"Because You Asked - Money Never Sleeps"

The Orioles didn't factor into the Baseball Writers' Association of America Rookie of the Year voting, the results revealed last night on MLB Network. The White Sox's Jose Abreu was a unanimous choice in the American League, and none of the Orioles received a vote.

The tide turns tonight. Buck Showalter is expected to be named AL Manager of the Year for the third time after being runner-up to the Angels' Mike Scioscia in the Sporting News voting.

Showalter, Scioscia and the Royals' Ned Yost are finalists for the BBWAA award. Ballots were turned in prior to the postseason.

Showalter would join Tony La Russa as the only managers to win the award with three different teams. He finished behind the Athletics' Bob Melvin in 2012.

The hot stove season brings a whole new batch of questions and repeat questions and duplicate repeat questions.

I sift through my electronic mailbag and think, "Didn't I already answer this one?" And then I produce another sequel to the "Because You Asked" series, expanding my lead over "Police Academy."

Let's get started.

Do you think Buck will be named Manager of the Year?

Not in the National League. Not a chance. But yes, I expect him to win the BBWAA award in the AL. I was wrong about the Sporting News balloting, but I'm supremely confident in his chances tonight. And it's going to make him so uncomfortable. He'll appreciate the honor, but watch how quickly he deflects the credit to his players for allowing him to manage them. He also cherishes his coaching staff and fully appreciates the support of ownership. Showalter downplays his impact on the organization, but we know better. His hiring will rank among the best moves made in franchise history, and anyone suggesting that he should be fired after the Orioles were swept in the Championship Series is in dire need of a reality check and some counseling.

Should fans be concerned that the Orioles haven't re-signed Nick Markakis?

Not really. Though they seemed to be nearing an agreement on a four-year deal, Markakis is a first-time free agent and figured to at least check the market. It's not surprising that agent Jamie Murphy flew to Phoenix yesterday and had appointments to meet with executives from other teams. It's all part of the free agent dance. Murphy might be able to go back to the Orioles with offers, or at least a better sense of the interest in his client. The Orioles can react accordingly. They're still the favorites. They're just in deliberate mode. Same with the delayed announcements on the club not picking up the 2015 options on Markakis and catcher Nick Hundley. And they didn't confirm via Twitter that Nelson Cruz turned down his qualifying offer until two hours after the deadline. The Orioles' hot stove has 16 backburners.

Who plays right field if Markakis is gone?

We're getting ahead of ourselves. The Orioles could sign or trade for another outfielder. Steve Pearce could handle those duties. Cruz could be the primary right fielder if the Orioles re-sign him. Pearce could play first and Chris Davis could move to right. It won't be "Disco" Dan Ford. Pass it along.

Is there any chance at the Orioles re-sign Cruz?

There's always a chance, and as I wrote yesterday, six of the 10 MLB Network Radio personalities polled predicted that the Orioles will re-sign him. My assumption is they must believe his asking price will come down. But let's keep in mind that the Orioles got 40 home runs out of him in the regular season and two more in the Division Series and probably will receive a higher draft pick than the one they surrendered to sign him if he goes to another organization in 2015. They gave up their second-round pick to sign Cruz, having lost their first-rounder in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal. No regrets.

Let Markakis walk and put Dariel Alvarez in right field.

This is "Because You Asked," not "Because You Said So."

Why not let Markakis walk and put Dariel Alvarez in right field?

Too soon. Alvarez should be a future big leaguer. He rates among the Orioles' top position prospects after batting a combined .306/.330/.472 with 37 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs and 87 RBIs in 135 games at Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. His arm may be the best in the entire organization. But I can't see the Orioles handing him the right field job in spring training. Do I see him reaching the majors in 2015? Absolutely. If he's good enough, the Orioles will find a spot for him. There's lots to like about the guy. He just needs to work on his command of the strike zone. He's known to chase.

Any chance that the Orioles re-sign Andrew Miller and make him the closer?

That would be an incredible long shot. First of all, they don't seem comfortable with getting into a bidding war for Miller, projected to be in line for a four-year deal in the $40 million range. And they are more than satisfied with Zach Britton as their closer. I haven't heard any talk of putting Britton back in the rotation - they already have six starters for five spots - or making him a set-up man. They'd like to keep Miller in the same role he held after being acquired from the Red Sox, but the wallet probably won't open that wide. Too bad. He'd be my No. 1 priority.

Any updates on Steve Johnson?

The Orioles want to sign him to a minor league deal. The Phillies maintain interest, as I anticipated. They've tried to acquire him in the past and are taking another swing at it. I'd say those are the top two teams vying for him, but there could be others lurking. Johnson actually would have a better chance of making the Phillies roster if able to prove in spring training that he's fully recovered from surgery to shave down a bone spur behind his right shoulder - he should be full-go when pitchers and catchers report - but he's a Baltimore native and he knows the Orioles eventually will call on him. It would have happened multiple times this year if he had been healthy and productive.

Any updates on Matt Wieters and Manny Machado?

Nothing beyond how they're rehabbing from their respective surgeries and are expected to be ready for spring training. Machado is in Sarasota. It's all good so far.

Will the Orioles trade a starter?

Executive vice president Dan Duquette indicated a few days ago that the club has enough rotation depth to perhaps make a trade. Bud Norris and Miguel Gonzalez would be the likeliest candidates. Maybe Wei-Yin Chen, but only because he's a free agent after 2015. Chris Tillman and Kevin Gausman aren't going anywhere and Ubaldo Jimenez's contract seems impossible to move without a bulldozer and a partner looking to unload one.

Unload a bulldozer?

A contract. Unload a contract.

Why didn't Adam Jones go to Japan with the MLB All-Stars?

He had a previous commitment. He never officially accepted the invite, as far as I know. Asked about it while the Orioles were at Wrigley Field, Jones basically said he'd like to go and would consider it, but he couldn't say for sure that he'd make the trip. Besides, the guy is coming off an extremely busy weekend. He attended the Rawlings Gold Glove ceremony Friday night in New York, he was in Baltimore Saturday afternoon for the dedication ceremony at the Westport Boys and Girls Club and in Federal Hill later that night for a burger building contest at Abbey Burger, and he continued his charity work Sunday with his #StayHungry tailgate party prior to the Titans-Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium. Jones doesn't exactly put the "off" in offseason.

Is Chris Davis allowed to attend FanFest while serving his suspension?

Yes. Troy Patton attended FanFest last winter while suspended for the same violation.

Is Chris Davis allowed to play in spring training games?

Yes. Troy Patton pitched in spring training games last year while suspended for the same violation. When confronted with questions about Davis in the future, let's just think "What would Patton do?" Or WWPD for short.

Is Chris Davis allowed to pump his own gas?

Yes. He's also allowed to use his television remote and the spin cycle on his washing machine.

Did the Orioles have any interest in signing Patton before his 80-game suspension?

None. If it were discussed, the entire conversation probably lasted about three seconds. If it lasted more than four hours, it would have aired as a commercial during the postseason.