Questions regarding Machado, Brach, Wynns and Mountcastle

Let's take a look at four more questions confronting the Orioles as the offseason really kicks in following the World Series.

Last-place teams have lots of them. Questions, not World Series. I've been picking and choosing which ones to highlight.

The level of importance varies, but each topic is worth discussing.

Should the Orioles push to negotiate a new deal for Manny Machado beyond spring training?

There's an ice-breaker offer, the preliminary kind that the Orioles presented Chris Tillman a few years ago that didn't advance talks, and there's serious negotiations that lead to an agreement or free agency.

The idea that Machado won't want to negotiate during the season because it might become a distraction is countered by the fact that he has an agent for this exact reason. Machado doesn't need to be on conference calls or sit at the table. Dan Lozano of MVP Sports Group is paid to do it. And while the Orioles may prefer to close discussions after the team breaks camp, there have been exceptions in the past and Machado is worthy of one.

Skip the deadlines and keep an open dialogue if his side is willing to do it.

Save the hardball for the actual games.

The Orioles need to get a true read on whether there's any hope of extending Machado, which would require by far the largest deal in franchise history and some imagination with deferred money and such. They won't trade him this winter, preferring to make another run at the playoffs before key players reach free agency, but their stance could change at the non-waiver deadline if a team is willing to overpay for a potential half-season rental.

They'll need to have more clarity on negotiations in order to make such a decision, which requires an aggressive approach. Know exactly how far ownership is willing to go and exactly what Machado is willing to accept in order to stay. And if the gap is wider than the Amazon River, change the stance.

Should Brad Brach be on the trade block?

It's more than a catchy little rhyme. It's a legitimate consideration.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette nixed the Zach Britton speculation by saying he expects the closer to be on the team in 2018. Brach also can become a free agent following the season and there are teams that could view him as a ninth-inning specialist. If nothing else, he's a valuable setup guy with closer tendencies. There's a market for him despite his ERA rising from 2.05 to 3.18.

Brach won't bring back as much as Britton, but the Orioles could fill a need by moving him. However, Duquette is hesitant to deal from his bullpen and it's hard to argue with the reasoning.

The game has changed. Managers remove starters earlier, especially in the postseason, and ride their relievers. Survival is predicated on sufficient depth in the bullpen, on a conga line of reliable arms that can reach for and hold onto the baton.

The Orioles don't view Britton, Brach, Darren O'Day and Mychal Givens as luxuries. They're necessities on a team lacking in starters who routinely pitch deep into games.

Maybe a team comes along with an offer that Duquette can't refuse. There's got to be at least a sliver of temptation with the Orioles searching for starters and a left-handed bat. But it would have to be a real doozy.

Should the Orioles protect minor league catcher Austin Wynns before the Rule 5 draft?

This one doesn't sit atop the list of priorities in the warehouse, but it should be discussed because Wynn is viewed right now as ready to assume a backup role in the majors and the Orioles' catching depth would take a big hit if he's claimed.

Why would a team claim Wynns, who spent the entire 2017 season at Double-A Bowie? And why should anyone assume that, if claimed, he would stay with the team rather than go through waivers and be offered back to the Orioles? Because, as I stated, he's regarded as having the defensive skills to assume a backup role and it may be easier for a team to carry someone like him.

Wynns is the best defensive catcher in the system and he's no kid by baseball standards, turning 27 next month. He made a nice impression in spring training as a late addition to the camp roster and batted .281/.377/.419 in 105 games with Bowie.

Though I don't necessarily expect the Orioles to sign knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, I talked to one person in the organization who said Wynns could handle the pitch. The compliments come from many directions.

Francisco Peña is a minor league free agent and Wynns could begin next season at Triple-A Norfolk if Caleb Joseph and Chance Sisco break camp with the Orioles. And he could be next man up if there's an opening. So, yes, it's worth discussing whether he needs to be placed on the 40-man roster.

"I'll tell you the guy who's really come is Austin Wynns," manager Buck Showalter said in June. "Donnie (Werner) was real upbeat about him. You see the things he's doing offensively this year, if you look back and really look at it closely, this isn't that big of a jump for him offensively. You'll see him catching in the major leagues at some point for somebody, maybe us."

Where should Ryan Mountcastle play?

It could be Baltimore over the summer, but I'm talking about a position.

Mountcastle can flat-out hit and he'd already be included in every top 100 prospect list except scouts don't know where he fits in the field. He was drafted as a shortstop and moved to third base this summer after being promoted to Double-A Bowie.

The defensive concerns haven't faded. Neither has the excitement over his offensive skills.

The Orioles sent Mountcastle to the Arizona Fall League, where he's been playing third base. His future could be at first, but Chris Davis has five more years on his contract. There's been talk of putting Mountcastle in left field, occupied now by Trey Mancini in another position switch.

One person in the organization reminded me this week that the American League has a designated hitter. So do the Orioles and his name is Mark Trumbo.

Mountcastle figures to begin next season playing third base for Bowie. The Orioles need to know for sure whether or not he can replace Machado if the former Platinum Glove winner leaves via free agency. If the answer is "no," it's smart to get him to another position.

Keep searching while also remembering that the AL has a DH.

Mountcastle is only 20. He batted .314/.343/.542 with 35 doubles, 15 home runs and 47 RBIs in 88 games with Single-A Frederick and added 13 doubles and three home runs in 39 games with Bowie. He has four doubles, three home runs and 13 RBIs with the Salt River Rafters.

He can flat-out hit. Which glove should he use?