Andy Kostka
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afkostka.bsky.social
Andy Kostka
@afkostka.bsky.social
Orioles beat reporter for the Baltimore Banner
The Orioles, who had a 9.24% chance at the first overall pick in the MLB draft lottery, land the seventh pick instead.

Baltimore entered with the fourth-best odds but fall to seven
December 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
The MLB draft lottery begins at 5:30, and the Orioles have the fourth-best chance to land the top pick (9.24%). Orioles hall of famer Mike Devereaux is Baltimore’s representative for the lottery
December 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Andy Kostka
Jon Meoli: The Orioles stars keep telling Craig Albernaz the same thing. What does it mean?
Jon Meoli: What Orioles players told Craig Albernaz and why it matters
“They talked through what they need to do to get better and win games,” Albernaz said. “A lot of it has been just attacking the little things each day. That gets lost, especially with young players,...
buff.ly
December 9, 2025 at 9:47 PM
With Kyle Schwarber off the board, the Orioles are expected to pivot their pursuit of a bat to first baseman Pete Alonso. The Orioles will face ample competition there, too.
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Orioles to pivot to Pete Alonso while also targeting pitching, sources say
The Orioles were firmly in the mix for designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, a source said, although multiple outlets reported that Schwarber opted to return to Philadelphia on a five-year, $150 million d...
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December 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The Orioles were part of the conversation for Kyle Schwarber, as were others. But he heads back to Philadelphia. A major domino falls and the Orioles’ hunt for a major lineup addition moves to other targets
December 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Scott Boras said Mike Elias is committed to adding players this winter and they have been in “regular communication”
December 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Scott Boras on Ranger Suárez: “In the postseason, when you add a Suárez, you’re armed and Rangerous.”
December 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson will represent the U.S. at the World Baseball Classic, the club announces
December 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The Orioles seek an impact bat and are ‘talking to a whole bunch of hitters’

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The Orioles seek an impact bat and are ‘talking to a whole bunch of hitters’
Elias said the Orioles have the payroll flexibility to acquire an impact player for the lineup and rotation.
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December 8, 2025 at 11:52 PM
For what it's worth, when I heard this, I took it to mean that item No. 1 is the fit in the lineup, then the fit defensively. I don't believe Elias meant this overshadows a pitching pursuit
Mike Elias: "Our lineup underperformed their talent level last year, so just kind of injecting more hitting talent into the batting lineup is kind of item No. 1, and the positional aspect is something that we can adjust to after IDing the hitter we want to bring in.”
December 8, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Mike Elias: "Our lineup underperformed their talent level last year, so just kind of injecting more hitting talent into the batting lineup is kind of item No. 1, and the positional aspect is something that we can adjust to after IDing the hitter we want to bring in.”
December 8, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Mike Elias said the Orioles are viewing the hitting market through this lens: "Do they improve the team?"

"If the player is good enough, we can figure out ways to accommodate them, so we have a lot of conversations going on, mostly in free agency, but also some in trades."
December 8, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Mike Elias, on the Orioles’ free agent pursuits, said he is focused on ways to improve the lineup without specifically worrying about position yet.

Elias said there is payroll room for large additions in the lineup and rotation
December 8, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Mike Elias noted that the Orioles have offered long-term contracts before to free agent starting pitchers, and the Orioles are once more willing to combine years with the dollar amount
December 8, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Craig Albernaz said POBO Mike Elias includes him in free agency discussions, but the Orioles manager doesn't give those players a pitch on Baltimore. Albernaz just wants to talk and get to know the player.

"When these guys have options, they’re also interviewing you," Alby said
December 8, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Craig Albernaz has a dry sense of humor, and in his sit-down with reporters at the winter meetings, he showed it again and again. Asked him how his living situation has been so far in Baltimore, and he joked that he wouldn't be putting his address out to the masses
December 8, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Craig Albernaz at the winter meetings said the Orioles’ offensive philosophy will be pared down into individual approaches, because a team “can’t lose sight of what makes players special.”

But on top of that, he joked, however they can score more runs is what the Os will do
December 8, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The Orioles have expressed interest in left-hander Ranger Suárez and right-handers Michael King and Tatsuya Imai, among others, according to sources.

As the winter meetings begin, how aggressive might Baltimore be?
www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
How aggressive will the Orioles be at this week’s winter meetings?
The largest item on Baltimore’s to-do list remains acquiring starting pitching, and the winter meetings may lead to a critical breakthrough as the baseball world descends on Central Florida.
www.thebanner.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
To make room on the 40-man roster for the additions of outfielder Will Robertson and catcher Drew Romo, the Orioles announce they’ve designated first baseman Ryan Noda for assignment
December 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The Orioles have also claimed catcher Drew Romo from the Rockies. He's a 24-year-old switch hitter who debuted in 2024 but has played sparingly at the major league level.

Projects as catching depth
December 5, 2025 at 9:38 PM
As @jakerill.bsky.social first reported, the Orioles claimed outfielder Will Robertson from the Pirates.

Robertson, 27, is mainly a corner outfielder but has played center in the minors. He debuted in 2025, with 27 games for the Blue Jays and White Sox
December 5, 2025 at 8:57 PM
The first snow of the year for Parks!
December 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times is reporting Cedric Mullins is in agreement on a one-year deal with the Rays
December 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Ryan Helsley had options. The Orioles won out. And now here, both he and his team are aiming for a bounce back year:

www.thebanner.com/sports/oriol...
Ryan Helsley explains why he signed with the Orioles
“I think we’ll have a good bullpen, and hopefully we’ll keep adding and make our team a little stronger," Helsley said. "We’re in a tough division, so it’s going to be a lot of fun this year with a lo...
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December 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
December 3, 2025 at 2:28 AM