The lease vote is today, there is MASN news, and more in today’s Bird Droppings
Happy Monday, Camden Chatters! Today is the day. The Maryland Stadium Authority and Board of Public Works will both meet today to vote on the updated lease agreement between the Orioles and the state of Maryland. After a long, drawn-out saga over this lease, it seems that the end is finally in sight.
Of course, I won’t count any chickens before they hatch. We’ve been given assurances before that a deal was either done or imminent and we know how that worked out. But I have the feeling that the third time is the charm. I’m feeling pretty good about the idea that by this evening the Orioles will be locked into a lease in Baltimore for 15-30 more years.
In other off-field news, it seems that the Orioles and Nationals are finally in agreement about something related to the MASN suit. It took years for the two teams to come to a court-mandated agreement on TV rights from 2012-2016 so this new agreement feels like light speed.
After the Nationals filed suit against the Orioles related to a November ruling regarding the 2017-2021 rights, it appears the Orioles are ready to agree to pay the amount required. I stopped paying attention to this MASN business long ago but it seems like progress that the two sides are finally in agreement over something. There is no word on how the MASN rights will break down for 2022 and beyond.
Links
Orioles lease: Here’s details of the new deal – The Baltimore Banner
This is a few days old but provides a good summary of what we know about the Camden Yards lease deal ahead of the votes today. I sure am ready for this ridiculousness to be put to bed for a few years.
Peter Schmuck: Impertinent questions about the Orioles’ new stadium lease – BaltimoreBaseball.com
The updated lease deal looks better to me than what was nixed last week, but Peter Schmuck still think it reeks and gives the Orioles all the power.
Looking back at Opening Day roster and impactful exclusions – MASN Roch
It’s hard to remember that Yennier Cano wasn’t on the Opening Day roster in 2023. I hope he got Keegan Akin a very nice baby gift.
Orioles place three players on All-MLB teams – MLB.com
The “All MLB Team” concept has only existed since 2019 and this is the first time any Orioles have been named to it. Adley Rutschman, Félix Bautista, and Kyle Bradish were all given honors. And they looked good!
All suited up. pic.twitter.com/BDw8kDUiJX
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) December 17, 2023
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have two birthday buddies who combined to play in 69 games for the Orioles. Jeremy Accardo (42) had one forgettable season with the Orioles in 2011. He pitched in 31 games in relief with a 5.73 ERA. And Gino Cimoli (b. 1929, d. 2011) had 61 plate appearances across 38 games for the 1964 team.
On this day in 2011, the Orioles signed Endy Chávez to a one-year deal. Chávez appeared in 64 games with the 2012 Orioles. He had an OPS+ of 40.
In 2013, the Orioles traded Danny Valencia to the Royals and got David Lough in return. Lough appeared in 196 games with the Orioles from 2014-15. His favorite food is kale.