Orioles bullpen begs more questions than you’d like for would-be contender
With few proven relief commodities, Baltimore is counting heavily on new closer Ryan Helsley to put a tough 2025 behind him.
Craig Albernaz
Orioles name Trevor Rogers as Opening Day starter
Voted the 2025 Most Valuable Oriole after a stunning season, Rogers will be Baltimore’s starter on March 26.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles spring training pathway to Opening Day and roster spots
As we watch selected spring training games on what’s left of the MASN television network, we see opportunity and the summer ahead for the Baltimore Orioles. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Sarasota innings and at-bats and what they’ll mean for skipper Craig Albernaz and the Birds as Opening Day looms and injuries abound in Florida.
Injuries open new path to an Opening Day roster spot in Birdland
As we watch selected spring training games on what’s left of the MASN television network, we see opportunity and the summer ahead for the Baltimore Orioles. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Sarasota innings and at-bats and what they’ll mean for skipper Craig Albernaz and the Birds as Opening Day looms and injuries abound in Florida.
Orioles veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge dealing with shoulder inflammation
Baltimore was counting heavily on the soon-to-be 36-year-old to bridge the gap to new closer Ryan Helsley.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts as World Baseball Classic competition begins
Adley Rutschman enters a pivotal 2026 after enduring struggles and injuries over the last season and a half.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss expectations of new Orioles manager Craig Albernaz this season
With changes made in leadership with both professional sports franchises in Baltimore this winter, it’ll be Craig Albernaz leading off for the Orioles with an early-season testing ground that already include key injuries and a suspect bullpen. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the expectations of the new Birds skipper and the vital signs of life for a team with high hopes in a crowded AL East Division.
The “Alby Effect” and how it will affect and infect Orioles youthful energy
With changes made in leadership with both professional sports franchises in Baltimore this winter, it’ll be Craig Albernaz leading off for the Orioles with an early-season testing ground that already include key injuries and a suspect bullpen. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the expectations of the new Birds skipper and the vital signs of life for a team with high hopes in a crowded AL East Division.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Jordan Westburg injury and hopes for Coby Mayo at third base
It’s less than ideal so far in Sarasota that two emerging, young Orioles stars in Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are already lost for the start of the MLB season. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss what it means for Coby Mayo and newly-acquired Blaze Alexander now that grapefruit baseball has begun and jobs are available in Baltimore.
With Westburg down, Orioles renew high hopes for Coby Mayo at third base
It’s less than ideal so far in Sarasota that two emerging, young Orioles stars in Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are already lost for the start of the MLB season. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss what it means for Coby Mayo and newly-acquired Blaze Alexander now that grapefruit baseball has begun and jobs are available in Baltimore.
Projecting 2026 Orioles’ Opening Day roster ahead of Grapefruit League opener
Will Colton Cowser be able to handle center field every day?
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles addition of Bassitt and Holliday injury along with pitching strategy of Elias
It’s already been a short week of additions and subtractions as the Baltimore Orioles sign veteran starting pitcher Chris Bassitt on a $18.5 million one-year deal and lost Jackson Holliday to a broken hamate bone, which changes the Opening Day lineup. Luke Jones and Nestor reset the Birdland expectations as Mike Elias still has some work to do on the bullpen and there’s action gearing up in Sarasota as spring training baseball begins next week in Florida.
Adding Bassitt for real money and losing Holliday for real time
It’s already been a short week of additions and subtractions as the Baltimore Orioles sign veteran starting pitcher Chris Bassitt on a $18.5 million one-year deal and lost Jackson Holliday to a broken hamate bone, which changes the Opening Day lineup. Luke Jones and Nestor reset the Birdland expectations as Mike Elias still has some work to do on the bullpen and there’s action gearing up in Sarasota as spring training baseball begins next week in Florida.
