Spring Training

Machado signs with Padres; Orioles add another left-handed reliever, Boog’s comes to Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla.-What’s happening? – The biggest story around baseball is Manny Machado reportedly agreeing to a 10-year, $300-million contract with the San Diego Padres.

Machado’s belated agreement might come as a relief to some Orioles fans, who were afraid that he would sign with the New York Yankees.

The Orioles and Padres are scheduled for home-and-home series this year. San Diego plays at Oriole Park on June 25 and 26 and the Orioles visit Petco Park July 29 and 30.

Since Machado was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers last July, it’s not as big a story as it would have been if he left the Orioles for the Padres, who weren’t considered a serious contender for him until recently.

The Orioles acquired another left-handed reliever, Josh Osich, on waivers from the San Francisco Giants. Osich is 6-5 with a 5.01 ERA in four seasons with the Giants.

Osich’s arrival gives the Orioles five left-handed relievers on the 40-man roster. He joins Richard Bleier, Paul Fry, Donnie Hart and Tanner Scott. They also have Sean Gilmartin and Chris Lee as non-roster invitees.

To make room for Osich, the Orioles designated infielder Hanser Alberto for assignment. Alberto’s departure temporarily lessens the infield crunch on a day when veteran Alcides Escobar arrived in camp.

Escobar, who was both an All-Star and won the Gold Glove in 2015 when the Kansas City Royals won the World Series, signed a minor league contract and will make $700,000 if he makes the Opening Day roster.

“It was very difficult to pick one team first, because I’m looking for the team that has more chance to play and the Orioles were the best team,” Escobar said.

In 2014, the Royals and Orioles played for the American League pennant, and Kansas City won in four straight games. Chris Davis, who was suspended for the series, is the only player remaining from 2014 on the team.

Escobar is one of a handful of players over 30 in the clubhouse, joining Cobb, Davis, Andrew Cashner, Mark Trumbo and Eric Young Jr.

“I can teach younger players and help everybody in here,” he said. “ I’m young, too. I’m only 32.”

What’s happened? Cobb threw live batting practice on the Ed Smith Stadium field and looked good after Jace Peterson lined his first pitch back through the middle, narrowly missing him.

“We’ve talked a little bit about his experience signing late [last year],” Hyde said about Cobb. “Kind of rushing to get back to the big leagues. It’s really great that he’s going to have a full camp and be ready when the season starts.”

Davis took batting practice and hit a long home run to right field on the Camden Yards field.

What’s up with? Drew Jackson. He’s the “other” Orioles Rule 5 draft pick. Shortstop Richie Martin is the more well-known Rule 5 pick.

One of 13 infielders vying for perhaps four spots on the roster, Jackson will have a difficult time making the Orioles.

Jackson has never played above Double-A and was drafted by the  Philadelphia Phillies, who immediately dealt him to the Orioles for international signing bonus money.

“I love competition,” Jackson said. “That pressure’s good. Anywhere you go, you’re going to have competition, pressure to make the team. Just going out there and handling my business, and whatever happens, happens.”

Jackson plays second and short, and can also play third base. He also has experience playing center field, and he’s expected to play some outfield in camp.

What’s what? – Perhaps the best news for Oriole fans in spring training is that Boog’s BBQ will open an outlet at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota for the 16 home games.

Boog Powell will be on hand for selected home games, and I eagerly await to sample the pit beef. The guess here is that it will be just as good as it is at Camden Yards.

What’s the word? “My buddy Chris gave me one.”-Ryan Mountcastle didn’t bring a first baseman’s mitt to camp and  Davis loaned him one for his for his initial workout at first on Monday.

What’s the number? 1. Escobar was issued No. 1, and he was assigned the locker next to Martin, who was originally given No. 1. Martin is now wearing No. 82.

Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

View Comments

  • Glad Machado finally reaped his payday. While some on this site have attempted to characterize him as divisive and negative, all I saw was a supremely talented youngster who needed an occasional kick in the butt to motor to 1st base, was always joking with Jonathan Schoop, overcame frightening knee injuries and was FIERCELY competitive. Especially against Boston, which worked for me. Wonder what's up with lefty Josh Osich and his 5.01 ERA? Guess we'll find out.

    • Manny Machado was and is a supremely immature prima-donna that has never played up to his "supremely talented" capabilities. Mark my word that at some point during his contract, the Padres will be looking to unload him.

      All that being said, I wish the O's would have taken care of him 3 years ago and had him in black and orange for the next 6 to 8 years.

    • Bmorebirds and Boog, Machado was an exciting player to cover, especially when he played third base. I’m intrigued to see how he does with the Padres.

  • Good to hear Manny get what I believe he deserves. And I am glad he's on the other coast and the in other league, on the other hand we won't get to see him very often but I can deal with that

  • Glad for Manny, great player. Maybe being in SD will calm him down a little. Not good news for Martin or Jackson, I don’t like the signing of Escobar. We need to see what these 2 young guys can do

    • Michael, there will be many twists and turns in spring training and the roster is nearly impossible to predict.

  • Rich: I am glad Manny has found a home, albeit on the left coast. It will be nice to see him return to Baltimore next June. He deserves to be applauded for his time with the Orioles organization. He is a home grown talent.
    Maybe I am in the minority, but I really like the signing of Escobar. Yes, it would be nice to have only the kids playing every inning of every game, but we need to be competitive and having a veteran like Escobar might give us a trade chip come the July trading deadline.
    BTW, I like the format you have chosen for your updates, "What..."

  • Nothing like hearing for 5 years that the Orioles are too small a market and thus too poor to afford Machado, then see him sign with the 3rd smallest market in Major League Baseball.

  • Could be because they lost a lot and secured some good draft picks . At this point they are prospects and no one knows how this will play out with Manny being there . Is he going to be a SS or 3 b

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Rich Dubroff

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