We’re inching closer to spring training
Happy Monday, Camden Chatters! If you, like me, are back to work today for the first time since before Christmas Eve, my condolences. It’s never easy to jump back into things after almost two weeks off, and I, for one, am not even sure I remember how to do my job. You know what would be nice? If the Orioles broke up the back-to-work blahs by signing another pitcher.
Am I greedy? The Orioles have done a lot this offseason to change their fortunes after the letdown of the 2025 season. They’ve been one of the most active clubs and have added to their starting rotation, infield, outfield, and bullpen. Mike Elias has done things we never expected. But I’m not being greedy.
The Orioles were quiet this weekend, but another AL East team made a move. The defending American League champion Blue Jays signed Japanese player Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal. Okamoto will play third base for the Jays. That position was manned by Addison Barger and Ernie Clement in 2024. Clement is a defensive whiz, but neither he nor Barger is much of a hitter. Okamoto will bring power to the position, but it remains to be seen how he’ll adjust to Major League pitching.
Okamoto is another addition for the Jays, who were moments away from winning the World Series in 2025. They have also added pitchers Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and Tyler Rogers. They have also been rumored to be interested in Kyle Tucker and in bringing back Bo Bichette. I sure hope that neither of those players ends up in Toronto. They’re already good enough.
It’s no secret that the AL East is a tough place to play. Three of the six AL playoff teams came out of the division and they’ll all be tough again this year. That’s why I’m not being greedy when I say the Orioles need to go get another pitcher!
Links
Wondering when Orioles can generate more excitement over a prospect promotion – MASN Sports
The only prospect that could make a big splash in 2025 is Enrique Bradfield, per Roch Kubatko. I would love to be proven wrong, but I just don’t have a lot of hope for Bradfield. Maybe that’s not fair of me.
To help the Orioles, Shane Baz hopes to reintroduce a pitch he couldn’t locate in 2025 – The Baltimore Banner
Shane Baz met with the media on Friday, so all of your favorite outlets have a story about him. Andy Kostka chose to focus on Baz’s quotes about how he lost his slider last year and hopes the Orioles coaches can help him get that back.
Good Morning, Birdland: A Baltimore Orioles Podcast (CamdenCast)
Don’t forget to check out Mark Brown’s podcast, which is new on Monday mornings during the offseason. This link goes to Amazon, but you can find it on any of the usual podcast locations.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have four Orioles birthday buddies. Jose Iglesias, who was very good for the Orioles in the COVID-shortened 2020, turns 36. The late Ryan Minor was born on this day in 1974. He passed due to cancer in 2023. Ron Kittle, Mark Brown’s archnemesis, is 68. And old-timey Oriole Fred Marsh was born on this day in 1924. He was a utility player for the 1955-56 team.
On this day in 2006, the Orioles signed Jeff Conine to a one-year contract. Conine had previously played with the Orioles from 1999-2003. Conine was a fan favorite during a long stretch of bad baseball by the Orioles.
In 2007, the Orioles signed Jon Knott. There is no reason for anyone to remember Jon Knott. He played seven games for the Orioles that year and never made the majors again. But I will always remember him because if you were a very online Orioles fan that year, you probably talked about Knott and how he could thrive in Baltimore. Why? No idea. He was already 28 years old and had 12 games of Major League experience. He had been an undrafted free agent! It was really hard being a diehard Orioles fan in 2007. Jay Payton played left field! Ok, enough trauma dumping for now.
Category: General Sports
