Tillman could return to O’s rotation
Pitcher expected to make decision by early next week; first glimpse for Stewart
SARASOTA, FLA. – A potential reunion between the Orioles and right-hander Chris Tillman is very much still alive as the team looks to continue to upgrade its rotation after the signing of former Texas Rangers starter Andrew Cashner.
Mutual interest remains between the sides and Tillman was expected to make his decision on where he will pitch this season within 48 to 72 hours, an industry source said Friday. Tillman has had significant recent discussions with the Orioles, Minnesota Twins and two other clubs.
The Orioles arrived at spring training this week with just two rotation spots filled, by right-handers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman, and even with the addition of Cashner, the club remains focused on adding one more veteran starter.
Tillman averaged 14 wins and 32 starts with a 3.91 ERA from 2013 to 2016 before struggling to an unsightly 7.84 ERAover 20 games (19 starts) last season. Tillman, who turns 30 on April 15, is still seeking a one-year deal with the opportunity to rebound from his off year and test the free-agent market again after this season.
He remains open to a deal with a lower base salary that would include high performance incentives that would reward him for up to 30 starts and 200 innings. The Orioles are also seeking a low base salary that would offer incentives to give the club protection to cut ties in the case that Tillman doesn’t show signs of a resurgence.
While the Orioles have discussed the structure of a deal with Tillman, it’s not clear that they have actually made him an offer.
“It’s not really appropriate for me to talk about other players that are on the market,” Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said when asked about Tillman on Friday. “I know Chris has been on our team for a long time, but it’s just not appropriate to talk about free-agent pitchers that are on the market. There are a number that are still available and there are some pitchers who are available via trade that we’re also exploring.”
Even though he is a free agent, Tillman spent someof his offseason working out at the Orioles’ spring training facility in Sarasota, and was there as recently as the eve of report day for pitchers and catchers. Because the Orioles know Tillman well, and he’s had success with the organization, a reunion always seemed possible. Chris Tillman Orioles outfield prospect DJ Stewart is taking part in his first big league training camp at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla.
After a slow-moving free-agent market, several similar pitchers to Tillman have found homes over the past 24 hours. Cashner inked a two-year, $16 million deal with the Orioles and left-hander Jaime García signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, and left-hander JasonVargasfinalized atwo- year, $16 million deal with the New York Mets on Friday. Stewart excited for first big league camp: The lofty expectations of being a first-round draft pick have followed outfielder DJ Stewart since the Orioles selected him 25th overall out of Florida State in 2015. But as the 24-year-old Stewart reported early to his first big league camp Friday, he’s eager to build on the breakout season that led to his nonroster invitation.
“It feels great,” Stewart said Friday morning, three days before the team’s first fullsquad workout. “To finally get the opportunity to come over here and learn from the guys who have been doing it for so long, it’s a great opportunity for me and a great time for me to learn and get as much information and become a better player.”
Stewart is coming off his best year as a professional, a season that included 21homers and 20 steals along with an .859 OPS that came playing at Double-ABowie, legitimizing his status as a prospect.
“I think I just got back to being who I was,” he said. “And the older you get, the more mature you become and just staying within myself and not trying to do too much and try to put [aside] the name and title of where I was drafted and just going out there and relaxing and have fun again, and I had a successful season.”
Stewart knowshehas the pressure of living uptobeingafirst-roundpick. Buthebeganhis pro career with two pedestrian seasons.
“Your first impression is a lasting impression, so I wanted to do everything I could for everyone to know who I was,” Stewart said. “And I think I put that in my head a little bit too much, so kind of going back to the basics and just being DJ and that’s all I can do to be successful for myself.” Minor league staffs announced: The Orioles announced their minor league staffs Friday, and former farmhand Buck Britton was promoted from hitting coach to manager at Low-ADelmarva.
Britton, who is the older brother of Orioles closer Zach Britton, spent seven of his nine professional seasons in the Orioles organization, and impressed the organization in 2017 in his first year as a coach.
Former Orioles third baseman Ryan Minor, who has been the manager at Delmarva for six of the past seven years, moved up to High-AFrederick, where he managed in 2013.
Also, Keith Bodie, who managed the Keys the past two seasons, will become the Frederick hitting coach.
Britton’s old position as Delmarva hitting coach will be assumed by Bobby Rose, who comes over from the Texas Rangers organization, where he was a hitting instructor with Short-A Spokane, Low-A Hickory and High-A High Desert and Down East over the past five seasons.
Ron Johnson (Triple-A Norfolk), Gary Kendall (Double-A Bowie), Kevin Bradshaw ( Short-A Aberdeen) and Carlos Tosca (Gulf Coast League) all return managing the Orioles’ other minor league affiliates. Around the horn: Former Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will join the Orioles’ radio broadcasts on 105.7 The Fan for select games as a game analyst this season, the club announced Friday. Roberts also served as an analyst on select MASN TV broadcasts last season. … Showalter said Zach Britton (ruptured right Achilles tendon), who was placed on the 60-day disabled list to make 40-man roster space for Cashner, will be eligible to return from the DL on May 28. … Aside from Stewart, first baseman Chris Davis and nonroster infielder Ryan Mountcastle were among the position players who worked out Friday in advance of Monday’s first full-squad workout.