What’s happening? – The Orioles pitchers and catchers take the field for their first workout of the spring this morning. There are 31 pitchers and six catchers expected.
Tuesday’s reporting day featured many of the pitchers and just two catchers, Austin Wynns and minor leaguer Martin Cervenka, in the clubhouse when it was open to the media.
Manager Brandon Hyde sounds eager to get started, and is enjoying the bonding process with his players.
“We’ve met with a handful of guys so far,” Hyde said. “These individual meetings are wonderful in the fact that you get one-on-one times, talking a little bit about themselves, talking about their goals, tell them how we feel about them at this point, talk about the things they’re working on in spring training. Those one-on-one meetings are unbelievably valuable.”
What’s happened?—Mike Elias, who has never been a major league general manager before, likes what he’s seen from Hyde, who has worked under Cubs manager Joe Maddon for the past four years.
“I think he’s more than ready for it,” Elias said. “He’s not coming from obscurity. He’s been the bench coach in Chicago and running their camps really with a veteran manager who put a lot on Brandon’s plate, so he knows the ropes when it comes to spring training. For him, it’s just more about learning players, learning the habits of his coaching staff, learning the front office, things like that. We’re all getting to know each other a little bit, but in terms of the material new to a manager in spring training, he’s all over that.”
The Orioles added a veteran to their outfield mix when they signed 33-year-old Eric Young Jr. to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp.
Young has a lifetime batting average of .245 in 10 major league seasons. He’s played with Colorado, Atlanta, both New York teams and for the past two seasons, the Los Angeles Angels.
He led the National League with 46 stolen bases in 2013.
What’s up with? – Christopher Bostick. The 25-year-old utility man represents the annual local guy trying to make the team. A year ago, outfielder Alex Presley, who lives in nearby Lakewood Ranch, tried to catch on with the team. This year, Bostick, who moved to Bradenton last year, gets to drive to work each day.
Bostick, who was born in Rochester, N.Y., was drafted in 2011 by Oakland and has been in five organizations before joining the Orioles as a minor league free agent.
He hit .256 in 35 games with Pittsburgh and Miami the past two seasons.
“You’re lucky to be in a position where you have a job,” Bostick said. “My wife is from Charles Town, W. Va. We actually got married in Baltimore, so I’m pretty familiar with the area. I thought it was a good fit.”
Bostick can play the infield and outfield.
“Some teams, it seems like you walk in the clubhouse and every spot is filled,” Bostick said. “Some teams, you walk in, and you don’t know if there are spots filled. Regardless of whether there are spots…things always happen. You never know what’s going to happen.”
What’s what? –Ever since the Orioles moved to Sarasota in 2010, Adam Jones occupied the corner locker, the one farthest from the entrance to the clubhouse.
This year, it’s Trey Mancini’s. Mark Trumbo and Chris Davis have two other end lockers. Davis has had that locker for years; Trumbo inherited his from Manny Machado.
What’s the word? – Elias on whether Mancini and Dylan Bundy can be considered veteran leaders. “It’s part of what happens when you have a young team like this. I think that Trey, in particular, sounds like he’s sort of excited about it. He’s been here. He’s had success already at the major league level, even though he’s young. It’s just a part of your career growing. I haven’t had the conversation with Dylan Bundy about it yet, but everything that I’ve heard about him is he’s a confident guy, and he’s eager to embrace that mantel, too. Sometimes in your career you get thrust into that position of leadership a little bit earlier than you expect, and it ultimately helps you grow.”
What’s the number? 60. With the addition of Young, the Orioles have 60 players in camp, and that number could grow to 61 if infielder Jack Reinheimer clears waivers.
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At least Machado is no longer in camp to poison these kids with his borish, lazy, prima-donna-like attitude.
Maybe Hyde can get the team working towards being professionals again.
There was no excuse for Machado not hustling, but scrubs and young guys trying to make the team always hustle. Hustling now means nothing in the long term. Adam Jones was a vet who always hustled and could be a leader but Elias has no use for him. But he signed Eric Young. "right player/right price" = CHEAP!!!
Victor, hopefully Adam Jones gets signed soon.
Boog, Manny Machado is in no one's camp! Where do you think he'll sign?
I have absolutely no idea. I read that the Padres are pushing hard, but I just can't see Manny wanting to play on the West Coast, especially for a team that is historically less than competitive.
There's a voice in my head that keeps coming back to the Yankees. I'm guessing that he accepts a shorter term deal with the Evil Empire in order to get where he obviously wants to go.
So if I had to wager my lunch money on it, I'd be on the Yankees.
I still wonder if Jones not being back has underlying reasons. This is Hyde's team. Though Jones I'm sure wouldn't openly rebel his presence could be awkward for both him and Hyde. This is not only a rebuild but a turning of the page/bury the past season. There will be 2 or 3 young players rise above the chaos but others will drop off. Patience.
Don't you think Jones would prefer to play for a contender,, Orial?
I think we all have to embrace the fact that everything has been scrubbed clean of the old ways of doing things. It is a new start and was needed. I agree with Boog R. R. that Manny would not have been the greatest role model to the young kids. Maybe that is why he is still a free agent. I, for one am looking forward to the new team and to see which new player (or an existing player) steps up and distinguishes himself during the spring.
Spin, the Orioles are certainly doing things in a new way.
Elias can sign 33-year-old outfielder Eric Young, but not Adam Jones? C'mon, Elias. Analytics aren't the only consideration when adding players. The fan base won't care for this move at all. I sure don't.
Bmore, it's sad that Jones doesn't have a job, but hopefully he'll sign with a contender soon.
I wish folks would move on from Adam Jones. I will miss him too, but I think not bringing him back is the right move. He deserves a chance with a contender and we have young players that need at bats and field time. It is selfish to want him here to waste his few remaining good years he has left. If you love him then let him go.
Fmctreefiddy, I would have loved to see Jones back, but months ago, it became clear to me that that wouldn't be happening. Hopefully, a contender is in his future.
Any chance for a Matt Wieters reunion? The team seems to be short on catchers and could use a veteran behind the plate that can help guide young pitchers as the young catchers continue to develop. Might be able to sign him for $2-$3M. He might become a good candidate to flip mid-year for a decent prospect or two if he has a decent start to the season. Seems like a good value at this point, especially considering the options currently on the team and the need to have stability at the catcher position for a young team.
Chewy, I would be surprised if Wieters ended up back here. It's an entirely new team since he left. I think they're going to go with younger and cheaper options.
I liked Wieters, but his agent is Scott Boras, so I don't think he'd be a value pick. Boras' clients are only values when they have priceless talent and only cost tens of millions of dollars. BTW, C. Joseph caught on with Arizona for a manageable $1.1M if he makes the big club, $250K if he's sent down.
Let the rebuild begin. Mancini & Bundy as veteran leaders ? Don't know about that one. They both have a lot of improving to do on the field if they are going to be considered true leaders. Veterans or otherwise.
I think Mancini and Bundy are only considered leaders by default, Hallbe.
Why do people want to bring back Jones and Matt Wieters to win 60 plus games? This is going to be the longest year in Orioles history. Baseball is broken in my opinion. I have been an Orioles fan for over 40 years this is the first time we have a team not trying to win. The team goal is develop players. I wish fans would push back and send a message.
Deqalt, I will be closely monitoring the attendance figures. I think it's going to be a challenging year.
Jones isn’t going to come back here on a minor league deal like Young did. I’d welcome Adam back to the team but I wouldn’t want him to block the progress of a younger player.
When will Reinheimer clear?