Leading Off

It’s been a month, and we’ve had time to lick our Orioles-related wounds (despite the fact that Grandma said that would make us go blind…). And you know what? We kind of miss baseball! Come talk to us after game number three of the season, but for now, it’s a good feeling.

The Orioles are making some business moves, as they prepare for the Winter Meetings. There isn’t much going on, but what scraps we find, we discuss in too great detail. It’s another signature Bird’s Eye View episode.

Join us for The Drink of the Week. Don’t forget to drink socially with us on Untappd.

This Week on the Twitters

Here is what is happening in the world of Orioles Baseball, in 280 characters, or fewer:

Next season, Manny Machado will be surrounded by folks he knew from the Orioles' organization — in addition to new bench coach Bobby Dickerson and new first base coach Wayne Kirby, the Padres have hired Ryan Flaherty, Machado's teammate, to oversee quality control.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 22, 2019

Quote this with your most controversial opinion about the Yankee Stadium right field foul pole

— Freddie (@FreddieTheOsFan) November 26, 2019

The Orioles have announced that weeknight games prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day will begin at 6:35 p.m. for the 2020 season. https://t.co/WeAhSgGKCX

— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) November 14, 2019

Telling my kids this was Raul Ibañez pic.twitter.com/5gMMS92BB9

— Orioles Fan Ryan (@OriolesFanRyan) November 20, 2019

Elias on MLB investigation into Astros electronically stealing signs: “The fact that there’s apparently an investigation ongoing prohibits me from making any type of public comment about it. I was almost exclusively focused on the amateur scouting and the minor leagues.” #orioles

— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) November 15, 2019

I am Orioles. 🔥🌪🔥 pic.twitter.com/a18aoGbZtt

— jonathan villar (@JRvillar6) November 8, 2019

Chris and Jill Davis made a record $3 million donation to the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital this morning. The facility the donation is going toward will be named for their daughter, Evie. #Orioles https://t.co/aA3jDscehw

— Nathan Ruiz (@NathanSRuiz) November 4, 2019

Around the Bases

First Base: Roster Review

Aaron Brooks goes to Korea
Orioles protect prospects from the 2020 Rule 5 Draft
Ryan Ripken is still a thing?
Non-tender candidates

Second Base: Elsewhere in the Organization

Orioles finalized their MiL coaching staffs
Anthony Sanders joins the major league coaching staff

Third Base: Smart Business

Holiday Pack
Winter Warmup

Home Plate: #TheBrianRobertsWatch

Brian Roberts is on the MLB Hall of Fame ballot in 2020

Minor Squabbles

Major League Baseball has proposed a new relationship with Minor League Baseball that will reduce the number of minor league affiliates by 42 – of which, Aberdeen and Frederick are on the possible chopping block.

This is just the first salvo in what is likely to be a long negotiation, however the proposal raises interesting questions about MLB’s motives, and – self interested or not – maybe they have a point on some things.

We discuss the possible future landscape of MiLB, including the teams in our own back yard.

Blowing the Save

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Most podcasts try to end on a high note – the perfect coda to a quality program. That’s just not our style. Each week, we’ll end on a weak note, blowing the save with an item that didn’t quite fit into the episode, or something they simply need to get off their chests. It’s our version of taking the ball and pulling a Kevin Gregg.