Random take Tuesday

We found out yesterday that former O’s backup catcher Robinson Chirinos and the O’s Triple-A manager Buck Britton, are joining their big league coaching staff.

Those hires no doubt will be most popular in the clubhouse. A clubhouse that Chirinos shared in 2022 with Adley Rutschman, Ryan Mountcastle, Gunnar Henderson, Cedric Mullins, Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish and several others. That 2022 season was the year the Orioles went from 52 to 83 wins. They ended the losing and set the stage for playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024.

During that 2022 season, I had several enjoyable interactions and interviews with Chirinos, a player his then cohorts called a “a great teammate.”

That summer he told me being called that was important to him.

“It is (meaningful to me). When you understand as a player it’s not about you; it’s about the team. It’s about how many people you can impact on your team. So many people we talk every single day to that end that make baseball more fun. This game is so hard every day. When you take away the focus on yourself and you’re trying to get the best out of people, it makes baseball more fun.

“That’s what it’s about, playing relaxed. When you were a kid, you played the game for fun. Every kid does that. I have two little boys and they love baseball and just play baseball because they want to win and have fun. I’ve understood that all throughout my career, and thankfully I have continued to do that here in this clubhouse.”

He will be welcomed back and seems a great addition.

Chirinos played for playoff teams in Texas and Houston, but in late August of 2022 he thought he was on another team that would make it, but those O’s fell short.

 "It’s not done yet,” he said then. “But I see what this team is turning into. I’m blessed to be part of this clubhouse and this organization. I believe we are in a great spot to compete in this division, where it’s really tough. But I see the talent we have here and what we have coming in the minors. It makes me excited for this organization. The coaches, front office and the fans, they know what is coming.”

I am elated to see Britton make the MLB staff. You could see this day coming and it’s finally here for the 38-year-old Britton. Several in that clubhouse played for him on the O’s farm and they know the kind of person and coach that was added to the staff Monday.

Before he got traded last summer, Kyle Stowers explained how Britton bridges that line between being close with his players but also their boss.

“He’s not a peer, right? And that is something he does really well. We respect him. He’s our manager. But we have very good relationships with him and can talk to him about anything at any time, but he’s our leader. It’s not a peer relationship but a good one with someone we really, really respect,” Stowers said.

Gunnar Henderson played for Britton in Double-A and Triple-A.

“It was awesome playing for Buck,” Henderson told me in June after Britton had picked up his 400^th win as a minor league skipper. “You enjoyed being around him. The ultimate like players guy and he brings out the best in every player that comes to him. He knows how to mesh with each individual player and meet their needs.

“Triple-A is challenging. You have guys going up and down. Some older guys and some young guys that are young and hungry. Definitely pretty special what he does."

Britton is a two-time winner on the O’s farm of the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award. He led the Tides to the 2023 International League championship, and they also won the Triple-A National Championship game.

“He just knows how to make you feel right at home no matter where you are or what point you are at in your career. He makes you feel good about yourself. It was really fun to play for him,” Henderson said.

AL Beast: We got another example yesterday that the American League East is a tough division filled with big spending clubs. Did we need such a reminder? Not really.

But a USA Today report quoted via MLBTradeRumors.com said the Blue Jays have interest in both O’s big free agents, Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander.

The same USA Today report stated there may be just four serious suitors for Juan Soto: The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Blue Jays. I count three from the AL East here. And O’s fans are hoping this guy can wind up outside of the division. The math says maybe not.

The Red Sox have not made the playoffs since 2021 and have three last-place finishes the past five years. They seem to be indicating to anyone that wants to know they are ready to spend big this winter.

Said one GM to USA Today: “Who has the money, and who doesn’t? Everyone is talking a big game, but no one really knows for sure. We’re about to find out."

AL East teams often do talk a big game, and several have the payrolls to back up the talk. It's that kind of a division and the Orioles can't escape that.