Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff

@richdubroffmlb.bsky.social

Covering the Baltimore Orioles for BaltimoreBaseball.com

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Rich Dubroff
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Orioles’ new GM Banner says he and Elias will have ‘some uncomfortable conversations’ #Orioles

dlvr.itOrioles’ new GM Banner says he and Elias will have ‘some uncomfortable conversations’BALTIMORE—Everyone wants to know how new Orioles general manager Jared Banner and president of baseball operations Mike Elias will work together. The 40-year-old Banner, who spent nearly six years with the Chicago Cubs, most recently as assistant general manager, has also worked for the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets. “He’s been on successful […]
Rich Dubroff
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Reviewing Orioles’ top 30 prospects #Orioles

dlvr.itReviewing Orioles’ top 30 prospectsWhen the Orioles formally introduce Jared Banner as their general manager on Tuesday, there are certain to be questions about how he and president of baseball operations Mike Elias will divide areas of responsibilities. The team’s announcement last week read: “Banner will lead the organization’s player development, coaching and performance efforts, while also partnering with […]
Rich Dubroff
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Orioles ‘wrecking crew’ hopes to hit more homers, win more games in 2027 #Orioles

dlvr.itOrioles ‘wrecking crew’ hopes to hit more homers, win more games in 2027After the Orioles signed Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract, ESPN’s highly respected Jeff Passan was bullish on the Orioles’ potential. “The Baltimore Orioles lineup might have the best lineup in baseball,” he wrote on X. “Whatever order Craig Albernaz chooses, he’s got Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso, Jordan Westburg, Taylor Ward, Adley Rutschman, […]
Rich Dubroff
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Did the Orioles make a mistake by trading Tyler Wells? | MAILBAG #Orioles

dlvr.itDid the Orioles make a mistake by trading Tyler Wells? | MAILBAGQuestion: It seems to me Mike Elias is not committed to winning now and is always trading the present for the future. Take the Tyler Wells trade. I’m sorry but feel strongly that trading your best reliever to a division rival for a prospect who won’t be major-league ready for two-to-three years when only a […]
Rich Dubroff
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Orioles infield coach Miguel Cairo on Gunnar Henderson: “I want to have 26 guys like that’ #Orioles

dlvr.itOrioles infield coach Miguel Cairo on Gunnar Henderson: “I want to have 26 guys like that’Miguel Cairo played 17 major league seasons for nine teams. He played with some of the biggest names in recent baseball history — Wade Boggs, Fred McGriff, Albert Pujols, Ryne Sandberg, Ichiro Suzuki, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. He played for three of the winningest managers of all-time — Dusty Baker, Tony LaRussa and Joe […]
Rich Dubroff
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Questions and answers with Orioles pitching prospect Patrick Reilly #Orioles

dlvr.itQuestions and answers with Orioles pitching prospect Patrick ReillyThe Orioles acquired right-handed pitcher Patrick Reilly from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for utility player Billy Cook on July 30th, 2024. Reilly impressed the Orioles in early looks, but after three starts at Double-A Chesapeake in 2025, he needed Tommy John surgery. He returned to action in June, and after pitching for the Florida […]
Rich Dubroff
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Oriole fans have Rays’ rooting interest in World Series #Orioles

dlvr.itOriole fans have Rays’ rooting interest in World SeriesWhen the Orioles’ season ends, many fans lose interest in postseason baseball and turn their full attention to the Ravens. This season might be different. Several fans I’ve talked to have temporarily adopted the Tampa Bay Rays, and are rooting for them against the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series that begins on Friday. It’s […]
Rich Dubroff
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New GM Banner draws rave reviews: ‘The Orioles made a tremendous hire’ #Orioles

dlvr.itNew GM Banner draws rave reviews: ‘The Orioles made a tremendous hire’Oriole fans were surprised by the hiring of 40-year-old Jared Banner as general manager on Monday. President of baseball operations Mike Elias, who made the hire, had said the team needed help in the front office at the team’s season-ending news conference on September 28th. “The answer is ‘good people,’ and it’s case-by-case and it’s […]
Rich Dubroff
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Would a No. 1 starter have turned around Orioles’ season? | MAILBAG #Orioles

