Because You Asked - The Marsupials

The All-Star Game is over, marking another year with a repeat city since the last time that the Orioles hosted in 1993.

Mike Mussina is still warming in the bullpen. Someone please tap him on the shoulder.

I don’t know when Baltimore will be chosen again. Maybe after Las Vegas.

(Don’t say Nashville, don’t say Nashville).

Perhaps there are other questions that I’m more equipped to handle. Otherwise, this mailbag is reduced to being a poor excuse for filling space during the break.

That wasn’t an invitation to comment.

Let’s do this. You ask, I answer, and we have our latest sequel to the beloved original in 2008. A group hug is possible if we can get organized.

I’ll do as much editing as Mussina did pitching in that All-Star Game.

Also, and this is important, my mailbag drafts players from the Southeastern Conference and yours makes selections out of Strayer University.

We can expect there will be more roster moves before the season ends, for any number of reasons. Two weeks ago, when scoring runs and keeping opponent bats quiet seemed nearly impossible, this next topic would've gotten me laughed out of the room. A trade or two might still happen, but I see no easy roster decisions coming out of this current group. When is the last time a mid-July Orioles roster seemed to have every guy contributing in some way like this?
Sorry, I nodded off. How much did I miss? But seriously, this is the most talented roster since the teardown. You could argue that this is the most young talent in a longer time. Fewer free agent signings and older veterans walking around the place. More elite prospects breaking into the majors. It was a big deal to have Matt Wieters or Manny Machado debut. Now, a trickle is turning into a flood. Anyway, yes, expect more roster moves, lots and lots of them. Near the deadline, at the deadline, after the deadline. Help coming from within and outside the organization. Orioles waters run deep and aren’t stagnant. (In keeping with the water theme in 2023).

This isn't really a well-formed question, but I'm interested in the point Enrique Bradfield made that he hadn't heard much at all from the Orioles. Was it just a matter of we didn't think he'd get to us?
Bradfield didn’t hear directly but wasn’t sure about his agent. The Orioles were thorough in their scouting, though Mike Elias didn’t watch him in person. Louisville-based scout Trent Friedrich did the heavy lifting. But yes, they seemed to be a little surprised that he fell. Elias offered a deep pool of college position players as an explanation.  

Have you heard anything about the Orioles considering contract extensions with guys like Adley Rutschman, Cedric Mullins, Austin Hays, etc?
Not a peep. The Orioles wouldn’t go public with it anyway. The agents, perhaps, but not the club. Doesn’t benefit them. Rutschman would seem like the top priority if you were making out rankings.

Any word on the Orioles’ lease extension at Camden Yards?
Not a peep.

Is there a baseball phrase you hate or just won’t use?
“Punched out” or “punchout” for a strikeout.

What about “Walltimore?”
Punch me if it ever appears in my story or Twitter feed. And don't hold back.

What number will Heston Kjerstad get when he's promoted?
He wore 18 at Arkansas. He’s wearing 9 with Triple-A Norfolk. They are not currently in use. The Orioles didn’t retire 9 for Keon Broxton. Austin Hays wore 18 in 2017, because they didn’t retire it for Drew Stubbs. Then, he switched to 21.

Will Kjerstad be promoted to the majors this season?
It’s possible. He’s in Triple-A at the break. Lots of season left. But there’s got to be room for him. Which takes us back to the earlier question about roster moves.

What about Jackson Holliday playing in the majors by 2024?
I always believed that would happen even before his move up to Double-A Bowie at the break. Which, by the way, is much earlier than I expected. I assumed that he’d stay longer with High-A Aberdeen. Of course, he was with Single-A Delmarva for only 14 games. I suppose 259 plate appearances with the IronBirds were plenty. You can’t stop the talent from flowing through the pipeline.

Admit it, how hard were you rooting for the Orioles to select Roch Cholowsky in the draft?
Who? Oh, yeah. 'Cause of our first names. Didn’t even cross my mind. Didn’t DM him on Twitter this week. Nope. Don’t know anything else about him, except that he’s a prep shortstop from Chandler, Ariz., ranked by Baseball America as the No. 32 prospect in the draft. Rated as having an above-average arm, hands and instincts. Also a three-star quarterback prospect who has a commitment to UCLA. Otherwise, I’m not familiar with him. Must be asking for too much money or teams assume he’s going to college.

Ever heard of any other Rochs?
Well, there’s Saint Roch, “a patron saint of dogs, invalids, falsely accused people, bachelors, and several other things,” an industry source with direct knowledge of saints told MASNsports.com. Also, it’s on his Wikipedia page. My grandmother had a statue of him. I remember rooting for Roch Hontas, a Tulane quarterback who shattered every one of their passing records in 1979 and played in the Liberty Bowl. I hoped that he’d become a household name, so mine wouldn’t be mispronounced or teased. He did not. Apparently, he chose medical school over the NFL and became an orthopedic surgeon. I do this. So, I’m the real winner here.

