A minor move, Elias speaks at the Caravan, and Holliday hopes to bounce back.
Good Morning Birdland!
The month of February has arrived. It’s a big one on the baseball calendar. It sees pitchers and catchers report to camp, spring training kick off in full, and the playing of the first spring games. Regardless of a team’s ambitions in the season ahead, this time of year is a sacred and exciting one.
Last year, the Orioles had an even more notable February than normal. They traded for a legitimate ace in Corbin Burnes, something the organization had been chasing for 20 years. Confidence was at all-time high. Then just days later they announced that both Kyle Bradish and John Means would miss the start of the season with elbow injuries, a crushing blow.
Hopefully we aren’t in for that sort of emotional roller coaster this time around. Adding an ace would be cool! The injury stuff can stay away though.
Just as a reminder, pitchers and catchers report on February 13th. The first full squad workout will be the 18th. And the first spring game is against the Pirates on the 22nd at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. It’s all so close!
We do not know any details on the games that will be broadcast yet. Last spring, MASN broadcasted just seven games, while the radio team did more. You combine that with coverage from some of the teams that the Orioles played, and about half of the games had some sort of broadcast. It’s a pittance, but it’s something.
Whatever happens, many of us will be grateful for spring to arrive at all. The cold weather will move on out. The Orioles will re-enter out lives. And all will be right with the world.
Well, at least when it comes to sports.
Links
Orioles Acquire Luis Vazquez, Designate Emmanuel Rivera | MLB Trade Rumors
Rivera absolutely raked as an Oriole last year. Over 27 games he posted a .313/.370/.578 slash over 27 games last year. Maybe he will be back. The MLBTR article explains that the $1 million salary he now holds could lead to him going unclaimed. The Orioles could then stash him in Triple-A if he was open to it. If he goes unclaimed AND rejects the assignment, he would forfeit the salary. It all feels a bit icky. For Rivera’s sake, I hope he gets claimed and can find some big league playing time in 2025.
It’s been a year of change, as promised, since David Rubenstein’s Orioles takeover | The Baltimore Banner
Things are definitely different. Elias is being more aggressive than ever before. Money does not seem to be as much of a concern. Of course, there is further room to improve. Thankfully, this ownership groups feels more willing to support those needs than the last one did.
The Orioles have been willing to spend, but they’ve avoided big risks | Yahoo! Sports
One of the many articles to include Mike Elias’ quotes from the Birdland Caravan. There is nothing new in here for the sicko Oriole fans that I know read this site.
Holliday’s offseason had 1 goal: Bounce back in ‘25 | Orioles.com
For me, this is THE story going into 2025. The Orioles are going to go as far as their offense takes them. That will require more from Jackson Holliday. He does not need to be an all-star yet, but he needs to be better. If the past can serve as a guide post of any kind, there is reason to believe he will follow the steps of other young Orioles that have struggled before him and then gotten better in year two.
Thankful, grateful, hopeful on my final day at MASNsports.com | Steve Melewski
Melewski departs MASN, but it sounds like he may have some other opportunities lined up. Hopefully that is the case, and we continue to get some of the minor league insights and interviews that were his trademark.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Joe Mahoney is 38 years old. He played in two games for the Orioles in 2012.
- Rich Becker is 53 today. An outfielder, he spent part of the 1998 season in Baltimore.
- Kent Mercker turns 57. The southpaw had a 14-game stint with the Orioles in 1996.
- The late Paul Blair (b. 1944, d. 2013) was born on this day. A team Hall of Famer, Blair spent 13 seasons with the Orioles from 1964-76, won two World Series with them, and was an eight-time Gold Glover in centerfield. After his playing career, Blair stuck around town, settling in Woodstock, Maryland and ofter serving as a spring training instructor for the O’s.
This day in history
2024 – The Orioles and Brewers complete a big trade. Corbin Burnes heads to Baltimore in exchange for prospects Joey Ortiz and DL Hall plus a Compensation Round A pick in the 2024 draft. It’s a deal that ends up working out for all parties.