Andy Kostka
@afkostka.bsky.social
Orioles beat reporter for the Baltimore Banner
Dylan Cease sets the market early, as Jon Heyman reports it’s a 7-year, $210-million deal. It’ll be a pricey class of starting pitchers and the latter half of the contracts may not age well. But that’s the going rate
November 26, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Dylan Cease sets the market early, as Jon Heyman reports it’s a 7-year, $210-million deal. It’ll be a pricey class of starting pitchers and the latter half of the contracts may not age well. But that’s the going rate
The Orioles are signing left-hander Andrew Magno to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, per source.
Magno, most recently with the Tigers’ organization, pitched for Double-A Erie in 2025. He posted a 2.31 ERA in 66 1/3 innings
Magno, most recently with the Tigers’ organization, pitched for Double-A Erie in 2025. He posted a 2.31 ERA in 66 1/3 innings
November 26, 2025 at 9:36 PM
The Orioles are signing left-hander Andrew Magno to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, per source.
Magno, most recently with the Tigers’ organization, pitched for Double-A Erie in 2025. He posted a 2.31 ERA in 66 1/3 innings
Magno, most recently with the Tigers’ organization, pitched for Double-A Erie in 2025. He posted a 2.31 ERA in 66 1/3 innings
Mike Shildt and the Orioles go way back. His mother worked for their Double-A affiliate, and a young Schildt shined Cal Ripken Jr.'s cleats when Cal was a prospect. Cool look from MLB . com a few years ago: www.mlb.com/news/mike-sh...
Shildt mesmerized by Ripken's work ethic
On Sept. 6, 1995, the night that Lou Gehrig's all-time record for consecutive games played was broken, 27-year-old Mike Shildt watched as the numbers on the warehouse behind right field were changed f...
www.mlb.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Mike Shildt and the Orioles go way back. His mother worked for their Double-A affiliate, and a young Schildt shined Cal Ripken Jr.'s cleats when Cal was a prospect. Cool look from MLB . com a few years ago: www.mlb.com/news/mike-sh...
Orioles hire former Padres manager Mike Shildt to help with player development: www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Orioles hire former Padres manager Mike Shildt for coordinator role
The Orioles are bringing former Padres manager Mike Shildt aboard in a minor league player development role, a source confirmed. Shildt, who recently departed San Diego after two seasons with 90 wins ...
www.thebanner.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Orioles hire former Padres manager Mike Shildt to help with player development: www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
The Orioles are hiring former Padres manager Mike Shildt as their upper level minor league coordinator of instruction, source confirms. And Samuel Vega is the lower level coordinator.
@rochkubatko.bsky.social had both of these first
@rochkubatko.bsky.social had both of these first
November 26, 2025 at 6:06 PM
The Orioles are hiring former Padres manager Mike Shildt as their upper level minor league coordinator of instruction, source confirms. And Samuel Vega is the lower level coordinator.
@rochkubatko.bsky.social had both of these first
@rochkubatko.bsky.social had both of these first
After the Tomoyuki Sugano experience, Orioles are ramping up efforts to sign Japanese players.
“We’ve demonstrated we can be a destination, and we’re going to keep working on that.”
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
“We’ve demonstrated we can be a destination, and we’re going to keep working on that.”
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Mike Elias says Orioles are ramping up efforts to sign Japanese players
“Last year was a start, but we have scouts in the front office who are experienced in Asia,” Elias said. “They make multiple trips a year.”
www.thebanner.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:13 PM
After the Tomoyuki Sugano experience, Orioles are ramping up efforts to sign Japanese players.
“We’ve demonstrated we can be a destination, and we’re going to keep working on that.”
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
“We’ve demonstrated we can be a destination, and we’re going to keep working on that.”
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Sonny Gray for, essentially, $21 million is a very good deal
Just to clarify on Gray -- he and the Red Sox reworked his contract, so that he'll earn $31 million in 2026 with a $10 million buyout of his mutual option for 2027. The Cardinals are sending $20M towards his salary for 2026. So: The Sox pay Gray $11M in 2026, then $10 million for the buyout.
November 25, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Sonny Gray for, essentially, $21 million is a very good deal
“I’m looking for pitches in the heart of the plate,” Taylor Ward said. “I think that gives me the best chance to have the most success.”
That approach worked.
