“I’m now 75 years old. It’s unlikely that I’ll be, you know, doing this for 20 more years,” Orioles majority owner David Rubenstein said in a recent interview with NPR (hat tip to Rich Dubroff of Baltimore Baseball). “So I’ve got to speed up the effort to get [to] a World Series a lot sooner than maybe some younger owners would.”
This might be one of the clearer indications yet that the Orioles are in for their busiest offseasons in a long time, especially since the team is now coming off a pair of playoff appearances with nary a single win from five total postseason games. This is Rubenstein’s first winter since his ownership bought the team, and as GM Mike Elias implied during his end-of-season press conference, the O’s will have a lot more to spend than in recent years during the club’s rebuild, when the Angelos family was still in charge.
More from around the AL East….
- Sticking with the Orioles, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko writes that the O’s “had no interest” in right-hander Domingo German in the past, which runs contrary to a report from the New York Post’s Mark W. Sanchez from last January. German signed with the Pirates on a minors contract last winter and had only a 7.84 ERA in seven appearances and 20 2/3 innings on the big league roster in 2024. Pittsburgh outrighted German off its 40-man roster in September and he elected free agency earlier this week. Given his poor recent results and his troubled off-the-field history, it remains to be seen if any MLB teams will take a flier on German for another minor league deal.
- The top Rays story remains the team’s likely need for a new temporary home to begin the 2025 season, as Tropicana Field sustained heavy damage due to Hurricane Milton. John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times shares some details about the insurance policies attached to the stadium, and the possibility that the city of St. Petersburg (which is funding the repairs) might simply decide that repairing the Trop isn’t worth it since the Rays’ new ballpark is set to open in 2028. “We’re going to try to figure out every avenue, both through insurance and otherwise, to try to make sure the Rays have a place to play in St. Petersburg. But we’re going to make sure that it’s a financially responsible decision,” city council member Copley Gerdes said. Romano opines that Orlando might check off the most boxes as the Rays’ interim home, as the team could play at the 9500-seat stadium on the ESPN Wide World Of Sports complex at Walt Disney World.
- The Red Sox promoted Kyle Boddy to the role of director of baseball science on an interim basis, the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier reports (via X). The position appears to be a newly-created job within the Sox front office, as Brad Alberts is credited in the team’s directory as the “team lead” of baseball sciences, but there is no director position. Boddy founded the data-based Driveline Baseball training facility in 2012, and then moved into an official role with a big league club when he was the Reds’ pitching coordinator for the majority of the 2020-21 seasons. The Red Sox brought Boddy aboard last January as an advisor to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.
ibuititnoonecame
Hey Red Sox spend on a few stars stop the stupidity
MafiaBass
They don’t need that much. One front line starter and definitely one, maybe two right handed bats, neither of which would have to be starters. The defense should fall into place as much as it will with Story back.
I really thought they should have signed Chapman in the offseason and moved Raffy to first. As long as they’re committed to Devers at 3B, the defense will be a crap shoot.
mikedickinson
Devers wasn’t the problem on defense. Up the middle, they are a train wreck.
GASoxFan
Let’s be honest, the entire infield had issues on defense
Fever Pitch Guy
GaSox – Not Story.
Rsox2Pen
The middle infield minus second base is one of the best in baseball when all are healthy . I firmly disagree
GASoxFan
Fever, problem was story wasn’t playing almost all year. So his position became a problem
Fever Pitch Guy
Pen – Coulda just said shortstop then ;o)
Fever Pitch Guy
GASox – True, but I believe we were talking about right now going into next year.
GASoxFan
Could be? I was looking at it as a commentary on 2024, but, I misread the room a good bit lately.
gbs42
RSox,
“The middle infield minus second base” is just shortstop. Story and Rafaela weren’t that good last year.
Fever Pitch Guy
GASox – Sometimes I misread the whole building. LOL!
letitbelowenstein
They really need to dangle Rafaela out there to see if a trade can be made. He could bring a decent return and they’d still have Story at short and Duran, Abreu and either Anthony or a free agent in the outfield. Plus Refsnyder if he decides to stay on.
Blackpink in the area
What is the point of being 75 years old and mega rich? It’s nice that this guy acknowledges that to some extent but you are still gonna die like everyone else buddy. Some people are in debt their entire life and this guy is hoarding money like he’s gonna find the fountain of youth one day. It’s silly.
alwaysgo4two
You don’t get to his level by spending irresponsibly. The article says he wants to see a winner in his lifetime. Let’s see what he does. Hoarding money? He’s no doubt created thousands of jobs in his lifetime. It’s his money. It could be worse, he could be Bob Nutting.
