Because You Asked - On the Rocks

The Orioles entered a new week with a deeper rotation and the motivation to keep searching for pitching.

Camp doesn’t open for another six weeks.

The mailbag opened again over the weekend. You asked and I answered, leaving us with the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original.

I don’t do much editing, but I provide reminders that my mailbag owns a snow blower and your mailbag shovels the driveway with a spatula.

Even if another starting pitcher and reliever are added to this roster, the current 2025 team seems like we're starting with less than we did in 2024. The Yankees and Red Sox both improved dramatically on paper, and the Blue Jays are still frantically searching for free agents who'll accept Canadian money. The Rays always restock from within, so they can never be counted out. What must Mike Elias do to make this year's Orioles a viable contender, or is this destined to be a "regrouping" year?
There is no prize money for longest question. Just so you know. This question was submitted before the Charlie Morton signing, but I’m sure it holds up. The Orioles already consider themselves contenders based on their returning players and additions. They expect better production from hitters who slumped and they’re counting on better health. Also, the offseason isn’t over. I’m sure you’ve been reminded that they traded for Corbin Burnes on Feb. 1. I think this is a playoff team. That’s as far as I’ll go right now.

How do we plan on replacing the 100-plus RBIs that Santander drove in?
He drove in runs, not RBIs, but back to your question. The Orioles don’t need one player to finish with 44 homers and 102 RBIs. They can find power and run production from Tyler O’Neill, a more experienced Colton Cowser and maybe a full season out of Heston Kjerstad. They expect more offense from their backup catcher after signing Gary Sánchez. Coby Mayo could bust out if he’s on the roster. Adley Rutschman shouldn’t repeat his second half last season.

Do you think Emmanuel Rivera will be on the O’s Opening Day roster?
Not unless they create a spot with a trade or an injury. He agreed to a $1 million deal to avoid arbitration, but where does he fit on a roster with all of these other infielders? Rivera is out of options, so he’d have to pass through waivers if the Orioles want to outright him.

About the baseball. It currently has 108 stitches. Should we increase it to 109 stitches or 107 stitches?
Cover the entire ball in stitches. Pitchers will get a better grip and hitters will feel safer.

Would the Orioles consider moving Jackson Holliday to the outfield – left or center, with Colton Cowser in the other spot - with Jordan Westburg at second base, Coby Mayo at third and Cedric Mullins the fourth outfielder?
No.

Would you care to elaborate on whether the Orioles would consider moving Jackson Holliday to the outfield?
Yes.

And?
At last check, the Orioles still didn’t want to give Holliday a new position. They wanted him at second base. They wanted Mullins in center on most nights. Jackson already had to get comfortable at second. Let’s not put anything else on the young man’s plate while he tries to hit major league pitching.

With the outfield wall moving in, that creates a void between the left field fans and the fence ranging from 13-26 feet. That's too small for a swimming pool, even if Mr. Splash expands his duties to lifeguard, so presumably they'll just cover that area with a tarp. That space could be converted to premium on-field seating or even serve as the new press box location. Assuming you haven’t heard many details on this, I'd still like to know your thoughts.
We were told that extra seats wouldn’t be added. That’s the extent of the information. You couldn’t put a press box there, and no one in the media wants to cover a game from that distance, though I probably could be talked into the center field bar.

Which Oriole will provide fans with the most pleasant surprise in 2025?
A. Kjerstad
B. Holliday
C. Mayo
D. Sugano
E. McDermott
I suppose it depends on their expectations. If they’re judging Jackson Holliday off his first season in the majors … surprise! He’s gonna be a better hitter. Coby Mayo just needs the at-bats, but I don’t know where he’s gonna find them. The surprise could be how it happens. Chayce McDermott will have to wait his turn. I’ll say Tomoyuki Sugano is going to be a really solid No. 4 or 5 and easily adapt to the majors with his six-pitch mix and understanding of his craft.

