Hyde's late-season tasks include exit meetings with players

The final days spent on the road for Orioles manager Brandon Hyde will include a series of closed-door meetings with players as part of the annual exit interviews.

They happen everywhere, but it isn't something that Hyde has done as a major league manager.

The closest comparisons are the talks in spring training after players are optioned or reassigned, and when someone is sent down during the season.

He's had lots of practice with that one.

"I'm really interested in what they have to say," Hyde said. "I've never been in one of these meetings. I've only been on the other side of the desk. So I want to listen to them and hear how they evaluate their year and how things went for them.

"We'll get feedback and talk about the season. I've built a relationship with these guys where we can be really honest and going to have honest feedback about things we see, things we feel like they need to improve on, whatever it may be. But it's more of a conversation and what we feel like they need to work on and get better for next season."

There's the occasional pat on the back for guys who need encouragement and respond more favorably to a gentler approach. But Hyde isn't afraid to show some tough love.

The gloves can come off.

"Yeah, that's why you want to build relationships, so you can have those tough conversations. The positives and things from me that they need to work on," Hyde said.

"Whether that's physical or skill work or whatever it may be, I think everybody's got weakness that they can improve and strengths that can get better, also. So it's more of just a conversation. I want to hear from them first. I don't just pile on and say, 'These are the things you have to do.' I like to have them talk openly, and I feel like I have that relationship with these guys where we can have a really open conversation."

The interactions go more smoothly with players who are able to look in a mirror without any distortion.

"It's interesting, it's interesting," Hyde said. "I was involved a little bit in Chicago with the spring training meetings, but never the end of the season. But I obviously did all of them in spring training this year with us, and it's interesting how some guys can self-evaluate and some guys flat-out can't. It's a cool experience."

The meeting with Chris Davis, who homered yesterday in a 2-1 win over the Mariners but has turned in another poor season, will be like an extension of past conversations.

"I know I've talked to Chris more than anybody on the team, so I don't think ours is going to be very lengthy," Hyde said.

"We talk almost daily and talk about everything. We've been talking all year long, so just going to be a little bit more of the same, and Mike (Elias) will be involved. We'll have a little bit of a review and talk about the offseason a little bit. And spring training next year."