Orioles agree to terms with veteran starter Chris Bassitt to complete rotation mix
Baltimore will reportedly sign the soon-to-be 37-year-old to a one-year, $18.5 million contract.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts at start of 2026 spring training
Luke Jones offers his latest orange musings as pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm Orioles need before Sarasota to compete in AL East
The new ownership group reached deep into the monetary reserve to sign slugger Pete Alonso in Baltimore but what’s up with the pitching? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm the Orioles need in the rotation – not to mention a too-thin bullpen – in preparation for pitchers and catchers to report to the refurbished facility in Sarasota.
With spring nearly upon us, time running short for Orioles to punctuate encouraging offseason
Is another notable move coming before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota next week?
Are the Orioles really “armed” for April?
The new ownership group reached deep into the monetary reserve to sign slugger Pete Alonso in Baltimore but what’s up with the pitching? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm the Orioles need in the rotation – not to mention a too-thin bullpen – in preparation for pitchers and catchers to report to the refurbished facility in Sarasota.
Alonso’s arrival makes Orioles look and feel different after years of waiting
Friday’s press conference was fun and exciting, which aren’t adjectives we’ve used to describe the Orioles at this point in the offseason in a very long time.
Communicating and capturing sports history and local business needs
We knew inviting our old journalist-turned-communications pro Greg Abel would involve a walk down “Free The Birds” memory lane but Nestor did not bring him to Koco’s Pub on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to talk about the past but instead to question the future of the Orioles brand and Baltimore sports media and marketing with a lifer chronicler and fan of Charm City glory.
Wanna help us spend hundreds of millions of David Rubenstein’s money on Orioles players?
The delicious pizza at Pizza John’s brings all of our friends together to talk baseball in Essex. Our MLB insider Luke Jones and legendary sports cartoonist Ricig join Nestor on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to take a deep dive on the everything Baltimore Orioles offseason. From the leadership of Mike Elias and the hiring of Craig Albernaz to the expectations of spending hundreds of millions of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti’s money before Valentine’s Day, it’s always baseball season here.
Wishing and hoping for a better brand of Orioles baseball next summer
We are loving these offseason baseball conversations but will the Hot Stove heat up enough to energize the Baltimore Orioles fan base for the first time in a generation? Time will tell. Ron Cassie of Baltimore Magazine joins Luke Jones and Nestor for a Baltimore baseball offseason primer of hopes and possibilities for David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti to step up and into the big leagues of MLB payroll.
Ron Cassie of Baltimore Magazine joins Luke Jones and Nestor for a Baltimore baseball offseason primer of hopes and possibilities
We are loving these offseason baseball conversations but will the Hot Stove heat up enough to energize the Baltimore Orioles fan base for the first time in a generation? Time will tell. Ron Cassie of Baltimore Magazine joins Luke Jones and Nestor for a Baltimore baseball offseason primer of hopes and possibilities for David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti to step up and into the big leagues of MLB payroll.
Cleveland legend Munch Bishop joins Nestor to discuss Browns, Albernaz and ills of sports gambling
Oh, sure the Cleveland Browns are a last-place operation without a legitimate NFL quarterback but the real story in Northern Ohio is the gambling indictments of a pair of Guardians baseball players. Radio legend Munch Bishop joins Nestor to discuss the future of the football team and the shame of the worst side of sports gambling bubbling up in MLB.
Local communications and PR pro Greg Abel reunites with Nestor at Koco’s to discuss Orioles brand and Baltimore immersion
We knew inviting our old journalist-turned-communications pro Greg Abel would involve a walk down “Free The Birds” memory lane but Nestor did not bring him to Koco’s Pub on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to talk about the past but instead to question the future of the Orioles brand and Baltimore sports media and marketing with a lifer chronicler and fan of Charm City glory.
The sports agony continues in Cleveland
Oh, sure the Cleveland Browns are a last-place operation without a legitimate NFL quarterback but the real story in Northern Ohio is the gambling indictments of a pair of Guardians baseball players. Radio legend Munch Bishop joins Nestor to discuss the future of the football team and the shame of the worst side of sports gambling bubbling up in MLB.
