Skipper Brandon Hyde on a few topics on WBAL Radio show

At his offseason home in Florida last Thursday night, while it was very cold in Baltimore, O’s manager Brandon Hyde joined us from a much warmer climate. When Brett Hollander and I hosted the season debut edition of the "Hot Stove" radio show on WBAL Radio, Hyde was a guest.

Not to rub it in, but when asked how the weather was in his neighborhood at that time, he told us he was in shorts and getting ready to cookout.

Yeah, that could work.

On matters relating to his baseball team, Hyde provided a few other thoughts.

Please note this interview took place before the O's weekend agreements with Tyler O'Neill and Gary Sanchez. And he cannot publicly talk about that pair anyway until the O's make those signings official. That seems likely to come this week during the Winters Meetings in Dallas. 

Hyde on the O’s current window to win: “We’re definitely proud of that. Lot of teams, lot of people kind of go through situations like we had. We are proud of that and are proud how we came out the other side (from 100-plus losses). You know, and did it quicker than most teams.

“That’s a credit to a lot of people, but first it goes to Mike (Elias) and how he drafted. And the ability to take, not just the first-round picks, but the Jordan Westburg's and those type of guys, to really rebuild this team.

“You can’t win without pitching and to be able to put the bullpen together – that really started in ’22. Kind of with a lot no name guys, including Félix Bautista, which is crazy to say now. You win with pitching and defense, but he’s drafted extremely well from the offensive side.

“It’s great to be in the (contending/playoffs) conversation. We have been the last couple of years of contending, of people picking us. You know we want those expectations and that does drive us to go further than we have the last couple of years. That’s why it’s been disappointing, because we do feel like there is a really good window here of a lot of good, good young players and some of these guys have not gotten to the big leagues yet. Or just got a little taste.

“But we should be playing some exciting baseball here for the next few years at least.

Hyde on the return of Bautista in 2025: “It meant everything for the year and a half prior. You saw the impact he can make when he was healthy the first two-thirds of 2023. The dominance. When he is right, he’s the most dominant reliever in the game. And that’s just hands down.

“He’s the best extra-innings pitcher of all time. If you need a strikeout against right or left, when he’s right, he’s the best pitcher in the game.

“You know, he’s coming off of missing a year. I kind of want to lower the expectations a little bit. Because he is coming off Tommy John, but everything is pointing in the right direction for him. He’s throwing the ball great. He is now having a regular offseason. We’re going to see him again in January and I can’t wait to give him the ball again.”

Hyde, are any changes, big or small, coming with the offense?: “I think we’re bringing most of these guys back. And for me, we’re not bringing back 35-year-olds, we’re bringing back guys in their early-to-mid 20s and we’re just going to be better.

“Colton Cowser, Rookie of the Year, in my opinion, early-to-mid 20s. He’s going to be better next year, just like Gunnar (Henderson) was this past year. Better than the year before. All these experiences – and guys aren’t even in their prime yet – are going to help out down the road.

“You couple that with – love to see Ryan Mountcastle have a full year healthy. Ryan O’Hearn was a huge part of our offense and just a total pro in every single way. