Orioles News: Ryan Mountcastle report card, Danny Duffy, and other MLB news

Sep 3, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (6) heads home after hitting a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (6) heads home after hitting a two-run home run against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

Well, uh, that escalated quickly. Your Tuesday Orioles news roundup is here and mercy, have the Winter Meetings been crazy so far. Before we get into news elsewhere around the league though, let’s keep things in house with our favorite orange and black birds. To the roundup!

Orioles News 12/6/22 – Ryan Mountcastle report card, Danny Duffy talk, and more MLB news

Danny Duffy: free agent target?

Free agency coverage here at Birds Watcher has been flying out (no pun intended) of the editing room and we don’t plan on stopping until it’s over. Yesterday, Contributor Michael Najarian broke down another free agent that could be of interest to the Baltimore Orioles: former Kansas City pitcher Danny Duffy. Mike Elias doesn’t seem to be content with Kyle Gibson as their sole free agent signing, so could Duffy be in the cards?

Orioles announce Kyle Gibson signing

Speaking of Gibson, the Orioles finally announced the signing and revealed that the 35 year old will be earning $10 million next season. It’s official like a referee with a whistle.

Ryan Mountcastle gets his report card

After a brief hiatus, our 2022 report card series is back with none other than Ryan Mountcastle. The young slugger had a down year in terms of counting stats but make no mistake, Mounty can still mash a baseball and should be due for a significant step up in production next year. You can check his final grades out right here!

MLB News

Verlander, Turner break the bank

Holy mother what a day it was in free agency, and there’s still a ton of talented guys still awaiting their deals!

The two transactions that dominated Monday’s news cycle were clear: Trea Turner signing an 11 year, $300 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies and Justin Verlander signing a two year, $86 million deal with the New York Mets.

The Phillies had long been rumored to be interested in Turner and, like in the NLCS, beat out the San Diego Padres for his services. The average annual salary of the deal is lower than some projected Turner to receive, though the 11 guaranteed years is ostensibly a trade-off.

Pursuing Verlander was a logical recourse for the Mets after Jacob deGrom departed for Texas, and owner Steve Cohen clearly didn’t want to run the risk of leaving free agency empty-handed. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros are probably strolling around befuddled, looking like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction.

That’s it for today, have a good one and see you back here tomorrow!