Luke Jones and Ricig join Nestor to talk Orioles, Elias, Albernaz expectations and Rubenstein money
The delicious pizza at Pizza John’s brings all of our friends together to talk baseball in Essex. Our MLB insider Luke Jones and legendary sports cartoonist Ricig join Nestor on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to take a deep dive on the everything Baltimore Orioles offseason. From the leadership of Mike Elias and the hiring of Craig Albernaz to the expectations of spending hundreds of millions of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti’s money before Valentine’s Day, it’s always baseball season here.
So, what do we expect from Craig Albernaz in Baltimore?
Is it the job of the Orioles manager to recruit the community? Well, someone or something has to be a part of driving the Baltimore baseball brand forward this offseason. Luke Jones and Nestor welcome new skipper Craig Albernaz and discuss their hopes for improvements and acquisitions in this offseason that Mike Elias will be judged daily on progress.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles welcoming of Albernaz and hope for Elias offseason of acquistions
Is it the job of the Orioles manager to recruit the community? Well, someone or something has to be a part of driving the Baltimore baseball brand forward this offseason. Luke Jones and Nestor welcome new skipper Craig Albernaz and discuss their hopes for improvements and acquisitions in this offseason that Mike Elias will be judged daily on progress.
Stephen Vogt offers strong endorsement for Craig Albernaz as new manager of Orioles
Stephen Vogt offers strong endorsement for Craig Albernaz as new manager of Orioles
Albernaz vows Orioles will play “very exciting brand of baseball” with him as manager
New Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz was introduced to the local media on Tuesday.
Craig Albernaz, Mike Elias, David Rubenstein meet with local media at Camden Yards
Craig Albernaz, Mike Elias, David Rubenstein meet with local media at Camden Yards
Luke Jones and Allen McCallum join Nestor at State Fare for Orioles offseason primer and Albernaz insights
When it’s time to put a baseball round table together, we gather at least a hundred years worth of media and institutional insights about the Baltimore Orioles like no other group. Longtime MLB media analysts Luke Jones and Allen McCallum join Nestor at State Fare in Catonsville on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour for an Orioles offseason primer and plenty of insights on the hiring of new Birds manager Craig Albernaz and everything that needs to be on the checklist of Mike Elias in the coming weeks at Camden Yards.
Welcoming new Orioles skipper Albernaz to Camden Yaaaahdds
When it’s time to put a baseball round table together, we gather at least a hundred years worth of media and institutional insights about the Baltimore Orioles like no other group. Longtime MLB media analysts Luke Jones and Allen McCallum join Nestor at State Fare in Catonsville on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour for an Orioles offseason primer and plenty of insights on the hiring of new Birds manager Craig Albernaz and everything that needs to be on the checklist of Mike Elias in the coming weeks at Camden Yards.
Examining the pedigree and hire of Orioles manager Craig Albernaz
As the heavy lifting of the offseason begins for the last-place Baltimore Orioles, the first step is complete. New manager Craig Albernaz brings plenty of fresh blood and great recommendations but as Luke Jones and Nestor point out, the players the team acquires this offseason and the maturation of a bevy of young, high-ceiling prospects will decide his fate in the dugout. It’s still baseball season in Baltimore!
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles managerial hiring of Craig Albernaz and leadership of Elias
As the heavy lifting of the offseason begins for the last-place Baltimore Orioles, the first step is complete. New manager Craig Albernaz brings plenty of fresh blood and great recommendations but as Luke Jones and Nestor point out, the players the team acquires this offseason and the maturation of a bevy of young, high-ceiling prospects will decide his fate in the dugout. It’s still baseball season in Baltimore!
Orioles officially announce Craig Albernaz as 21st manager in club history
The Orioles will hold a press conference with their new manager on Nov. 4.
Orioles reportedly hiring Cleveland coach Craig Albernaz as next manager
The 42-year-old served as Cleveland’s associate manager in 2025 and began his coaching career in Tampa Bay’s system.
