Orioles add upside to rotation in acquiring right-hander Shane Baz from Tampa Bay
A month after trading Grayson Rodriguez, Mike Elias acquired someone fitting a similar upside mold.
A month after trading Grayson Rodriguez, Mike Elias acquired someone fitting a similar upside mold.
The newest and shiniest Baltimore Orioles addition arrived for a bizarrely timed Friday afternoon press conference at Camden Yards and won the day. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Pete Alonso emergence at The Warehouse alongside David Rubenstein, Mike Elias and Scott Boras and what the future holds for the slugger, whom the owner compared to Frank Robinson coming the Charm City.
The newest and shiniest Baltimore Orioles addition arrived for a bizarrely timed Friday afternoon press conference at Camden Yards and won the day. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Pete Alonso emergence at The Warehouse alongside David Rubenstein, Mike Elias and Scott Boras and what the future holds for the slugger, whom the owner compared to Frank Robinson coming the Charm City.
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.
Pete Alonso and Orioles brass meet with media after signing five-year, $155 million contract
The five-time All-Star first baseman was introduced to the Baltimore media on Friday afternoon.
It’s not our money and it made the baseball team better so there will be no complaining about Mike Elias taking the money of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti and investing in a legitimate attempt to win. The Baltimore Orioles got better with the signing of slugger Pete Alonso but they get $155 million better? Luke Jones and Nestor take a deep dive into the Birdland splash of MLB free agency.
It’s not our money and it made the baseball team better so there will be no complaining about Mike Elias taking the money of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti and investing in a legitimate attempt to win. The Baltimore Orioles got better with the signing of slugger Pete Alonso but they get $155 million better? Luke Jones and Nestor take a deep dive into the Birdland splash of MLB free agency.
The 31-year-old has hit 34 or more home runs in each of the last five seasons.
It’s a murky picture throughout Major League Baseball as the Winter Meetings begin and Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports returns to discuss the state of the game, on and off the field. And the business and labor of MLB and a pending working stoppage might be affecting much more than just the payroll of the Baltimore Orioles heading into 2026.
It’s a murky picture throughout Major League Baseball as the Winter Meetings begin and Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports returns to discuss the state of the game, on and off the field. And the business and labor of MLB and a pending working stoppage might be affecting much more than just the payroll of the Baltimore Orioles heading into 2026.
Ah, the risk and rewards and crazy retail price of Major League Baseball free agency begins with the Baltimore Orioles signing a closer and making noise about “being in on” more pitching. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Ryan Helsley and the price of heroes at the Winter Meetings for a last place team with a lot of prospects in question.
Ah, the risk and rewards and crazy retail price of Major League Baseball free agency begins with the Baltimore Orioles signing a closer and making noise about “being in on” more pitching. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Ryan Helsley and the price of heroes at the Winter Meetings for a last place team with a lot of prospects in question.
One of baseball’s best closers from 2022-24, the 31-year-old struggled after being acquired by the New York Mets at last year’s trade deadline.
We’re pretty sure that the surprises of the Baltimore Orioles offseason are just beginning. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss where Mike Elias will go next in search of improving a last-place roster still in need of more pitching and punch than whatever help Taylor Ward will bring from Anaheim in the absence of Grayson Rodriguez.
We’re pretty sure that the surprises of the Baltimore Orioles offseason are just beginning. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss where Mike Elias will go next in search of improving a last-place roster still in need of more pitching and punch than whatever help Taylor Ward will bring from Anaheim in the absence of Grayson Rodriguez.
The Baltimore Orioles finished in last place, lost a half a million fans at the gate at Camden Yards and are searching for a soul this offseason while watching the rest of MLB hang bunting and play October baseball. Luke Jones attended the bizarre Tony Mansolino and Mike Elias press conference at The Warehouse on Monday. Nestor watched on his computer. Here, they discuss the word salad and measure the strategy of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti.
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 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.
It’s pretty clear that Orioles fans thought more of the future of one-time ace pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez than Mike Elias did after dealing the 26-year with four years of MLB control to Anaheim for slugging outfielder Taylor Ward. Why did the Birds quit on GrayRod? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the philosophy and offseason strategy of new ownership with free agency looming.
I’m pulling for you to fix the Orioles on-and-off the field, even if you continue the bizarrely petty Angelos family tradition of willfully, purposely and strategically mistreating me and restricting a legitimate professional working local media member from asking you serious questions in the David Rubenstein “Next Chapter” era.
“We all want the same things here.”
Once one of baseball’s top prospects, Rodriguez hadn’t pitched for Baltimore since July 31, 2024 because of injuries.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
This week, the Baltimore Orioles will welcome the next manager since Joe Altobelli to attempt to bring a World Series title to Camden Yards. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the glorious October playoff run and a legendary 2025 World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays – and look to the Orioles offseason with real expectations for the unexpected with money and deals. We’ve got baseball on the brain.
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.
This week, the Baltimore Orioles will welcome the next manager since Joe Altobelli to attempt to bring a World Series title to Camden Yards. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the glorious October playoff run and a legendary 2025 World Series between the Dodgers and Blue Jays – and look to the Orioles offseason with real expectations for the unexpected with money and deals. We’ve got baseball on the brain.
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
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.
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.
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!
Beware the Toronto Blue Jays! And even if the Los Angeles Dodgers don’t win the World Series as heavy favorites, it’ll be clear why they’ll have money to spend as the Baltimore Orioles go to market for a manager and offseason acquisitions via free agency that will be chasing a new leaf of power and capital in the American League East north of the border, where they enjoy beating America in any way possible. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Fall Classic and the incredible Ohtani and Springer shows this October.
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!
The Orioles will hold a press conference with their new manager on Nov. 4.
The 42-year-old served as Cleveland’s associate manager in 2025 and began his coaching career in Tampa Bay’s system.
Our favorite longtime Washington Post baseball writer Dave Sheinin joins Nestor at the new Costas Inn at Timonium Race Track to discuss everything Orioles and World Series on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour. Birdland ownership, management, the manager, big money and how to start winning again at Camden Yards?