Saturday Bird Droppings: Nearly One Month Until Spring Training Begins
Good morning, Birdland!
Are you feeling the anticipation building as spring training approaches? It’s almost here, and while the wait for the next big move on the pitching front can be a bit nerve-wracking, there’s plenty of excitement to look forward to. The new season is just around the corner!
According to MLB.com, pitchers and catchers who are participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic are set to report to Sarasota starting February 9th. Notably, players like Dean Kremer from Israel and Rico Garcia from Puerto Rico will be among them. The remaining pitchers and catchers are expected to join a couple of days later, on February 11th.
Position players involved in the WBC are required to arrive at Ed Smith Stadium by February 11th as well, which includes stars such as Gunnar Henderson representing the USA and Tyler O’Neill from Canada. The rest of the squad is expected to arrive by February 16th.
The Orioles’ Grapefruit League schedule kicks off on February 20th. Fans can look forward to special matchups, including a game against Team Netherlands on March 3rd. Meanwhile, the World Baseball Classic officially kicks off on March 5th, with the USA’s first game scheduled for March 6th against Brazil.
Now, here’s where it gets controversial: many of us eagerly want to know how we will be able to watch Orioles games while they’re in Florida. But as has become an annual tradition, the specifics remain a mystery. Over recent years, MASN has broadcast a handful of games, the Orioles Radio Network has provided coverage for a few more, and fans often have to rely on streaming or opposition broadcasts for the remaining matchups.
It’s understandable that ratings for spring training games hosted midday aren’t sky-high, and broadcasting these games incurs costs that may not be justified given the viewership. Additionally, cable providers that carry MASN often charge extra monthly fees, and unless your interest is in college basketball or horse racing, these games might not seem worth the additional expense during winter.
It seems reasonable to suggest that MLB should step in and mandate that every club provides some form of broadcast for all home games during spring training. The away team could simply broadcast this feed in their local markets. Although I’d prefer not to have Yankees announcers chatter about young prospects with little chance of making the team, I’d gladly take that trade-off if it meant being able to watch Orioles baseball.
Links:
- Orioles Outright Will Robertson | MLB Trade Rumors. A recent move by Mike Elias shows his typical strategic approach—claiming players and then Designated For Assignment (DFA) shortly after, aiming to sneak them through waivers to Triple-A without clogging the 40-man roster. Robertson remains in camp and still has a shot at making the team, although the outfield is quite crowded.
- Orioles’ Birdland Caravan returns with a star-studded lineup, including Pete Alonso. The events, happening from Montgomery County to Bel Air, Baltimore, Frederick, and beyond, will feature players, coaches, the Oriole Bird, and Mr. Splash. Ticket information and schedules can be found at Orioles.com.
- More questions from fans are addressed in Roch Kubatko’s latest blog, highlighting that the international signing period kicks off this week—meaning the Orioles are likely to add fresh talent to their roster soon.
- When it comes to predicting future World Series winners, the MLB.com article mentions some teams but notes that the Orioles’ star has dimmed after last year’s challenging season. However, a strong bounce-back could set them back on the path of contention.
Orioles Birthdays:
- José Castillo turns 30 today. The left-hander pitched in five games out of the bullpen last year.
- Rico Garcia is 32. He had an impressive 20-game stint with the Orioles last season, posting a 2.84 ERA over 19 innings. He’s seen as a strong contender for a middle relief role in 2026.
- Aríel Miranda, the Cuban-born pitcher, turns 37. He pitched in just one game for the Orioles in 2016 before being traded to the Mariners for Wade Miley.
- Rick Bauer celebrates his 49th birthday. From 2001 to 2005, Bauer was a familiar face in the Orioles’ bullpen, pitching 240 innings across 125 appearances with a 4.58 ERA.
This day in Orioles history:
- 1991: The Orioles make a controversial trade, sending Curt Schilling, Pete Harnisch, and Steve Finley to Houston in exchange for slugger Glenn Davis—a move many fans now consider misguided.
- 2000: After the Orioles decline a four-year, $29 million deal due to a physical issue, right-hander Aaron Sele signs with the Mariners on a two-year, $15 million contract.
- 2012: The Orioles sign Taiwanese lefty Wei-Yin Chen to a three-year deal. Chen was released by the Chunichi Dragons and was not subject to the usual posting process used for Asian players coming to MLB.
What are your thoughts on these developments? Do you believe spring training broadcasts should be universally accessible? And which team do you see as the biggest threat to winning a World Series over the next decade? Drop your comments below and join the conversation!