Who's faster, Enrique Bradfield or Jorge Mateo? And don't say "your mom."
I'd never! I haven’t timed them, but from everything I’ve heard, Bradfield can give a Porsche a 10-second head start and still pass it. So, I’ll say Bradfield.

Does Enrique Bradfield’s selection mean Cedric Mullins isn’t viewed much beyond the near future?
This is an interesting subject. The Orioles selected the best player available on their board. They don’t draft for need. This is the guy they wanted at No. 17. However, Mullins is the 30/30 elephant in the room. They play the same position and are celebrated for their defense and speed. Perhaps Bradfield is the heir apparent. It’s also apparent that I don’t know for sure. Bradfield will head to the Florida Complex League after he signs and probably reach Delmarva. His major league debut isn’t around the corner.

Why was the All-Star Home Run Derby not included in either the Apple or Peacock contracts?
Good one. ESPN had dibs. By the way, I watched because Adley Rutschman was in it. Part of my job. Otherwise, I’d keep binging “The Bear.” But the media loses its collective minds over it. It’s a home run contest. And not the first one. Continue to breathe normally. I was fine tracking the first round on my couch and lunging for the remote as soon as Luis Robert Jr. produced a 28^th fly ball that landed in the seats.

Why not just move back home plate at Camden yards instead of pushing back the left field wall?
They’re pushing it back again??

No. Prior to last season.
Weird conversational mailbag moment. Anyway, they tried that once, in 2001, and it didn’t work. You don’t just move back the plate. The lines are impacted. The foul poles are impacted. It’s a whole thing. Lasted one season.

Regarding the left field renovation, was there any discussion of reconfiguring the bullpens to use some of the open center field grass area under the green wall and create a more gradually deeper left field instead of the abrupt 90-degree turns?
Lots of ideas were discussed, but you can’t mess with the “green wall.” It’s the batter’s eye. Just like how you can’t grow flowering ivy on it or spray paint a mural. The 90-degree angle seemed like such a big deal, but honestly, how often does it really come into play?

Is there a movie ending that leaves you confused?
Why did the old woman throw the necklace overboard at the end of “Titanic?” Didn’t she have grandchildren or great-grandchildren to give it to? Maybe donate it to a museum? Am I missing the symbolism? And did she die at the end or is she just dreaming? And how did we get on this topic?

We look more like a playoff team thus far than a sinking ship. Do you foresee any moves to supplement the roster for the stretch run? If you think they’ll look to add, what prospects might the O’s be willing to part with?
Weird segue mailbag moment. I’m not as comfortable with part two of your question. Don’t want to speak for the front office. But you can see who’s in the majors and who could be blocked. And I don’t think Jordan Westburg is being showcased. Not that anyone asked or suggested it. Are guys like Joey Ortiz, Connor Norby and Coby Mayo on the proverbial table? You tell me. I like to learn. The Orioles are buyers. That’s the mindset. Next comes the actual execution of it.

What moves should the Orioles make to upgrade by the deadline?
A starter who has a top-of-the-rotation pedigree and a middle/setup reliever to make it easier for the Orioles to carry leads to Yennier Cano and Félix Bautista. I don’t claim to know how a starter would fit with Kyle Gibson, Tyler Wells, Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish and eventually Grayson Rodriguez. And this is where I point out how Cole Irvin has allowed two runs this month in 11 1/3 innings. Otherwise, I come across as insensitive. John Means is expected back in August. It’s gonna get crowded. But that’s not my job.

When John Means inevitably returns, do we see him coming out of the bullpen or is he put straight into the rotation to see if our ace can add some quality starts for us?
Great question. If only I had a great answer for you. The assumption is rotation, for obvious reasons, but maybe he’s eased back into competition with some relief innings. If I’m forced to say, I’ll go with rotation despite the potential crowding. But the bullpen isn’t an outrageous concept, and he's done it earlier in his career.

How does the grounds crew decide who gets to hold the end of the hose when they're getting the field ready before a game?
Thanks for not writing “groundscrew.” And let’s go to head groundskeeper Nicole Sherry for the answer: “Each person is assigned a duty every night. If they are on the hose one day they do something different. Rotating out jobs. The end person is the most crucial because if the hose gets yanked there cold be a geyser shooting out of the ground. Each job has a serious role. The hose also produces 150 psi of water so having more people helps carry it around.” Thanks, Nicole.

Is there an innings limit on Tyler Wells? Or any other current rotation members?
It’s an undefined common-sense limit. No arm will be abused. But manager Brandon Hyde said he isn’t putting any restrictions on Wells. There’s no reason to do it with anyone else, especially with Grayson Rodriguez back down in the minors.

