What’s happening? –The Orioles will have their fourth different Opening Day shortstop in as many years. Freddy Galvis, who played for the Cincinnati Reds last year, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract last month, to play shortstop this season.
Galvis and second baseman Yolmer Sánchez are the Orioles’ new double-play combination.
“So far it’s been good,” Galvis said in a video conference call from Orioles’ spring training in Sarasota, Florida. “We know each other back from Venezuela. We’ve been around the league a little bit, so we know each other.
“Just try to talk, try to communicate. I think as long as we do that. We can get ready and get better together every single day. So far, it’s been good, not just with him, with almost everybody on the team, too.”
Galvis was asked how he’s been handling the pandemic.
“I have my family,” Galvis said. “I’m married. I have two daughters. I had the opportunity last year to take my family to Cincinnati, too. From the time I left the stadium, I was coming back to my house and being with my family.
“For me, it was a little bit easier in that moment because I had have family. On a road trip when we go to a different city, it was hard because you’re used to going out and getting some lunch and then some dinner, and now we have to stay in the hotel.
“The more that you’re talking and you’re with your teammates, it’s going to be easier for everybody. It’s hard to be in the room, watching TV and doing nothing, especially if you have a bad day in the field.”
Galvis likes the atmosphere around the Orioles.
“We have to come through like a family,” he said. “That’s what I see so far here.”
What’s happened?—Manager Brandon Hyde says that he’s been discussing changes in Chris Davis’ approach at the plate since he became the Orioles’ manager in December 2018.
“I’ve been talking about making adjustments for a couple of years,” Hyde said. “This offseason, he wanted to change some things in his swing. Yeah, I see some physical differences in his batting practice and live BP. It’s only been a few days, so wait until games start to really take a long look.
“His setup is a little different at the plate. He’s got a good mindset right now. The last couple of years he’s come in with a great attitude, a team-first attitude. He’s doing a nice job on the field right now.”
What’s up with? Stevie Wilkerson is back in the Orioles’ camp on a minor league contract after missing last season because of a broken left ring finger. Wilkerson was pushed into center-field duty in 2019, and he’ll move around in the spring.
“He’s going to play infield and outfield,” Hyde said. “I’m going to give him an opportunity to play all over the field. I told him that a few days ago. He’s going to be playing three spots in the outfield, and he’s going to be playing multiple spots in the infield.”
In 134 major league games, Wilkerson has played every position but catcher and first base.
What’s what? Davis is the Orioles’ player representative, and he describes the relationship between the owners and players as “divisive.”
“There’s a lot of division between players and owners right now,” he said. “It’s obvious in the media. It’s obvious in almost everything that you read. It’s frustrating as a veteran player because I feel like our game could be in such a better place than it is right now.
“The only way for that to happen is for both sides to come together … There’s got to be some give-and-take from both sides. Will that happen? I don’t know. Only time will tell.”
What’s the word? “It’s going to look different. That’s all I’m going to say.”-Davis on the mechanical adjustments to his swing.
What’s the number? 12. That’s how many games will be broadcast on 105.7 The Fan and the Orioles Radio Network this spring. The first game will be Tuesday against the New York Yankees at 1:05 p.m.
Other games are: March 4 (Boston), March 6 (Detroit), March 9 (at Minnesota), March 15 (Pittsburgh), March 21 (Minnesota), March 23 (Tampa Bay), March 24 (at Boston), March 25 (Pittsburgh), March 26 (at Yankees), March 27 (at Atlanta) and March 28 (Pittsburgh).
Games March 6, 25 and 27 will begin at 6:05 p.m. The March 26 game starts at 6:35 p.m. Other games are at 1:05 p.m.
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View Comments
Of course the relationship is divisive...the owners are not too happy to shell out $161 million contracts and get absolutely nothing in return!
I am predicting Crash will bat right-handed this season. He did say his swing is going to look different. Plus, he realizes that switching sides will be his only chance to improve offensively. LOL
Hilarious. Another year, another shortstop, another Davis approach...
Davis has never shown any remorse for taking 161 mil and being the worse player in baseball over the last three years and Hyde’s comments about Davis are embarrassing. He’s a nice guy Hyde but that won’t win games
The last thing the Orioles need is for Davis to miraculously find his stroke and become a prominent contributor this season. Less seen of him the better(yes I know he's a very nice guy). For Hyde to say he's gonna get plenty of at bats is downright frightening. Unfortunately another "nice guy" has no business making this team--Stevie. Everything was great to read about Galvis except his word usage of "so far". Hmmm. That's enough of my negativism. Bring on the "Youngens"
Hey if Davis can turn around and wallop 50+ taters again ... screw the long term plan ... welcome back big fella!
Or any games going to be televised?
I think there will be a few, but it hasn’t been announced.
Seriously, something of a logjam in the OF/1B & your going to ad Wilkerson to the mix, WTH, nice guy, we have better OFers & better utility players, we don’t need him & owe him nothing...c’mon man...go O’s...
Ditto that.
I find it hard to believe that MASN is not televising any Oriole games this spring. One more way to turn off the fan base.
The Phillies are televising 12 of their spring training games - the Orioles, zero.
Difference is the Phillies games are broadcast on NBC SPORTS Philadelphia which is independent of the Phillies. The cost of the production is borne by the station. The Orioles ( and Nationals) TV rights are owned by MASN, which is majority owned by the Orioles. So in the case of Spring Training, it costs the Orioles ( through MASN) more money to carry both Orioles and Nationals games than what they get back in revenue. MASN doesn’t have the financial power of Comcast
I appreciate the information you have provided. But it seems that, even if it isn't immediately profitable, televising a few spring training games would be a worthwhile PR investment in terms of promoting fan interest in the team, something that might payoff in the long run. Unfortunately, this seems to be the same attitude by ownership that has led to the Orioles having the lowest payroll in all of MLB.
They may end televising a few games later. If for no other reason than to get people to buy the MASN app that should be available soon. The Orioles don’t always communicate their plans right away. Remember FANFEST? Word leaked out that it was cancelled but it was several weeks later when they announced they were having a caravan to replace it. If they had announced it right away, they would have avoided the bad publicity. Looking at the schedule a lot of weekday day games which don’t get a large audience. My guess is they will carry the night game against Atlanta on the 17th and the Yankees on the 20th.
At what point do you just shake your head and laugh when Davis announces changes to his swing. He’s been making such claims for a few years now. However when you read between the lines on the reporting about him it’s obvious he hasn’t done much to change anything because the way he did it .“used” to work. I think this year’s comments by Davis are just more of the same. He’ll take his money, pretend to be working on changes and cheerlead from the bench. Not too tough for $23 million a year. Not much shame on his part about money for nothing. As for the O’s payroll, don’t be surprised if they get sold. Which would not be a bad thing, assuming that new ownership can ‘t be worse than the old(a pretty low bar).
Right on
Disappointed that we can't watch a spring training game on TV. But can't wait until Tuesday to hear "play ball".
You’re right, but really, who wants to watch Mancini play his first game since coming back from cancer. Certainly no one on this site.
:)...LMAO...go O’s...