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Orioles, Showalter Expected To Discuss Extension

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Not only have the Orioles officially ended their streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons, they retain a share of the AL East lead with an 81-62 record. Manager Buck Showalter is under contract for 2013, but the Orioles could look to sign him to an extension that covers additional seasons, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports. 

The Orioles want Showalter to stay and though there’s no timetable for extension talks, they could take place over the winter or during the 2013 season. Neither side has broached the subject of an extension so far, Kubatko reports. However, Showalter has no interest in discussing an extension with just 19 games remaining in the regular season. A high-ranking Orioles official told Kubatko Showalter has done enough to earn an extension when the time comes to discuss one. 

"We don't want him to leave,” the person said. “We want him to stay and he's going to stay. He's a special guy."

Showalter joined the Orioles toward the end of the 2010 season and led the team to a 69-93 record last year. His contract runs through 2013.

Quick Hits: LaRoche, Gregg, Astros

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A few stray links to pass along as the Phillies reach the .500 mark for the first time since June 4 with a win over the Marlins …

  • Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche "would love to stay" in Washington, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Last week, we heard that the Nats are likewise interested in retaining LaRoche. However, the left-handed hitter is enjoying a career year and is likely to seek a multiyear contract since his 2013 mutual option calls for a salary of $10MM. Kilgore adds that the Nats will wait until the season is over to commence extension talks with their players, as the organization is focused on its impending postseason berth.
  • Orioles manager Buck Showalter said reliever Kevin Gregg's DFA earlier today was the best situation for both the club and the pitcher, writes Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. The Orioles needed the roster space, while Gregg may have the opportunity to start anew with a different team and pitch more regularly — as he had several long stretches without seeing game action this season — and perhaps set himself up to latch on with a team in 2013, Showalter explained.
  • Gregg was nonetheless "really disappointed" to be leaving the O's, writes Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. 
  • Astros interim manager Tony DeFrancesco is a candidate to assume the role on a full-time basis when Houston conducts its interviews during the offseason, writes Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. DeFrancesco has spent most of his professional coaching career in the Athletics' organization, which he said prepared him well for a managerial job with a team like the Astros that relies heavily on advanced analytics.

Quick Hits: Orioles, Indians, Free Agents

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The Orioles decided to rely on internal options in the outfield after surveying the market for trade targets, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports (on Twitter). The Orioles had some interest in Juan Pierre, but it appears they’ll rely on players such as Nate McLouth, Chris Davis, Xavier Avery, Endy Chavez and Lew Ford in the outfield with Nick Markakis injured. Here are today’s links…

  • Jim Bowden lists some potential destinations for the offseason’s top free agents at ESPN.com. For example, could the Yankees could be a fit for Josh Hamilton? Could the Dodgers land Zack Greinke? Here’s MLBTR’s list of 2013 free agents.
  • Indians ownership was "unhappy" with the team's second half performance, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. GM Chris Antonetti said "nothing is new" regarding the job security of manager Manny Acta. "I don't think anyone's happy with where we are or how we've played," Antonetti said.
  • MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo offers a report on the latest transactions involving top prospects.

Orioles Designate Gregg, Adams For Assignment

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The Orioles announced that they have designated right-hander Kevin Gregg and infielder Ryan Adams for assignment. The moves create 40-man roster space for Endy Chavez and L.J. Hoes, whose contracts were selected from Triple-A Norfolk.

Gregg signed a two-year, $10MM contract with Baltimore after the 2010 season, but he struggled with the Orioles, posting a 4.53 ERA from 2011-12. He appeared in 40 games this year, posting a 4.74 ERA with 7.6 K/9, 4.9 BB/9 and a 47.8 % ground ball rate in 43 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old's contract includes a $6MM team option for 2013 that evidently won't be exercised.

Adams spent the entire 2012 season in the minor leagues. The 25-year-old posted a .225/.317/.348 batting line in 279 plate appearances across three levels this year, playing second and third base. Adams, the Orioles' second round selection in 2006, appeared in 29 games at the MLB level last year.

Phillies Notes: Manuel, Sandberg, Pierre

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Though Charlie Manuel will return to manage the Phillies in 2013, Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg appears to be a “nearly sure bet” to succeed Manuel at some point, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com writes. Here are the details on the Phillies from Heyman…

  • The Phillies are impressed by Sandberg’s work in the minor leagues, but the 68-year-old Manuel is under contract for 2013. Some insiders say some people in the Phillies organization have been advocating for Sandberg since before the 2011 season. Amaro dismissed that notion, but praised Sandberg. "He's been great. He's done a nice job for us," Amaro said. However, there’s probably “nothing to be done” if another organization looks to hire Sandberg this coming offseason.
  • Amaro told Heyman the Phillies aren’t trading Juan Pierre. The Orioles are interested in Pierre, but Philadelphia is just 5.0 games out of the Wild Card race so they are not inclined to make a trade.

AL East Notes: Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles

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The Red Sox haven't finished last in the American League East since 1992, when their division rivals included the Tigers, Indians and Brewers. With 21 games remaining the 2012 Red Sox are in last place with a 63-78 record. Here’s the latest from their division…

  • The Red Sox intend to address their pitching issues this offseason, GM Ben Cherington told Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. “We’ve got to look back and figure out why we were off on that,” Cherington said. The Red Sox are expected to bolster their rotation this winter, though one-year deals seem more likely than mega-contracts. Cherington relied on minor league signings last offseason, but knows more significant additions are necessary this year.
  • Joba Chamberlain, Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte are vital to the Yankees for the final three weeks of the regular season, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. The job security of some executives, coaches and players could diminish if the Yankees miss the postseason, Sherman adds.
  • Rays manager Joe Maddon told Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun that he's pleased to see the Orioles contending for a playoff spot again. "I'm really happy for Baltimore and that organization, having been such a wonderful organization in the past," Maddon said.

