The Matt Bowman era of Orioles baseball continues, another minor signing, and a chat with Mike Snyder.
Good Morning Birdland!
Things have quieted down around MLB these last few days. Moves are happening, and even a significant name in Christian Walker found a home (Astros), but some of the bigger dominoes are still standing. That includes players that have been linked to the Orioles this offseason, like Corbin Burnes and Jack Flaherty. Are the Orioles seriously “in” on those sorts of arms at this point? My gut says no, and to instead expect their major spending to be behind them.
In that vein, Mike Elias pulled off a few fringy deals on Friday.
First, he signed outfielder Jordyn Adams to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. A first-round pick of the Angels in 2018, Adams has 28 games of big league experience and high-end sprint speed. He might figure into some fourth outfielder discussions, or could just be decent depth in Norfolk.
Later, he got pitcher Matt Bowman back on board with an minor league contract that includes a spring invite. The 33-year-old Bowman did well for the Orioles in 2024, accumulating a 3.45 ERA over 15.2 innings, but it wasn’t with overwhelming stuff. He gives the club more depth in the ‘pen.
Maybe Elias does have one more big trick up his sleeve this winter, but that would not match his style. He tends to build his rosters to be “good enough” in the offseason, and then allow the season itself to play out. As it goes, he makes adjustments. Sure, there is still a glaring hole atop the rotation, but maybe Kyle Bradish will recover well form Tommy John, or maybe a team that thinks of themselves as contender now will fall apart during the summer. That could make pitchers available that are not on the market right now.
As the Orioles sit, they do feel like a good team. The offense is deep and should be at least as good as it was in 2024. The rotation is in a decent spot in terms of overall quality, although it needs an ace. And the bullpen seems solid, depending on how well Félix Bautista bounces back. These guys are good. They could be better. But that might not matter to Elias at this juncture.
Links
Orioles stocking up on players with major league experience for camp invites | Baltimore Baseball
It’s important to stock up on competition, even if the guys you sign aren’t going to transform your roster. It at least gives the appearance that everyone’s on level footing.
Because You Asked – The Final Reckoning | Roch Kubatko
Not a ton of new info in here, other than that Roch expects the Orioles to keep adding to the major league bullpen. That could really mean they chase anyone.
In scouting ballplayers, does character matter? | Steve Melewski
Yes. But obviously it’s not everything.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Asher Wojciechowski turns 36 today. Between the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the big righty had a 5.51 ERA over 119.1 total innings with the O’s.
- Taylor Teagarden is 41. A backup catcher throughout his career, Teagarden spent parts of two seasons in Baltimore from 2012-13. That included a walk-off home run in his debut with the club.
- LaTroy Hawkins is 52 years old. The journeyman reliever played 21 seasons in the bigs. That include 2006 in Baltimore, where he had a 4.48 ERA over 60 appearances.
- Andy Van Slyke turns 64. He played in just 17 games for the Orioles during the 1995 season, and was then traded to the Pirates.
- Roger McDowell celebrates his 64th as well. He pitched out of the Orioles bullpen during the 1996 season, which would prove to be his final MLB campaign.
- Elliott Maddox is 77 today. His stay with the Orioles lasted just 49 games during the 1977 season.
This day in history
1977 – The Orioles lose free agent pitcher Ross Grimsley to the Expos. The lefty would turn in the best season of his career in ‘78, winning 20 games and posting a 3.05 ERA.
1995 – David Cone turns down the Orioles and instead returns to the Yankees on a three-year, $18 million deal.
1995 – The Orioles do land one big free agent on this day, signing second baseman Roberto Alomar to a three-year, $18 million contract.