimes it takes power pitchers time. And it really clicked for Gausman. Two extremely

exciting prospects and extremely exciting starting pitchers for us.

“I love catching both of them. Mentally, they are very similar. Bulldog mentality. They love to

win and they are not afraid to do the tough things, like pitch inside and pitch inside when behind

in the count. When you have that kind of attitude and the stuff they have, more times than not

you will be successful. It’s easier to be a catcher with those type of guys. I’m so excited they

finished the way they did. It gives them a huge boost coming into this year and they are going to

have to step up. Especially with the loss of (Yovani) Gallardo. They are the guys, so let’s see

what happens.”

One of the best interviews in the Orioles clubhouse, Joseph is also known for his impressions

and ability to crack up his teammates. His talents don’t end there. At FanFest, he showed off his

drumming skills.

During a one-man show Joseph entertained the fans, and especially the kids. Click here to see

that. Joseph said playing the drums can help with his baseball skills.

“Seriously, it does help,” he said. “Rhythm, tempo, being soft with your hands, but quick at the

same time. It really does help, I’m not going to lie. That is why I’d like an entire drum set in the

clubhouse.”

As it turns out, with or without an RBI, Joseph is pretty awesome.

Note: The Orioles late this morning announced that Pena has been designated for assignment to

make 40-man roster room for right-handed pitcher Gabriel Ynoa. They acquired Ynoa from the

New York Mets for cash considerations. Ynoa went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA last season for Triple-

A Las Vegas. In 18 1/3 innings in the majors, he went 1-0 with a 6.38 ERA. He is noted as a

control specialist in one scouting report with a fastball in the low 90s and a career walk-rate of

1.52 per every nine innings. He is the Mets’ No. 9 ranked prospect according to Baseball

America and No. 18 ranked prospect according to MLBPipeline.com.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18659412/baltimore-orioles-acquire-right-hander-gabriel-

ynoa-new-york-mets

Orioles acquire RHP Gabriel Ynoa from Mets

ESPN.com

February 10, 2017

The New York Mets traded right-hander Gabriel Ynoa to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for

cash considerations, both clubs announced Friday.

Ynoa, 23, spent most of 2016 with Triple-A Las Vegas, going 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 25 starts.

He appeared in 10 games (three starts) at the major league level, posting a 1-0 record and 6.38

ERA over 18 1/3 innings of work.

The Orioles designated catcher Francisco Peña for assignment to make room for Ynoa on their

40-man roster.

The Mets' 40-man roster is now at 39 players.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/10/orioles-five-biggest-offseason-highlights

Orioles' Five Biggest Offseason Highlights

By Rich Dubroff / PressBoxOnline.com

February 10, 2017

As the last weekend of the Orioles' offseason approaches, here's a look back at the biggest

storylines from the past four months.

1. Matt Wieters Departs, Welington Castillo Arrives

When the Orioles' offseason began, there was debate within the organization about whether

Wieters, the team's longtime catcher, should receive a $17.2 million qualifying offer.

A year after Wieters surprisingly accepted a $15.8 million qualifying offer, there was no such

offer coming this year, and in the biggest surprise of the offseason, he's without a job with camps

opening next week.

While there's been some loose chatter about Wieters returning to the Orioles, they seemingly had

no interest in bringing him back.

Instead, they signed Castillo, who was unexpectedly not offered a contract by the Arizona

Diamondbacks, to a one-year contract with a player option.

Castillo will report along with the other pitchers and catchers Feb. 13, but he won't have much

time to get to know many of the pitchers because he'll be catching for Team Dominican Republic

in the World Baseball Classic.

If the loaded Dominican Republic team plays in the finals, Castillo will only have the final week

of camp to catch up with his new staff.

2. Mark Trumbo Stays Around

While there was no qualifying offer for Wieters, there was one for Trumbo, who became the

fourth consecutive Orioles slugger to lead the majors in home runs.

The right fielder, who smacked 47 home runs in his first year with the Orioles, enjoyed that year

but found the market for his services less than robust.

With not many palatable choices, Trumbo re-signed for three years and $37.5 million.

3. Yovani Gallardo Nets Orioles a New Right Fielder

For much of the offseason, there was fretting about the Orioles having six starters. How would

they fit six starters in?

They traded Gallardo and his $11 million salary to Seattle for Seth Smith, a left-handed hitter

they'd long wanted. Smith is a right fielder, something they needed, and he has a healthy on-base

percentage.

Even better, Smith's salary for 2017 is $7 million, a $4 million saving.

Of course, if one of those remaining five starters gets hurt, fans may be wishing for Gallardo's

return.

4. Adam Jones Wants Improved Outfield Defense

At FanFest Jan. 28, the center fielder said he hoped the corner outfielders would be more

athletic.

While Jones was happy Trumbo was back and Smith was on board, he wished some speedier,

better defenders were beside him.

It wasn't the first time Jones publicly suggested the Orioles change their business model.

In 2015, he said he wanted to speak with majority owner Peter Angelos to convince him the team

had to spend aggressively to keep its free agents.

Since then, Trumbo, first baseman Chris Davis and right-hander Darren O'Day have been re-

signed to multi-year contracts.

Unless the Orioles are counting on last year's Rule 5 draft pick, Joey Rickard, or one of this

year's, Aneury Tavarez or Anthony Santander, to help the outfield defense, the search for

additional outfielders goes on and may extend into spring training.

5. Who Will Bat Leadoff?

Last year, manager Buck Showalter used Jones in the leadoff spot. After the season ended,

Showalter said he wanted to move him out of the top spot.

Jones was elevated because he wasn't hitting at the time, and the move helped him and the

Orioles.

Showalter could use Hyun Soo Kim as the leadoff batter. He could use Smith. But neither has

proven they can consistently hit left-handers, and in Kim's case, they have little experience at it.

Rickard is another possibility, but he may not play regularly.

This question of the offseason has no clear answer four months later, and it may be until late in

spring training, perhaps after the conclusion of the World Baseball Classic, before it's fully

answered.

ORIOLES ACQUIRE PITCHER: The Orioles acquired right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the

New York Mets for cash considerations.

The 23-year-old was 1-0 with a 6.38 ERA in 10 games (three starts) with the Mets.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher Francisco Pena for

assignment.

"Gabe Ynoa is young, strong, durable and talented," Orioles executive vice president of baseball

operations Dan Duquette said in a text message. "Our scouts feel he can develop into a major

league starting pitcher by developing a consistent breaking pitch. We look forward to his

contributions to the Orioles this season and beyond."

NOTE: The Orioles will place individual game tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 14.

Concurrently with that announcement, the team revealed its promotional schedule for this

season.

Highlights include an Orioles "Welcome Mat" April 22, a "Birdland Yard Flag" May 9, a

"Maryland Flag Script Jersey" May 20, the return of "Floppy Hat Night" June 2, an "Orioles

Greyscale Cap" June 18, a Zach Britton bobblehead July 1, a Jonathan Schoop bobblehead Aug.

5 and a "25th Anniversary Oriole Park at Camden Yards Replica Ballpark" Aug. 19.

https://www.pressboxonline.com/2017/02/10/is-dan-duquettes-2017-orioles-roster-short-one-

important-piece

Is Dan Duquette's 2017 Orioles Roster Short One Important

Piece?

By Stan Charles / PressBoxOnline.com

February 10, 2017

When a baseball season ends for any MLB team, it can't build a roster for next season from

scratch. However, there is usually a four- to seven-person blank canvas that a general manger has

to improve from one year to the next.

Needless to say, free agency plays a part in filling those spots, as do trades and moving on from

certain players. There are also, hopefully, a couple of prospects trying to knock down that door

of opportunity.

With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training in Sarasota, Fla., Feb. 13, let's take a look

at how the Orioles and executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette have built

toward a 25-man roster that will open at Camden Yards against the Toronto Blue Jays April 3.

At the end of the 2016 season, the team's key free agents were catcher Matt Wieters and

outfielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo. The O's moved on succinctly from Wieters and the

high ask he and his agent, Scott Boras, have stuck to, even though Wieters' stock has fallen

dramatically since his Tommy John surgery in May 2014. New catcher Welington Castillo is on

board, and he will handle about 130-135 games behind the plate in 2017.

Trumbo was a priority to re-sign, apparently all the way from the top, and Duquette doggedly

hung in there and got his man on a three-year deal at $37.5 million. The one significant

difference is Trumbo, who will probably play in excess of 150 games, will play far fewer in right

field. He is expected to spend about 100-110 games as the team's primary DH with the

acquisition of former Mariner Seth Smith for right-hander Yovani Gallardo.

Behind Adam Jones, Hyun-Soo Kim, Smith and Trumbo, the other two outfielders figure to

come from a group of Joey Rickard, currently unsigned free-agent Michael Bourn and the two

Rule 5 picks, former Red Sox prospect Aneury Tavarez and former Indians prospect Anthony

Santander. Remember this about Duquette and Rule 5 draft picks: he clutches onto them like an

old-time racetrack goer holds on to an old, half-smoked stogie.

In his five previous years with the Orioles, Duquette has used Rule 5 picks on utility man Ryan

Flaherty, lefty T.J. McFarland, third baseman Michael Almanzar, right-handers Jason Garcia and

Logan Verrett and Rickard a year ago. Of the group, all are currently members of the Orioles'

organization. Only Verrett got out of his hands, and he wound up being claimed by the Rangers

off waivers when he didn't crack the Orioles' 25-man roster in 2015. Ultimately, he wound up

back with his original club, the New York Mets. Duquette was able to purchase him this

offseason.

The infield is pretty much set in stone with Chris Davis at first, Jonathan Schoop at second, J.J.

Hardy at short and Manny Machado at third.

With the trade of Gallardo, there are five projected starters in right-handers Chris Tillman, Kevin

Gausman, Dylan Bundy and Ubaldo Jimenez and lefty Wade Miley. After that, should an injury

occur, Verrett appears at the top of the list with right-handers Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright

behind a notch or two.

Then there is the bullpen, which is headed by lefty closer Zach Britton and right-handers Darren

O'Day, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens and second-year lefty Donnie Hart.

It's a solid staff and a potentially exceptional bullpen. But this is where Duquette's offseason

comes off the rails. It's a seemingly small matter, which has the chance of becoming a major

irritant.

When you are a team with a left-handed closer, as the Orioles are, it seems imperative that you

have not one, but two other lefties to come in when a David Ortiz, Michael Brantley, Eric

Hosmer or Robinson Cano comes to the plate in the sixth-eighth innings.

With the Orioles' starting staff lacking a true No. 1 starter and having two others, in Miley and

Jimenez, who are problematic, chances are the Orioles will be in a lot of close, high-scoring

games. The combination of those issues with a flawed offense lacking on-base potential leaves

the Orioles needing plenty of close wins dictated by the bullpen.

While Hart was excellent in 2016, with a 0.49 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 18.1 innings through 22

games, that's still too small of a sample size to bank on those numbers being the norm. There

were a lot of free-agent lefties available this offseason. I understand that with a team payroll

flirting with a $160 million figure, you cannot buy everything at any price.

But it sure seems a lefty like J.P. Howell at $3 million, the exact deal Howell finalized with the

Blue Jays Feb. 9, might have made a lot of sense.

Considering all this, when the Orioles go in-season shopping, their No. 1 need is a second left-

hander to solidify the bridge to Britton.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2017/02/10/orioles-acquire-rhp-gabriel-ynoa-from-the-mets/

Orioles Acquire RHP Gabriel Ynoa From The Mets

CBS Baltimore

February 10, 2017

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Baltimore Orioles have acquired RHP Gabriel Ynoa from the New

York Mets in exchange for cash considerations.

To make room on the 40-man roster, C Fransisco Peña has been designated for assignment.

Ynoa, 23, went 59-30 with a 3.36 ERA (297 ER/795.1 IP) and 1.17 WHIP in 136 career

minor league games (128 starts). He made his Major League debut on August 13, 2016 against

San Diego and pitched in 10 games (three starts) with the Mets last season, posting a 2.43

strikeout/walk ratio. Originally signed by the Mets as a non-drafted minor league free agent on

November 19, 2009, Ynoa went 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA (68 ER/154.1 IP) over 25 starts with

Triple-A Las Vegas in 2016, ranking third among Pacific Coast League pitchers in innings

pitched, while also leading the 51’s in wins and starts.

Peña, 27, batted .200/.238/.275 (8-for-40) with a home run and three RBI in 14 games with the

Orioles last season.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/02/10/orioles-add-gabriel-ynoa-designate-pena-moves-

mean/

Orioles add Gabriel Ynoa and designate Pena — what these

moves mean

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

February 10, 2017

The Orioles and executive vice president Dan Duquette continue to work on the 40-man roster as

pitchers and catchers are about to report to Sarasota, Fla., on Monday.

In one move Friday morning, Duquette added a pitcher and took a catcher off the roster.

The Orioles acquired 23-year-old right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the New York Mets for cash

considerations and placed him on their 40-man roster. In doing so, they designated catcher

Francisco Pena for assignment, meaning the club has 10 days to trade, release or ask waivers on

Pena, who was expected to battle Caleb Joseph for the back-up catcher’s job.

Ynoa, a Dominican Republic native, made his big-league debut for the Mets in August, picking

up his first win while throwing a scoreless inning of relief against San Diego. Overall, he made

10 appearances, including three starts, and posted a 6.38 ERA in 18 1/3 innings (26 hits, seven

walks, 17 strikeouts) for the Mets. In 25 starts at hitter friendly Las Vegas last year, Ynoa was

12-5 with a 3.97 ERA. He headed into 2017 as the Mets’ ninth-ranked prospect, according to

Baseball America.

“He’s young, has some good pitches and is very durable and competitive,” Duquette said. “Our

scouts think he can develop into a competent big league starter if he can develop a little more

consistency with his breaking pitches.”

Ynoa’s best pitch is his sinker, which averaged 93.65 mph last season, according to mlb.com’s

Statcast. He throws his four-seam fastball in the low 90s, but Duquette said he can touch 94 with

it. He has a slider and changeup that aren’t yet quality pitches, but he is a strike thrower, almost

to a fault. He has walked 141 in 813 2/3 pro innings (with 515 strikeouts), and is around the plate

so much that he has given up plenty of hits, 826 in his career.

“He won 13 games last year (between the minors and majors),” Duquette said. “We just think he

needs a little more experience.”

I take a stab at some questions involving this deal here:

Where’s Ynoa headed?

He’ll be in spring camp with the Orioles and, technically, he’ll be competing for a major-league

job. But the Orioles want him to continue to work as a starter, so he almost certainly will be in

Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation to begin the year.

Why did this move intrigue the Orioles?

First, Ynoa’s youth. He immediately becomes the youngest pitcher on the Orioles’ 40-man

roster. He’s the second youngest on the 40-man roster overall – behind only Rule 5 outfielder

Anthony Santander. And Ynoa has upside; Baseball America’s John Manuel said he’d put Ynoa

as ninth on the Orioles’ 2017 prospect list now, just ahead of Santander.

Secondly, the Orioles need starting pitchers that are knocking on the big-league door if injuries

occur. Right now, that list consists of Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright – who were given a chance

last year – and Logan Verrett, Joe Gunkel and Chris Lee, who is attempting to come back from

injury. Ynoa might have the ability and experience to leapfrog all of them.

Third, it cost cash, not players, to acquire him.

Why did the Mets do this?

The Mets are one of the few teams in baseball that have depth when it comes to young arms.

They needed to strengthen their late-inning relief and are reportedly re-signing reliever Fernando

Salas. They have to clear a roster spot for Salas, and so they likely would have had to designate

Ynoa anyway. This way, they get something for him now – and the kid isn’t in limbo at the start

of spring training.

Are the Orioles done adding starting pitching depth?

Nope. Duquette said that’s still on his priority list. And, in the right deal, he said he could add a

starting pitcher on a big-league deal. That means someone else would have to come off the 40-

man roster. Not worth speculating whom that would be at this point.

What does this mean for the Orioles’ catching situation?

Pena was supposed to get a real look at back-up catcher this spring. And now he may be out of

the organization. Right now, Joseph and Welington Castillo are the only catchers on the 40-man

roster, and Castillo will be lost for several weeks in the spring as he plays for the Dominican

Republic in the World Baseball Classic. So, suddenly, the Orioles look short on catchers for the

spring. They could always sign a minor-league free agent to bridge the gap. And there’s no

guarantee Pena will be claimed. He is 27, out of options and a career .239 hitter in the minors.

He could be back within days if no one claims him off waivers.

Does this mean anything for Matt Wieters?

Probably not. If the Orioles’ re-signed Wieters, Pena would definitely be the odd man out in the

organization, because that would mean Joseph and top prospect Chance Sisco would share

Triple-A catching duties. But I think we’d be reading too much into the DFA of Pena if we

speculate this move means Wieters is coming back. There are a lot of more important factors in

any Wieters move – for both sides – than what happens to the club’s backup backstops. It’s about

fit and money and playing time and defensive needs and filling a leadership void. Not about

backups.

What’s Connolly’s bottom line here?

Ynoa is definitely worth a shot, especially with minor league options available. It’s a classic

Duquette under-the-radar move that could pay dividends.

http://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2017/02/10/tap-question-best-worst-promotional-giveaways-

orioles-history/

Tap-In Question: What are the best and worst promotional

giveaways in Orioles’ history?

By Dan Connolly / BaltimoreBaseball.com

February 10, 2017

Sometimes, silly is good.

Sometimes, sticking with a pattern is good.

And sometimes you get toward the end of an offseason and you just don’t feel like writing the

same thing again – or striking up the same old conversation at the bar.

This, inadvertently, was “greatest week” at BaltimoreBaseball.com. In the last few days, I’ve

offered my opinion on greatest radio announcers in Orioles’ history and made you come to the

bar and debate who is the Greatest Of All Time in the annals of Baltimore sports.

So, I’m sort of, kind of going back to the well again, at least tapping in – pun intended – to the

“greatest” thing. Even though today’s subject matter is highly insignificant.

On Thursday, the Orioles announced their promotional schedule for 2017. It includes

bobbleheads of Zach Britton and Jonathan Schoop, a Manny Machado Starting Lineup figure, a

scaled-down replica of Camden Yards, an O’s welcome mat and various caps and T-shirts.

People love free stuff. And it’s amazing how many people will show up at Camden Yards for a

T-shirt or a floppy hat. I’d criticize that motivation, but, frankly, I loved those promotions as a

kid – and I still think some of the giveaways at Camden Yards these days are pretty enticing.

The Showalter Gnome was genius; the replica statues truly were collectibles and I’m a fan of the

O’s golf umbrella. There’s always one of those in my car trunk.

Sure, some giveaways haven’t worked out. That “newsboy cap” last year was terrible; it only fit

those with gnome-sized heads. And the first fedora they gave out a few years ago seemingly was

made of construction paper. And let’s not forget the bluish-purple Brian Roberts bobbleheads

that were nixed before the promotion occurred, or those seat cushions that became projectiles to

protest umpiring decisions at Memorial Stadium.

My favorite giveaway of all-time were those black, wooden bats the Orioles presented in the

1970s. Times have changed. I’m not sure the Orioles would sign off on giving away weapons

these days, but at age 8, nothing was cooler than Bat Day.

Well, I guess Halter Top Day back in the 1970s would rival it – and that one is even less likely

than Bat Day to return. When I first mentioned the giveaway halter tops in a piece I had written

several years ago, I remember the Orioles’ late Public Relations Director, Monica Barlow, asking

if I were joking. When I said, “No, your organization really gave out orange bra-like tops to

women once a year,” she was aghast, to put it mildly. I still laugh when I think of her reaction.

So, there have been some good, some bad and some bizarre. Let’s discuss this not-so-hot topic

today over a cold beer.

Tap-In Question: What’s the best and worst Orioles’ promotional giveaways in club history

http://www.telegram.com/sports/20170208/baseball-gardner-reliever-oliver-drake-has-plenty-to-

build-on-for-orioles

Baseball: Gardner reliever Oliver Drake has plenty to build

on for Orioles

By Bill Ballou / telegram.com

February 8, 2017

It really doesn't matter when a batter hits his first major league home run or when a pitcher gets

his first major league win, but circumstances can make the occasion even more memorable.

That was the case last September when Oliver Drake recorded his first big-league win for the

Orioles.

It took a while for the Gardner native, happening last Sept. 23 in his 25th major league

appearance. That night, the Orioles, in the thick of a battle for a playoff spot, went 12 innings to

beat the Diamondbacks at Camden Yards, 3-2, with Mark Trumbo hitting a walk-off homer

leading off the bottom of the inning.

Drake, the seventh pitcher employed by Buck Showalter that night, threw just eight pitches in the

top of the inning.

"It was an awesome feeling," Drake said of the dramatic moment, "coming in extra innings with

us in the middle of the playoff hunt, so it was a game that very much mattered. I had a quick

inning, got our guys back into the dugout fast, then Mark Trumbo came up and did what he does

best.

"I was getting ready to go out there for the next inning if that was the case, but as it turned out, it

wasn't."

Drake did not get Trumbo's home run ball, but he did get a couple of game balls used in the 12th

inning as well as the lineup card signed by his teammates, manager and the coaching staff.

Drake, who turned 30 last month, spent most of the winter in Gardner as has been the case

throughout his career, also having some vacation time in Puerto Rico. He worked out at Cressey

Performance in Hudson, another traditional offseason pursuit.

"It's always good inside at Cressey's," he said. "I go there to stay healthy and get stronger. If it

ain't broke, don't fix it, and it has always worked for me."

His 2016 season was divided into into four distinct quarters, two with Baltimore's Triple-A

affiliate in Norfolk and two with the Orioles.

Drake opened the year in Norfolk in his standard minor league role as closer. As the year

progressed, he returned to his unhittable form of 2015 and went 14 consecutive appearances

without allowing an earned run. That ended on June 18, after which he was summoned to

Baltimore to pitch out of the Orioles bullpen.

Baltimore did not have an opening at closer at the time, as Zach Britton was 2-1 with an 0.93

ERA and had converted 21 of 21 saves when Drake arrived. In his first appearance, Drake was

charged with a blown save after he came in with the bases loaded and the Orioles up by two runs,

and allowed two inherited runners to score.

He pitched in four games from June 21-29 and was charged with six earned runs in 5-2/3

innings, then went back to Norfolk to work in setup situations. During his final 20 appearances at

Triple A, Drake pitched more than one inning 16 times.

The Orioles brought him up for good at the end of August, and he pitched very well through the

end of the season. In 10 appearances after being recalled from Norfolk, Drake allowed two

earned runs in 12-1/3 innings to reduce his earned run average from 9.53 to 4.00.

Most significant was his walk-strikeout ratio, something that had always been good in the

minors, but had been a problem in previous major league appearances. Drake walked only two

and struck out 15, including at least one batter in nine of his 10 outings.

The last earned run he allowed was on Sept. 12 in Boston, a home run into the visitors bullpen by

David Ortiz.

Drake has never opened a season in the major leagues, but given his success last September,

April could find him in a Baltimore uniform.

"I just kind of ride the momentum going from the end of year," he said. "There's definitely a

learning curve, because it's different up there, and any time you can get comfortable in a setting,

it's easier to perform at a new level. It definitely helped having some experience up there."

During the winter, Drake got engaged to longtime girlfriend Shannon Brow. The wedding is

scheduled for next fall or winter, sometime after the baseball season ends.

As well as 2016 ended for Drake, it was not a perfect year considering the Orioles' early playoff

exit.

"For me, it was a good end to the season," he said, "but as team — when you get to the playoffs,

it's exciting, but you don't just want to get there, you want to keep going, so when we didn't,

everyone was bummed about it.

"But you have to move on to the next year. The job didn't get done, but there's a lot to build on."

The construction, for both Drake and the Oriole, begins later this month in Sarasota.