dlvr.itWould a No. 1 starter have turned around Orioles’ season? | MAILBAGQuestion: If the O’s signed any of the top free-agent pitchers — Dylan Cease, Ranger Suárez, Framber Valdez — would the team results been any better? Cease was signed so quickly that they never really had a chance, but Toronto struggled, same as the O’s.  Suárez had a nice season with Boston, but not sure […]
Rich Dubroff
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Orioles are hiring Jared Banner as general manager #Orioles

dlvr.itOrioles are hiring Jared Banner as general managerThe Orioles are hiring Jared Banner as General Manager. Banner had been with the Chicago Cubs since December 2020, most recently as assistant general manager. President of baseball operations Mike Elias said that he was looking for new ideas from outsiders in the front office. Elias was promoted from general manager to his current position […]
Rich Dubroff
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Orioles have intriguing outfield prospects, but need outside help for 2027 #Orioles

dlvr.itOrioles have intriguing outfield prospects, but need outside help for 2027The 2026 season wasn’t a good one for Oriole outfielders. They didn’t have an outfielder who hit 15 home runs, drove in 60 runs or batted over .230. Taylor Ward, their most productive outfielder, was traded to Seattle on August 3rd after hitting .246 with seven home runs and 30 RBIs. Ward hit 36 home […]
Rich Dubroff
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Would Orioles trade Henderson, Holliday or Westburg? | MAILBAG #Orioles

dlvr.itWould Orioles trade Henderson, Holliday or Westburg? | MAILBAGQuestion: Do you think Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg or Gunnar Henderson would be traded? Since the club traded Adley Rutschman, I think that the everyone is available. From: Rick Potlock Answer: Rick, I don’t think the Rutschman trade indicates that everyone is available, but I think it shows that Mike Elias isn’t reluctant to trade […]
Rich Dubroff
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Reviewing the surprising Orioles’ bullpen of 2026 #Orioles

dlvr.itReviewing the surprising Orioles’ bullpen of 2026The Orioles’ disappointing season can be attributed to poor offensive and defensive performances by key players, and injuries to some others. It can’t be attributed to the bullpen. Perhaps the most surprising stat about Oriole relievers is that they pitched the fourth-fewest innings in baseball, 573. Only the Dodgers, Phillies and Mariners used the bullpen […]
Rich Dubroff
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Rubenstein on owning the Orioles: ‘It’s not as easy as I thought’ #Orioles

dlvr.itRubenstein on owning the Orioles: ‘It’s not as easy as I thought’Few professional sports owners write books about their teams. Orioles owner David Rubenstein is an exception. Last month, Rubenstein’s book, “Inside the Owner’s Box” was published, and on Thursday night, he joined three owners of Washington sports teams in a forum at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., which he chairs. Rubenstein, who declined interview […]
Rich Dubroff
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Peter Schmuck: Orioles can’t let possibility of a lockdown lull them to sleep #Orioles

dlvr.itPeter Schmuck: Orioles can’t let possibility of a lockdown lull them to sleepI’m pretty sure Mike Elias already knows this, but the Orioles need to proceed into this important offseason as if the 2027 season is going to begin on time. Because it probably will. The doomsayers think otherwise, of course. The current labor agreement between the 30 club owners and the Major League Baseball Players Association […]
Rich Dubroff
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Oriole priorities in a likely shorter offseason #Orioles

dlvr.itOriole priorities in a likely shorter offseasonWhen Mike Elias makes a major move, there’s little or no advance warning. Over the last 14 months, the Orioles president of baseball operations signed catcher Samuel Basallo and pitchers Shane Baz, Kyle Bradish and Yennier Cano to extensions, first baseman Pete Alonso to an enormous five-year contract and pulled off three surprising trades. None […]
Rich Dubroff
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What’s the biggest mistake the Orioles have made since 2024? | MAILBAG #Orioles