Ward hit .395 when swinging against middle-middle pitches with a 1.123 slugging percentage.
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
That approach worked.
Ward hit .395 when swinging against middle-middle pitches with a 1.123 slugging percentage.
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Taylor Ward’s prowess for punishing mistake pitches will translate well to Orioles
When Taylor Ward described his hitting philosophy on a video call with reporters Monday, the newly acquired Orioles outfielder recited almost word for word a staple of Baltimore’s hitting program for ...
www.thebanner.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
“I’m looking for pitches in the heart of the plate,” Taylor Ward said. “I think that gives me the best chance to have the most success.”
That approach worked.
Ward hit .395 when swinging against middle-middle pitches with a 1.123 slugging percentage.
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
That approach worked.
Ward hit .395 when swinging against middle-middle pitches with a 1.123 slugging percentage.
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Geoff Arnold, TV and radio play-by-play announcer, to leave Orioles coverage team
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Broadcaster Geoff Arnold to leave Orioles coverage team
Arnold has been part of Baltimore’s announcing crew since 2020.
www.thebanner.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Geoff Arnold, TV and radio play-by-play announcer, to leave Orioles coverage team
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Taylor Ward came up as a catcher before switching to the outfield. Asked if he could play as a third catcher for the Orioles, he said he could, but "I think if that is something that they were interested in, I feel like they would have told me that by now."
November 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Taylor Ward came up as a catcher before switching to the outfield. Asked if he could play as a third catcher for the Orioles, he said he could, but "I think if that is something that they were interested in, I feel like they would have told me that by now."
Taylor Ward: "This team [the Orioles] is definitely capable of making a deep playoff run, and I'm excited to join that."
November 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Taylor Ward: "This team [the Orioles] is definitely capable of making a deep playoff run, and I'm excited to join that."
Taylor Ward, the new Orioles outfielder, is on a video call with reporters. He said he knows Zach Eflin and asked him plenty of questions about the Os.
Ward has also talked with Craig Albernaz and Dustin Lind, who he called "fiery guys." Ward is excited to play for them
Ward has also talked with Craig Albernaz and Dustin Lind, who he called "fiery guys." Ward is excited to play for them
November 24, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Taylor Ward, the new Orioles outfielder, is on a video call with reporters. He said he knows Zach Eflin and asked him plenty of questions about the Os.
Ward has also talked with Craig Albernaz and Dustin Lind, who he called "fiery guys." Ward is excited to play for them
Ward has also talked with Craig Albernaz and Dustin Lind, who he called "fiery guys." Ward is excited to play for them
Orioles play-by-play announcer Geoff Arnold is departing Baltimore's coverage team ahead of 2026, source confirms, as @brittghiroli.bsky.social reported. Arnold did TV and radio
November 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Orioles play-by-play announcer Geoff Arnold is departing Baltimore's coverage team ahead of 2026, source confirms, as @brittghiroli.bsky.social reported. Arnold did TV and radio
Close your eyes and pretend you just transported to 1965, although it’s a 21-year-old in Chicago cranking out throwback gems. Sharp Pins’ latest: open.spotify.com/track/2fLhiv...
Talking In Your Sleep
open.spotify.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Close your eyes and pretend you just transported to 1965, although it’s a 21-year-old in Chicago cranking out throwback gems. Sharp Pins’ latest: open.spotify.com/track/2fLhiv...
This graphic from @invisibae.bsky.social puts into perspective the Orioles’ poor run of first-round pitching since 1991. Only three teams have generated less WAR from first rounders, and one of them didn’t begin as a team until 1998. Another, the Braves, built one of the best rotations via trade
November 22, 2025 at 3:26 PM
This graphic from @invisibae.bsky.social puts into perspective the Orioles’ poor run of first-round pitching since 1991. Only three teams have generated less WAR from first rounders, and one of them didn’t begin as a team until 1998. Another, the Braves, built one of the best rotations via trade
Let’s get this straight. I pay for Fubo to have cable channels. I pay for Peacock to get 75% of Premier League games. The one match I want is West Ham, which is on cable, and Fubo and NBC are fighting, so all of this money spent = I can’t watch West Ham
November 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Let’s get this straight. I pay for Fubo to have cable channels. I pay for Peacock to get 75% of Premier League games. The one match I want is West Ham, which is on cable, and Fubo and NBC are fighting, so all of this money spent = I can’t watch West Ham
Since 1991, the year after Baltimore drafted Mike Mussina, the Orioles have taken 20 first-round pitchers. They’ve generated 19.9 WAR combined when pitching for the Orioles — 27th out of 30 MLB teams.
From @invisibae.bsky.social
and me, the long run of bad luck:
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
From @invisibae.bsky.social
and me, the long run of bad luck:
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Grayson Rodriguez trade highlights Orioles’ inability to develop pitching
Before Rodriguez, there were Cody Sedlock, Matt Hobgood, Adam Loewen and more.
www.thebanner.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Since 1991, the year after Baltimore drafted Mike Mussina, the Orioles have taken 20 first-round pitchers. They’ve generated 19.9 WAR combined when pitching for the Orioles — 27th out of 30 MLB teams.
From @invisibae.bsky.social
and me, the long run of bad luck:
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
From @invisibae.bsky.social
and me, the long run of bad luck:
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Mike Elias says the risk of trading Grayson Rodriguez was worth the reward of outfield stability.
Taylor Ward “really fit us, and there weren’t a lot of big power right-handed guys on the market this year.”
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Taylor Ward “really fit us, and there weren’t a lot of big power right-handed guys on the market this year.”
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Mike Elias says Rodriguez-for-Ward deal brings 'a lot of stability' to outfield
"I think it’s going to hopefully make the rest of the lineup better,” Elias said. “He really fit us, and there weren’t a lot of big power right-handed guys on the market this year.”
www.thebanner.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Mike Elias says the risk of trading Grayson Rodriguez was worth the reward of outfield stability.
Taylor Ward “really fit us, and there weren’t a lot of big power right-handed guys on the market this year.”
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Taylor Ward “really fit us, and there weren’t a lot of big power right-handed guys on the market this year.”
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Mike Elias on whether center field is still a position on need:
November 21, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Mike Elias on whether center field is still a position on need:
When asked about the weight measured in a deal like this -- Grayson Rodriguez has four years of team control but hasn't pitched in over a year vs. Taylor Ward's last year -- Mike Elias said Ward could be a qualifying offer guy next year.
Also: "I think is the right move."
Also: "I think is the right move."
November 21, 2025 at 11:34 PM
When asked about the weight measured in a deal like this -- Grayson Rodriguez has four years of team control but hasn't pitched in over a year vs. Taylor Ward's last year -- Mike Elias said Ward could be a qualifying offer guy next year.
Also: "I think is the right move."
Also: "I think is the right move."
Mike Elias said the Orioles are "in pursuit" of a prominent starting pitcher this winter, as he has said a few times this winter. He adds that Baltimore will look to improve the depth of the pitching staff as well
November 21, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Mike Elias said the Orioles are "in pursuit" of a prominent starting pitcher this winter, as he has said a few times this winter. He adds that Baltimore will look to improve the depth of the pitching staff as well
"We very well might. ... We're definitely still pursuing upgrades to the lineup." -- Mike Elias on whether the Orioles could still be in play for another impact bat
November 21, 2025 at 11:10 PM
"We very well might. ... We're definitely still pursuing upgrades to the lineup." -- Mike Elias on whether the Orioles could still be in play for another impact bat
Mike Elias said the trade for Taylor Ward in exchange for Grayson Rodriguez impacts the 2026 lineup, and there weren't many options on the free agent or trade market that matched what Ward could bring to Baltimore
November 21, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Mike Elias said the trade for Taylor Ward in exchange for Grayson Rodriguez impacts the 2026 lineup, and there weren't many options on the free agent or trade market that matched what Ward could bring to Baltimore
Mike Elias said tendering a contract for Ryan Mountcastle is because he's "a big part of our picture right now" and that the Orioles believe in Mountcastle's ability at the plate
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Mike Elias said tendering a contract for Ryan Mountcastle is because he's "a big part of our picture right now" and that the Orioles believe in Mountcastle's ability at the plate
Orioles POBO Mike Elias said Baltimore still hopes to discuss a return for right-hander Albert Suárez despite non-tendering him. Elias leaves the door open
November 21, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Orioles POBO Mike Elias said Baltimore still hopes to discuss a return for right-hander Albert Suárez despite non-tendering him. Elias leaves the door open