Blackpink in the area
Creating jobs? That’s nonsense. Every dollar he takes from the world is one less for everyone else. Of course he’s hoarding money if he didn’t he wouldn’t be 75 and mega rich.
Poolhalljunkies
Bp “Every dollar he takes” Thats a ridiculous statement. Money is MADE every single day and not some perishable item or some rare commodity that once its gone there is no more. He and anyone else can do whatever they want with money they made and making money is not exclusive so the “hoarding” statement is just false if youd like to spread wealth how about you make some money of your own and give that away
metsin4
You looking for a handout? It’s on you if you are in debt your whole life. Make better decisions.
Blackpink in the area
I never said I was in debt I said others are. And this piece of work is just banking money until he dies. It’s pathetic. Weird how 2 Mets fans are upset by my comments. Weird.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
“Banking money until he dies”? What do you think that money does when it’s in the bank? It gets loaned out for houses and small businesses, medium businesses and whatever. No rich guy keeps his money under a mattress LOL. And if he did he wouldn’t be rich for long.
case
And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Blackpink in the area
I think that’s a biblical way of saying this guy is a dope. If so thumbs up for that.
I find it weird how many people defend guys like this. Like this is you or anyone in your family.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Blackpink, I’m Definitely not defending that guy, the Orioles owner. Don’t know him or his family.
But absolutely opposing YOUR way of thinking for sure.
But also hoping this rattles something within you so you’ll understand money is not a finite pie where everyone gets a certain slice whether big or small.
And also hoping you don’t dislike or disrespect someone just because they have money. That’s all.
Just giving my opinion. Bottom line and it goes without saying, that it’s no better than yours.
Blackpink in the area
Did you read the article? The guy made a stupid comment. He’s 75 years old and he makes a comment that implies that suddenly he’s realized he can’t live forever and money isn’t that important. As if it took him all these years to figure that out.
These kind of people don’t exist in many countries. They simply don’t allow it. And I am not talking about communism.
Lindor's Bodyguard
@BP, Are you okay?
It really seems that you are not okay.
MattStats5
I think you missed the point…he’s not hoarding money. He implied that he’s going to invest heavily in the major league payroll.
Blackpink in the area
He’s hoarding money that’s already happened. The point is he makes that statement as if he’s finally realizing his not going to live forever. He’s freaking 75…….
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Maybe he wants his family to have money for generations to come
If I was mega rich I would want my kids and grandkids and great grandkids to be set for life
Blackpink in the area
Maybe your kids should work for it. And maybe NOBODY needs insane sums of money like this guy has.
metsin4
What in your opinion is the cut off? I’m sure starving people in Africa would think your hoarding an insane amount of money or have e much food. Meanwhile look at rich people like Elon Musk that is making advances science and technology that helps everyone in the world. That doesn’t happen without him having deep pockets.
King Floch
Who cares at the end of the day? It’s money, he gets to decide what happens to it. If he want to make sure the next 10 generations of his family never have to work a day in their lives, that is his right.
Blackpink in the area
Yes it is his right. It’s also my right to say the world will be better off without him.
Tom
What’s he supposed to do? Give you his money? You have no idea what he does with his money and, in our country, it’s his right to make as much money as he wants/can, and then to do whatever he wants with that money.
Blackpink in the area
Is that what makes America great? People acquiring unheard of sums of wealth and dying with it?
I never understand why people defend guys like this. As if you and them have anything in common.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
Is it a crime to make a ton of money by yourself? Are you automatically the bad guy when you become rich?
There are bad rich people (especially in politics) but there are good rich people like rubenstein who bought the orioles from a cheap owner and will help the city of Baltimore
letitbelowenstein
What is the point of being 84 years old and putting an addition onto your house? But my neighbor did it last year.
PiratesFan1981
I wonder if they would trade Mayo to Pittsburgh for one of our SP depth (outside of Skenes). Jones, Keller, Falter, and Ortiz would be likely names to be thrown out there. Pitching prospects like Chandler, Harrington, Ashcraft, and Solometo could be mentions as well. I am spit balling here and not specifically saying all these names will be needed to make Mayo a Pirate. But Pittsburgh does have pitching depth at the majors and minors that Baltimore could use. I’d be upset if they traded Jarred Jones for Mayo, but that could quickly change if Mayo helps get the Pirates over the offensive hump.
pohle
my thought process is the o’s burned up a lot of prospect depth already. i know, i know, they still have too many good young players, but norby mightve helped them down the stretch. at the very least they are gonna try to keep all their options open and mayo specifically has a very high ceiling, and lines up with o’hearn and mountcastle’s fa timelines pretty well. as Rube said, there is no better time to win than now, so maybe he will spend some money
C Yards Jeff
Pirates are trying to compete now. Mayo may or may not be legit. Don’t know. Orioles Mouncastle is a better fit.