dlvr.itWhat’s the biggest mistake the Orioles have made since 2024? | MAILBAGQuestion: The question of what mistakes were made and what went wrong with the Orioles has to be traced back to the All-Star break in 2024. Prior to that date, the O’s were performing very well. Thus, what mistakes did Mike Elias and the various managers make from the All-Star break in 2024 to now? […]
Rich Dubroff
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Do small-spending teams have an advantage over Orioles? | MAILBAG #Orioles

dlvr.itDo small-spending teams have an advantage over Orioles? | MAILBAGQuestion: Looking at the playoff teams, the ones in and the ones out, there doesn’t seem to be a good correlation between money spent by teams and their performance. Do you think that good management is more important than money spent by teams? Take Baltimore, for example, compared to Cleveland, Chicago, and Tampa Bay, all […]
Rich Dubroff
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Wondering how Orioles would have fared in the postseason #Orioles

dlvr.itWondering how Orioles would have fared in the postseasonIf you’ve been watching the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians grapple through four interminable games, you might wonder how the Orioles would have matched up with them. The Orioles spent the last weeks of the season chasing these two teams, and finished 4 ½ games behind the White Sox, who were the final wild-card […]
Rich Dubroff
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Orioles prospect Ethan Anderson turned on the power at Chesapeake #Orioles

dlvr.itOrioles prospect Ethan Anderson turned on the power at ChesapeakeOne of the nicest surprises of the Orioles’ minor league season was the power displayed by Ethan Anderson. A native of Hawaii, who grew up in the Norfolk area, Anderson was drafted as a catcher/first baseman from the University of Virginia in the second round in 2024. In 2025, Anderson’s first full season of professional […]
Rich Dubroff
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Do you think Albernaz should have publicly criticized Oriole players? | MAILBAG #Orioles

dlvr.itDo you think Albernaz should have publicly criticized Oriole players? | MAILBAGQuestion: With the Orioles’ 2026 year ending, I’m interested in your thoughts about mangers criticizing players publicity. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz has been critical of several players, including Jeremiah Jackson, Rece Hines and Samuel Basallo. It seems unprofessional to me. Accountability is important but should be addressed privately. I was impressed by the way Brandon […]
Rich Dubroff
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Blaze Alexander is the other MVO, Most Versatile Oriole #Orioles

dlvr.itBlaze Alexander is the other MVO, Most Versatile OriolePete Alonso was unanimously voted the MVO, Most Valuable Oriole. There’s another MVO on the team, Most Versatile Oriole, and that’s Blaze Alexander. Alexander was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks just before spring training, and despite playing only 11 games in the second half of the season because of stints on the injured list for […]
Rich Dubroff
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Have the Orioles traded away too many good prospects? | MAILBAG #Orioles

dlvr.itHave the Orioles traded away too many good prospects? | MAILBAGQuestion: The poor draft choices and/or ongoing development of prospects has been well documented, but it is interesting to ponder the prospects that we have traded elsewhere who then blossomed or at least matured into viable players. Kyle Stowers comes to mind as he never fully received an opportunity at the big league level until […]
Rich Dubroff
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Calling the Pen: There was wisdom in Palmer’s suggestion for Albernaz #Orioles

dlvr.itCalling the Pen: There was wisdom in Palmer’s suggestion for AlbernazI’ve been fortunate to have good doctors throughout my life, and that includes the dentists, even though it concerned me when they removed my wisdom teeth. There was one visit I regretted, though, and it had nothing to do with what happened in the dentist chair. I had an appointment on October 6th, 1966. I […]
Rich Dubroff
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Throwback to 1991: Orioles in the Dominican Republic #Orioles

dlvr.itThrowback to 1991: Orioles in the Dominican RepublicI went there to write about the Orioles’ scouting efforts. It was an unforgettable trip. This post includes an audiobook-style reading of my award-winning article. (Note from John: In 1991, the Baltimore Sun sent me to the Dominican Republic to write about the Orioles’ scouting efforts there. It was among the most memorable and poignant […]
Rich Dubroff
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Calling the Pen: Chourio’s clutch hit for Brewers is his Delmon Young moment; Small ball big for Rays #Orioles