I think the Robinson Chirinos hire as bench coach is underrated. What difference(s) do you think Chirinos makes to the team, and how does this make a difference in the postseason?
I don’t think it’s going to be that noticeable while watching games, and Fredi González is highly respected. But he isn’t that far removed from playing and is relatable to these guys. He was hugely popular in the clubhouse. His leadership qualities will transfer to the coaching side. He’s a resource for pitchers and hitters.

Most important, how are you feeling?
The heart and lungs seem better. Thanks for asking. Now I have what I'm diagnosing as an infected tooth. Pain that's spread along my jawline and the left side of my neck. I'm trying to get an emergency dental appointment. It's always something. I was wondering if I had the stamina to shovel my driveway and sidewalk. I still have to be careful about the amount of weight I lift, and I can't expand my chest. Fortunately, I live on a street with wonderful neighbors like Steve Taylor and Matt Dawson, who did it for us without saying a word about it. Just showed up with shovels in hand and their usual supply of kindness and compassion. Pat Williams arrived later with his snow blower, and Krystle Orellana cleared off my SUV. They all have such good hearts, and they didn't need a cow valve to make it happen. Other friends also volunteered their services. I see free Orioles tickets in their futures. 

Should anyone with tickets to an Orioles game be excited about Charlie Morton?
Maybe "excited" is asking a little too much. It isn't necessary. You could, for example, be happy that the rotation is deeper and includes a veteran who makes 30-plus starts, has a track record and is trusted in big games. It's a one-year commitment. It isn't your $15 million. And he isn't being sold to the public as the No. 1 starter and seamless replacement for Corbin Burnes. The Orioles could be attacking the rotation issue with quantity. But also, they don't appear done with their offseason business. They could swing a trade for an upgrade that perhaps includes a major league starter. We're only a week into 2025.   

The roster construction feels a bit off. If the concern, for example, is about too many left-handed hitters, why pick up Ryan O'Hearn's option? Is there concern that the roster crunch will lead to guys they also won't trade, like Coby Mayo, going to the minors for most of the year?
Right-handed hitters Tyler O’Neill and Gary Sánchez are on the roster to provide some balance. O’Hearn’s left-handed bat complements Ryan Mountcastle’s right-handed bat. And trust me, the Orioles aren’t concerned about having the kind of depth that could force Mayo and others onto the Triple-A roster. A team doesn’t make it through a season using the same 13 hitters.

Do you know of a way to get the Orioles to use the song "Streets of Baltimore" at Camden Yards? It's a good tune that's been covered by plenty of people and would fit in well if played at games.
I’ve never heard it. Pleading ignorant here. I’ll mention it to Woody the deejay. I hope it’s more upbeat than “Streets of Philadelphia.”

With six picks in the Top 100 this year, think there is time to draft and develop someone before Gunnar Henderson leaves?
Oh man, why’d you have to go there? The Orioles selected University of Virginia shortstop Griff O’Ferrall 32^nd overall in last year’s draft. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the organization’s No. 7 prospect. Coincidentally, the Orioles earned the compensatory pick because Henderson was chosen Rookie of the Year.

If Mayo looks more ready than Holliday in spring training, is there a scenario where you see Westburg at second and Mayo at third?
It isn’t impossible. If Holliday is unexpectedly optioned, that would create an opportunity for Mayo. Ramón Urías and Jorge Mateo also can play second, and Urías won a Gold Glove at third.

If there was one trade in Orioles history you could go back and refuse, which deal would it be?
I’ll go along with the majority and say Glenn Davis prior to the 1991 season. It cost the Orioles Steve Finley, Pete Harnisch and Curt Schilling. I wasn’t covering the team back then, but I celebrated the trade because other teams in the division had a big power bat in the middle of the lineup, including Mo Vaughn in Boston and Joe Carter in Toronto. The Orioles couldn’t predict that Davis would suffer a nerve injury in his neck that ruined his career. Sending Eddie Murray to the Dodgers for Juan Bell, Brian Holton and Ken Howell was unforgivable. Otherwise, you could cherry pick any of the roster dismantling 2000 deadline deals. They got little or nothing for B.J. Surhoff, Will Clark, Charles Johnson, Harold Baines, Mike Timlin, Mike Bordick … It hurts to talk about it.