Samuel
LOL
Jeff;
You’ve been trying to get rid of Mountcastle for 2+ years now. Have to admit, I’m following your lead.
O’s are too LH on O. With a bigger budget hope they can resign Santander. He wants to stay.
–
Let me be the first……
The shortcoming is NOT pitching. They gave up 3 runs
in 2 games this postseason and lost both. It’s the other
4 components a baseball team: has to do on the field:
1) hitting; 2) defense; 3) running the bases well: and
4) baseball IQ when making split-second decisions on
the field during games. Part of that’s them being a young team. They need veteran team leaders. McCann, Urías, Mateo, Mullins, O’Hearn; and Santander all need to be retained.
ohyeadam
He’s letting Burnes/Santa know he wants them back, it’s time to win. Get Eovaldi and your favorite reliever too
C Yards Jeff
I like resigning Burnes. Os need that TOR guy.
Eovaldi would be nice but I think FO already has a plan in place for rest of rotation in 2025. It’s Kremer, Suarez, Eflin and unfortunately Rogers bridging the gap until mid season returns of Bradish, Wells and Means. Fingers crossed in Rogers getting things figured out.
From the bullpen. Every year is a bit of a crap shoot for every team. That said; hope Bautista us as nasty as ever. But getting Bradish, Wells and Means back could be huge in getting BP depth from within.
BashBroJoe
Means is a free agent big dawg.
C Yards Jeff
I wouldn’t refer to Means as a big dawg by no means. Pretty sure he’ll be in black-n-orange in 25.
dcfan78
Means is not coming back. Injury track record is bad, maybe he’s willing to resign for way less on a proven it contract. At best he’s a 4/5 starter now
C Yards Jeff
Agreed. 2 TJ surgeries in quick order. I’m thinking everyone passes on him so he ends up back in Baltimore and more likely in a BP role. But 4/5 is a possibility.
Samuel
Jeff;
O’s are putting a lot of confidence in pitching coach Drew French. He got Akin back after a terrible 2023. Brought Kremer along after a slow start. Can’t believe he had Soto pitching well at the end of the season – actually gave up no runs in his last 5 appearances – was a basket case when they got him from the Phillies. No one thought Suárez would be anything more than the 3rd or 4th set-up guy. And he’s slowly bringing along McDermott and Povich, the 2 young starters hope will be starting mainstays in the next few years. Add in that I’m hardly giving up on Rodgers, he’s still only 26. Believe at the very least they can make him into decent LH relief pitcher.
Teams can’t buy pitching for more than a year or so. Pitchers work with their coaching staffs nearly every day of the season. If the coaches can’t develop their own pitchers they sure aren’t going to keep veteran pitchers that are brought in tuned and producing.
FatChance65
I’m not an expert, but couldn’t they make Tropicana structurally safe and play games without the roof until the new stadium is ready? Not sure if the catwalks could stay or not, and They could install tarps for rain days.
TerryTurnbuckle
No
FatChance65
Turnbuckle—Now that I think of it, the playing field probably has zero drainage capability. Even if the everything else was stable, it wouldn’t work. Like I said, I’m not educated in structural engineering.
KingKen
That’s exactly the problem. There’s no damage system for the field so with no roof when it rains there’s nowhere for the water to go.
Fever Pitch Guy
Ken – What is a damage system?
LordD99
Drainage.
Canuckleball
It’s not about structural safety. It’s drainage. There is none. The first rain and the players would be playing in ankle deep water.
There’s no simple way to fix it.
getrealgone2
No drainage system and it rains a lot.
GASoxFan
A drainage system is probably much cheaper and easier than a new roof system.
Switch to sod field.
Install some drainage to sumps with pumps to remove the water. That’s over simplifying, but, it’s very doable.
Fever Pitch Guy
GaSox – Trop was built on a concrete slab. Drainage can’t happen.
GASoxFan
Sure it can fever, just takes engineering.
For example, you can raise the playing field surface by 2 feet. That gives you space for dirt for the sod field, and ability to run pipes under it for water to taper into, and, perimeter French drains near the OF walls.
Similarly, there would be opportunities to remove the front rows of seats in each section to again, raise the level of the “floor” to the same as the former row number two. Again, piping installed French drain style to catch water cascading down the concrete terraces.
The water collected in those pipes can be routed to tanks, with sump pumps, so on so forth.
Anything can be done. And before poo-pooing about relatively short OF walls, wouldn’t really be shorter than most MiLB parks, so there’s that. Heck, lots of parks have short walls in foul territory, so, it’s not that big a stretch
It’s an imperfect solution, but you’re only talking 3 years of lifespan. And it’d be much faster and I’d wager cheaper than the roof situation which is probably structurally compromised beyond having its surface ripped off
whyhayzee
Dig a giant deep hole at second base and don’t tell the Yankees about it?
