There’s a lot riding on this winter for the Orioles. They have made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1997 but have failed to win a game in either series.
No one truly thought the Orioles would end up with a top-end starter in the winters they signed Jordan Lyles or Kyle Gibson. This winter, that’s the expectation.
Agents representing a wide array of major leaguers, including some players already on the Orioles and some of their reported targets, are still trying to figure out the team now that there’s new ownership with deep pockets.
Chirinos replaces a very experienced former manager in Fredi González as bench coach. González was seen as second in command to Brandon Hyde, providing insight to a first-time manager.
The Orioles’ Double-A affiliate is changing its name to the Chesapeake Baysox in an effort to appeal to a wider audience across the Chesapeake Bay region.
Rubenstein, as Angelos did in 1993, has said he will front the money to get the team what it needs to be successful. This winter is his chance to prove that.