dlvr.itCalling the Pen: Chourio’s clutch hit for Brewers is his Delmon Young moment; Small ball big for RaysThe stadium was shaking, maybe more than it ever did before. The hit was clutch, and perhaps a bit unexpected. October 4th, 2026 in Milwaukee? Or October 3rd, 2014 in Baltimore? In both cases, the fans celebrated in a way that won’t be forgotten. The postseason produces moments that outshine those that happen in the […]
Rich Dubroff
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Why do Orioles have to pay Gunnar Henderson such a large salary in 2027? | MAILBAG #Orioles

dlvr.itWhy do Orioles have to pay Gunnar Henderson such a large salary in 2027? | MAILBAGQuestion: Are sports one of the only “businesses” [maybe tech, finance or auto CEO?] where you can perform poorly and still get a massive raise?  I’m thinking especially of Henderson with the jump from $8.5 to $14.1 million, but some other O’s players fit this category as well.  And someone gets a raise even without […]
Rich Dubroff
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Calling the Pen: Rough series for Rutschman, Red Sox, but the Yankees look strong #Orioles

dlvr.itCalling the Pen: Rough series for Rutschman, Red Sox, but the Yankees look strongBefore the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees meet in their best-of-five American League Division Series, which is really the AL East Series, I wanted to review what happened to the Boston Red Sox in their wild-card series against the Yankees that served as the first AL East elimination round. My wife, Barb, asked […]
Rich Dubroff
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Orioles’ Henderson could be in line for $14.1 million salary in 2027 #Orioles

dlvr.itOrioles’ Henderson could be in line for $14.1 million salary in 2027Gunnar Henderson had the worst statistical season of his career, hitting .226 with a .715 OPS, 24 home runs and 60 RBIs. Henderson, who made $8.5 million is in line for a handsome raise to $14.1 million in his second season of arbitration eligibility according to MLBTradeRumors.com The Orioles have seven arbitration-eligible players, and two […]
Rich Dubroff
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Peter Schmuck: Welcome to an offseason that is riddled with Orioles uncertainty #Orioles

dlvr.itPeter Schmuck: Welcome to an offseason that is riddled with Orioles uncertaintyI think we all know which areas the Orioles need to improve upon during what figures to be an unpredictable offseason. All of them. OK, maybe we can assume that at least one of the team’s rehabbing closers will be ready to open the season next March, but you know what happens when you assume. […]
Rich Dubroff
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Was Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson’s absence from spring training a factor in his 2026 underperformance? #Orioles

dlvr.itWas Orioles’ Gunnar Henderson’s absence from spring training a factor in his 2026 underperformance?Question: How much difference does a full uninterrupted spring training make to a player? I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Gunnar Henderson has had two subpar years when not having a full spring training — 2025 due to injury and this year due to the World Baseball Classic. From: @therealmuncie Answer: Graham, I think […]
Rich Dubroff
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Impressive in relief, Orioles will try De León as a starter next spring #Orioles

dlvr.itImpressive in relief, Orioles will try De León as a starter next springAs they do every year, the Orioles will be looking for additional starting pitchers over the offseason. One contender hasn’t made a major league start but was impressive in his eight September relief appearances with the Orioles. Left-hander Luis De León is the team’s No. 7 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and was 0-2 with […]
Rich Dubroff
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What do Orioles need to avoid a 3rd straight losing season in 2027? | MAILBAG #Orioles

dlvr.itWhat do Orioles need to avoid a 3rd straight losing season in 2027? | MAILBAGQuestion: Now that the Orioles completed another season, what should we do with another second-to-last-place season? Ugh.Regards. From: Connie Z. Harrisburg, PA Answer: Connie, I think the Orioles need help in several areas to contend in 2027. Assuming Trevor Rogers and Chris Bassitt are gone, they’ll need another starter or two. They might audition Luis […]
Rich Dubroff
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Checking into 2026 Orioles’ injuries; New area to open in upper left-field stands #Orioles

dlvr.itChecking into 2026 Orioles’ injuries; New area to open in upper left-field standsNear the end of the Orioles’ media session reviewing the 2026 season, there was a question about Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson’s playing through a right wrist injury. After president of baseball operations Mike Elias lauded Henderson, who missed only three games during the season, he talked again about an issue that’s hurt the team in […]