Rsox
The last truly “busy” off-season i can remember for the Orioles was following the 1995 season the O’s that winter added Roberto Alomar, B.J. Surhoff, David Wells, Roger McDowell, Kent Mercker, Mike Devereux and Bill Ripken or the Peter-Angelos-last-ditch-effert-to-get-back-to-the-playoffs winter after the ’98 season which saw them sign the ill-fated Albert Belle contract as well as Charles Johnson, Will Clark, Delino DeShields, Mike Timlin and Mike Fetters.
Wonder what they will do this winter if we are trying to speed up the clock…
King Floch
During the 2003 (IIRC) offseason, the O’s signed Miguel Tejada, Javy Lopez, and Rafael Palmeiro, all of whom were big FA bats at the time, and made a very serious run at Vlad Guerrero as well before he signed with the Angels.
Rsox
Unfortunately, they finally got Guerrero about nine years too late…
jbigz12
Sammy Sosa too. And Derek Lee….
Dorothy_Mantooth
Just get some plastic drop clothes and a bunch of Flex Seal. That should do the trick.
Bart Harley Jarvis
Yes, Phil Swift could solve the leaky roof problem on a Saturday morning!
fljay73
Orlando seems such a logical plan B if the decision is made fixing the Trop isn’t worth it. Also playing a few “home series” in Durham along with the majority in Orlando would be another good idea.
inkstainedscribe
Outdoor games in July and August will be brutal. They may have to move the start times to 11 am, as some minor league affiliates do.
metsin4
No they need to move the whole season to Durham. North Carolina needs MLB games and not just 100 minors teams.
ohyeadam
They should play all their home games at whichever park is available/nearest/scheduled against to their next away series. Yeah it would suck for their local fans and the players to not have a home park. They’d make more in gate than any of these options with better clubhouse and at least they’re not playing on turf in a dome that balls get lost in
GASoxFan
Players are entitled to some type of home life for parts of the season too….
ohyeadam
It’s not ideal. Makes me wonder how many of them lost their own homes in the storms
Ranger Danger19
I hope the O’s go nuts this offseason and sign Burnes, Soto and Snell. It’s a great ballpark and a city in need of something good to happen. Let it rip Rubenstein
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
“So I’ve got to speed up the effort to get [to] a World Series a lot sooner than maybe some younger owners would.”
Rubes is going to re-double the effort !!!!
The Emperor is most displeased!
You can do that by firing
Elias
Ziggy the Super Computer
Hyde
Re-Hire Duquette!!! At least he won some playoff games
Ranger Danger19
Bad take. Elias built this thing. Without him you would still be the fighting Showalters
King Floch
Duquette created the mess that Elias had to clean up after 2018.
There’s a good reason why DD has not been given an MLB GM gig since he left Baltimore.
jbigz12
Duquette did some good things for us. Hard to compete when your directive from ownership is to dump comp picks w/ underwater contracts and not sign IFA’s.
Elias is way better for sure but nothing too bad to say about Duke.
olmtiant
Well it’s nice to see Redsox bringing another advisor.. what’s the old saying?? To many Chiefs not enough…Guardians….
Fever Pitch Guy
Olm – It’s like having 3 jockeys on one horse. Eventually the horse is gonna say enough of all the whipping and ignore it all.
olmtiant
Speaking of.. breeders cup coming up!! Went to two of them when at Churchill downs … great time.. for true horse players.. to your example.. Dave Feldman( old sun times) horse racing handicapper many years ago gave great quote on jockey- horse …. Said in all my years of racing I’ve yet to see a jockey carry a horse across the finish line…lol…
olmtiant
On baseball note don’t you think redsox give O Neil a qualified offer?? Seems like a no brainer??
dasit
wish the article explained what the hell a director of baseball science actually does
Samuel
dasit;
I believe the Director of Baseball Science will be advising advisors who in turn will advise other advisors who in turn advise low-level coaches who in turn advise upper-level coaches who in turn discusses it with the bench coach who in turn discusses it with the manager who in turn discusses it with the GM who in turn asks the PoBO if it’s OK to advise the player who then calls the players agent and asks if the player would have any objections and if there are none it goes back down the hierarchy and then a coach the player gets along with talks to him about the advice.
Clear as mud.
King Floch
LFG O’s, Big Dave is ready to open the wallet!
misterb71
Obviously it wouldn’t keep the team in Florida, but why does it seem nobody is giving any thought to playing in San Antonio at the Alamodome?
T8Rcheese1
Jack Ruby’s brother owns the O’s? Theirs a rabbit hole.