brandon snyder

The Baltimore Orioles built a contender by patchwork, but the Royals built their American League champion through the farm

By Jon Meoli

Oct 16, 2014

Drafting catchers is a challenge, but the Orioles don't have a sure thing behind All-Star Matt Wieters.

The clock is winding down to Friday's deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players, and the Orioles must decide whether to tender contracts to 14 players on their 25-man roster.

The Orioles and Rangers announced their rosters for tonight's one-game American League wild-card playoff at Rangers Ballpark.

Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold is scheduled to undergo an epidural injection in his sore neck, but it appears very doubtful that he¿ll be ready to come off the disabled list as soon as he becomes eligible Wednesday.

Dana Eveland is likely to start for the Orioles on Friday. The left-hander would slide into Tommy Hunter's spot in the rotation. Also, Zach Phillips was called up from Triple-A Norfolk and Jason Berken was demoted.

Every now and then -- even in a lopsided loss -- there's a feel good moment. On Monday, there were two: Texas' Brandon Snyder and the Orioles' Stu Pomeranz.

The Orioles are now winless this season in games after they have played 17 innings. Call it the Great Boston Marathon Hangover.The Orioles came out pancake-flat Monday, losing to the Texas Rangers, 14-3, in a game in which they gave up 19 hits, got only six, and looked lackluster in every phase.

It seems like only yesterday that we were extolling the virtues of the Orioles' rejuvenated starting rotation.

It may seem strange that the Orioles decided to option backup catcher Ronny Paulino to Triple-A Norfolk -- especially with him batting .300 -- but it makes a lot of sense when you think about it.