How does the team decide who picks clubhouse music?
A clubbie handles it, an industry source with direct knowledge of clubhouse music told MASNsports.com.

What's more likely, trading an infield prospect or an infielder already on the active roster?
Either one is in play. I hear some fans say this would be a good time to deal Jorge Mateo and open up an infield spot. I ask, what’s the market for him? Speed and defense are great, if that’s all you want out of him. Scouts also have been checking on Ramón Urías. They knew since spring training that Mateo and Urías could be moved. But there’s also the strong possibility that an infield prospect or two are dealt for pitching.

What's more likely, trading an outfield prospect or an outfielder already on the active roster?
Either one is in play. Where have I heard that before? The Orioles are contenders, which, to me, makes it less likely that they trade one from the active roster.

Will Mateo be traded by the deadline?
He ain’t untouchable. But again, there has to be a partner. His value isn’t exactly high. But the Orioles might not demand much in return if they go that route.

Do Terrin Vavra and Jorge Mateo fit better here or in, say, San Diego at the trade deadline?
Bringing back Manny Machado? Lots of trade talk here. They ain’t untouchable, but there has to be a partner. I’m now a deejay who spins broken records.

It's been 30 years running since the last All-Star game in Baltimore. Two of the next three games are in Texas (2024) and in Philadelphia (2026). Even though Oakland hasn't hosted since 1987, I don't see them getting it soon. Is MLB reserving the 2025 game for us?
Let’s tell ourselves that until the announcement of Oakland’s farewell tour.

Has a team ever made you an offer to leave your job in the press box and become their hitting coach? Or maybe in your case, their lifting coach?
I’ve been asked to leave, but the reasons were never made clear. Just, please go.

Have you ever been called for jury duty during the baseball season?
I’ve never served. Let’s not jinx it.

Are players who end up down in Sarasota for training at Ed Smith or Twin Lakes?
The Ed Smith Stadium complex has lots of room.

Who do you think is the 1st half MVO?
Good one! This is a press box debate, because we get terribly bored. I’ve gone back and forth. One day I’m convinced it’s Félix Bautista, and the next I talk myself into Austin Hays or Yennier Cano. I suppose it’s hard to make an argument for Cano over Bautista, but I’d give him MSO – Most Surprising Oriole. Don’t sleep on Tyler Wells, who looks like the staff ace. Also, sleeping on Wells sounds real uncomfortable.

Is it just us, or is Jim Palmer getting more, uh, shall I say, direct with what he has to say as he gets older? From a viewer standpoint, it is gold on broadcasts.
I’ve never known Jim to be indirect. Legend.

Recent lineups have had Aaron Hicks at DH while Anthony Santander plays RF. Why not play Hicks in RF and have Santander DH, which would basically have three center fielders - Hays, Mullins and Hicks - roaming the outfield? I do realize Tony has a very strong arm.
Hicks has been bothered by a sore left Achilles tendon, which explains why he was DH in New York and scratched from the lineup the following night. And Hyde wants to keep using DH as a rotating spot. Makes sense to me. I doubt this is a factor, but Santander is a career .220/.290/.420 hitter as a DH. Probably means as much as Santander being 8-for-19 with three home runs as a first baseman.

If the Orioles play Texas in the postseason, my granddaughter’s husband is a big Rangers fan and the bet will be crab cakes for ribs. Who has the best crab cakes in Baltimore?
Fun bet. The best crab cakes are in Ocean Pines, but my mom doesn’t deliver (shut up). I’m told by multiple friends that Koco’s Pub is No. 1, but there are lots of quality options, including G&M, Jimmy’s Famous Seaford, Costas Inn, Faidley’s Seafood and Pappas.

It seems that Mariners fans are livid that Kevin Brown started calling Félix Bautista “King Felix,” and now it is spreading. What are your thoughts on King Felixgate?
I think it was incredibly unprofessional for a radio “personality,” or whatever, to call out Bautista during media day. It’s his moment. He uses an interpreter. He had no idea what this guy was yelling to him. Was cringy at best. I’d drop the “King Félix” thing, but not because it’s riling up Mariners fans. It’s just unnecessary. And it was never meant to disrespect Félix Hernández, but overreactions happen. And fans can get overly protective.

Does Jackson Holliday get promoted to AAA this season?
Four levels in one season? Before his 20^th birthday? I don’t think so.

Which is the more imposing mountain, Félix Bautista or Mt. Rainier?
I wouldn’t climb either one.

Has the phrase “jump the shark” jumped the shark?
Many years ago, thought it was fun to explain the origin of it to my wife. She had no idea. An age thing. And I think this is a good place to stop.

Will you be reaching out to Dan Connolly to be your summer intern?
We can’t afford him. And this is definitely a good place to stop.