Follow up: If there were two Orioles free agents we should have resigned, who is your second after Mike Mussina?
It’s “re-signed.” Nelson Cruz immediately comes to mind. I know there are people who will say Corbin Burnes, but we don’t know how that deal is going to work out. Mussina and Cruz were avoidable. Mussina wasn’t going to be forced into another hometown discount, and the Orioles were, shall we say, sluggish in negotiations. They didn’t want to give Cruz a fourth season due to health concerns. Those guys weren’t swayed by geography. They wanted to stay.

Before they sign, do free agents try to make sure that the club their negotiating with will also have the financial wherewithal to trade for a big contract player at the deadline? Asking for a left-handed harmonica player from Kalamazoo (we're not really friends).
It’s “they’re.” And there certainly are free agents who want reassurances about a team’s commitment to winning. That includes “financial wherewithal." (You were OK spelling “wherewithal” but not “they’re?”)

Let it go.
That isn’t a question.

What do you think will be the biggest Catie Griggs project in 2025? And don't say "your mom."
I'd never! I’m ignorant to the business side of the operation, but I know she’s immersed in ballpark upgrades, which will begin this year but really gain steam for the 2026 season.

Will they let Tomoyuki Sugano use his sticky balls from Japan?
No. He’s got to use the same baseballs as everybody else.

Do you think that Mayo could take Urias' job with a strong spring training?
Only in the sense that removing Urías from the roster would create room for another infielder. But Mayo isn’t a utility player. He doesn’t play second base and shortstop, and he’s relatively new to first. They don’t have the same skill set, so I wouldn’t view it as a typical head-to-head competition.

Questions: Ginger or Maryanne? Monica or Rachel? Jackie or Sarah (Too Close for Comfort)?
It’s “Mary Ann.” Holy crap, people. Also, Rachel – I called that one after one episode of “Friends” – and whichever one was the blonde.

What is OPS+?
Besides something I seldom if ever use? It’s a statistic that adjusts a player's on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) for league and park factors. It’s supposed to provide a more accurate reading of a player’s performance by taking external factors into consideration.

I noticed that the Orioles biggest decline offensively was when Jordan Westburg went down. I think the improvements from Adley Rutschman, Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad and Jackson Holliday will go a long way toward making our offense better. Thoughts?
I agree, and this also is how the Orioles approach it. They can get better by limiting the slumps from their best hitters and getting full seasons out of Kjerstad and Holliday.

An article by you a few weeks ago mentioned four untouchable prospects: Jackson Holliday, Sameul Basallo, Coby Mayo and Enrique Bradfield Jr. Did you write Heston Kjerstad in invisible ink?
Did you take sarcasm lessons at the local community college? Seriously though, I’ve referenced him as an untouchable in the past. Don’t know about now, though my expectation is that he’s the fourth outfielder this season and one of the designated hitters. I also should mention that I say “untouchables” based on what I’ve heard around the league. It isn’t a list provided by the team. It’s like the No. 1 Dad mug on Seinfeld. “I don’t know how official any of these rankings really are.”

From the original Charlie's Angels : Jill, Kelly or Sabrina?
Some of you people are getting weirder. Jill Munroe – note the proper spelling, please – played by Farrah Fawcett. But there’s no wrong answer here.

Did the Orioles ever replace T.J. Brightman?
Yesterday, they announced the hiring of Don Rovak as chief revenue officer. Rovak just completing his 17^th year with AMB Sports and Entertainment, a company comprised of the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons, Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Drive GC, and PGA TOUR Superstore. His responsibilities included Mercedes-Benz Stadium events, private events and Falcons and Atlanta United ticket sales, service, and ticket operations departments. “I am thrilled to arrive in Baltimore, and to be a part of such a historic franchise with so much opportunity ahead,” Rovak said in a statement. “I look forward to developing relationships with the fans and the corporate community as we embark on an exciting O’s season.”

Have you ever seen a deer in its natural habitat?
This is probably a good place to stop.

What if you could take a pill to make flatulence smell like any pleasant scent, what would it be?
This is definitely a good place to stop.