Orioles Interested In Juan Pierre

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The Orioles have some interest in trading for Juan Pierre, but the Phillies aren’t eager to trade him, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. Pierre could replace Nick Markakis, who's out with a broken thumb, and lead off for Baltimore. The Phillies wouldn’t get much in return for Pierre with less than a month remaining in the season, so they’re content to keep him. 

Pierre, 35, signed a one-year deal with a base salary of $800K in January. He's been a bargain, posting a .304/.346/.364 batting line in 385 plate appearances, stealing 34 bases in 40 attempts, and amassing nearly as many walks (20) as strikeouts (21). Pierre wouldn’t be eligible for the playoffs if Baltimore traded for him.

Rosenthal On Farrell, Indians, Nationals

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The Blue Jays shouldn’t part with manager John Farrell unless they are confident they can hire a comparable replacement and make the Red Sox pay dearly for their former pitching coach, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. The Blue Jays could start by asking for Clay Buchholz again, Rosenthal suggests. Here’s more from around MLB, starting with Farrell…

  • People who know Farrell find it difficult to believe he’d try to force his way out of Toronto, Rosenthal reports. The Blue Jays appear to value Farrell and don’t want to see him leave.
  • Most MLB teams wanted to develop Jurickson Profar as a pitcher when he was an amateur player, Rosenthal reports. The Rangers built a relationship with Profar, who wanted to play shortstop.
  • Scouts following the Indians like the team’s up-the-middle talent, but say the body language of manager Manny Acta suggests he’s resigned to losing. The Indians are expected to consider trade offers for Justin Masterson, Shin-Soo Choo and Chris Perez this offseason and rival teams wonder if they’d listen to offers for Asdrubal Cabrera.
  • Indians officials are “livid” with Perez for his comments about the team’s ownership and top baseball executives, Rosenthal writes. Perez questioned the Indians’ decision making and spending last week in an interview with Jon Paul Morosi. Some executives viewed those remarks as an attempt to get traded, Rosenthal reports.
  • One Orioles person points out that Andy MacPhail traded for many of the Orioles’ key players in a series of successful deals. MacPhail dealt for players such as J.J. Hardy, Pedro Strop, Chris Davis, Tommy Hunter, Robert Andino and Adam Jones before stepping down following the 2011 season.
  • Though the Nationals would like to retain Adam LaRoche, they can rely on internal options if the first baseman’s asking price reaches the three-year, $33-36MM range. Similarly, the Nationals might decide not to pursue Michael Bourn despite the long-standing expectation that they will offer him a competitive free agent contract.
  • The Brewers will need to sign a starting pitcher and fix their bullpen this coming offseason, Rosenthal writes.

AL East Notes: Yankees, Big Papi, Markakis, Red Sox

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Yesterday, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com surveyed two National League executives on Robinson Cano and his value as he inches closer to hitting the open market.  Both supported the Yankees spending big on the second baseman and one even said that he has a legitimate case for a $200MM extension.  Here's more on the Yankees and other AL East items..

  • David Ortiz told reporters, including the Boston Herald's Scott Lauber, that he may not play again for the Red Sox this year because of his strained right Achilles. "To be honest with you, what I’m looking for right now is to make sure I heal up the right way," Ortiz said. "I pushed it once. Didn’t work. So I’m not going to push it again." Ortiz, who has played only once since July 16, received a platelet-rich plasma injection nearly two weeks ago that has left him feeling “totally different.” But, he is still wearing a protective boot on his right foot and won’t attempt any baseball activities until at least Tuesday when he’s expected to have it removed. 
  • The Orioles' Nick Markakis is expected to undergo surgery tomorrow to insert a plate into his broken left thumb, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN.com. The surgery could speed up the recovery process, so the Orioles remain optimistic Markakis could return if they go deep into the playoffs, writes Kubatko.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post looks at five personnel decisions that backfired on the Yankees this season.  Sherman writes that the trade of Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda was among the club's biggest mistakes.  Although Pineda could bounce back from injury and fulfill his potential, Montero could have been a long-term answer for the Yankees in the event that Russell Martin leaves via free agency.
  • Theo Epstein only deserves some of the blame for the situation that the Red Sox are in and not all of it, opines John Tomase of the Boston Herald.  While Epstein made the big money deals that tied up the club's payroll, owners John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino had final say over all of them. 
  • Daisuke Matsuzaka's next start with the Red Sox could be his last with the club, writes Michael Vega of the Boston Globe.  "Honestly, I don’t know if I’ll be wearing this Red Sox uniform next year," Matsuzaka said through his interpreter, Jeff Cutler. "As I’ve said before, it’s an honor to be able to wear this Red Sox uniform, but it hasn’t been an added stress for me."
  • Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine told NESN's Tom Caron that the criticism that has been directed at him stems from personal gripes, writes Alex Speier of WEEI.com.  Valentine believes that he has always received unfair criticism and anticipated more of it when he arrived in Boston.

Edward Creech also contributed to this post.

Cubs Claim Jason Berken

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The Cubs have claimed Jason Berken off of waivers from the Orioles, Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com reports (on Twitter). Baltimore had designated the right-hander for assignment four days ago in order to free up roster space for Zach Phillips.

Berken spent most of the 2012 season at Triple-A, where he posted a 3.50 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 26 starts. The 28-year-old appeared in just one game with Baltimore this year, but he was a fixture in the Orioles' rotation in 2009 and in their bullpen from 2010-11. The Cubs claimed right-hander Miguel Socolovich off of waivers from Baltimore less than a month ago.

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