Orioles GM Mike Elias addressed several topics in an interview on 105.7 The Fan radio tonight, with MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko (Twitter links) and MLB.com’s Joe Trezza (Twitter links) among the reporters who shared some highlights. Elias noted that the Orioles’ winter shopping list includes pitching, veteran middle infield help, and a defensive shortstop. Such a focus on the middle infield doesn’t necessarily indicate a change from the combination of shortstop Jonathan Villar and second baseman Hanser Alberto, though given Villar’s big $10.4MM projected arbitration salary has led to a lot of speculation that the O’s will look to trade or non-tender him. While not mentioning any names, Elias said the club has to make “tough decisions” in regards to whether or not to tender contracts to all seven of their arb-eligible players.
In other general transactional news, Elias again stated that his front office is open to listening on trade offers for any player as Baltimore continues its rebuild. This includes Trey Mancini, though Elias said “we expect him to stay here,” noting that he hopes Mancini could be signed to a long-term contract.
More from Charm City…
- Gabriel Ynoa re-signed with the Orioles the same day that he was outrighted off their 40-man roster last offseason, though another quick reunion doesn’t appear likely this winter, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko writes. It isn’t to say that Ynoa might not return on another minor league deal, but the righty will first see if he can land a Major League contract — possibly a tall order after a 2019 season that saw Ynoa post a 5.61 ERA, 2.58 K/BB rate, and 5.4 K/9 over 110 1/2 innings for Baltimore, while surrendering a whopping 29 home runs. The O’s may also look for more accomplished pitching options before maybe circling back to Ynoa later in the offseason.
- From that same piece, Kubatko also reports that the Orioles had John Mallee as a candidate to join the team’s coaching staff before Mallee accepted a position with the Angels as their new assistant hitting coach. Mallee had some significant ties to the Orioles, as he and manager Brandon Hyde both worked together on the Cubs’ coaching staff under Joe Maddon, and Mallee was the Astros’ hitting coach in 2013-14 when Baltimore GM Mike Elias was working in Houston’s front office.
the radio station is 106.7 not 105.7
Mr Simpson we all have nosebleeds
Maryland is 105.7 The Fan. Not 106.7
Wrong. The Fan is a Baltimore radio station, and it is 105.7.
the more you know! thank you for correcting me.
Wrong…..Listen to Orioles Hot Stove live presented by Geico on 105.7 The Fan. Just watched the video feed on 105.7.
Nothing unexpected here. Elias is entering Year 2 of a 4 or 5 year re-build.
Be smart Mike and err on the side of building a rock-solid foundation across the board.
Ynoa is praying for a miracle looking for a ML contract. He’s lucky he racked up so much service time w the O’s last year
I bet Ynoa signs with the As and becomes awesome. It would just make sense.
he would improve any of the PIT, DET, or BAL rotations for sure. doubt they’d offer him anything above the Major leagie minimum if a Major League contract at all.
Gabriel Ynoa pitched for the Orioles last season? Why does he improve any of those rotations? He couldn’t even stay in the Baltimore rotation last year. That’s just a nonsense comment. Ynoa is a fringe major league long man/spot starter.
cant believe Mallee, Young, and Kapler could all have jobs again within a few weeks of the season’s end. foolish choices.
Young took a BULLPEN job. A demotion. John Mallee? ASSISTANT hitting coach. A demotion.
they were so incredibly terrible, a single demotion within a year seems veru generous.
Any chance they sign schoop and trade villar?
probably not
Mancini would be a great pick up for the Braves
Nothing new here other than Mike Elias went on a Baltimore radio show — and said nothing new
We better not non tender Villar to save money
I’m all for the rebuild and the elias tenure but give us fans something to root for in the meantime
M’s fan here. Be careful what you wish for
Could see the Giants and Orioles make a trade revolving Villar. Giants have lots of pieces O’s may want.
I would love to hear the “lots” in the “lots of pieces”
I sure liked Mancini more before I looked at his defensive metrics. His glove is a liability. Everyone who has paid attention to the market these last few years know that all bat no glove guys are worth even less these days.
Villar for 10 mil… ish, rebuilding team can prob spend that money better elsewhere in my not so humble opinion
Any team that acquires Dylan Bundy is going to be really glad they did. I believe he can be a 3.0-4.0 WAR starter on a contending team.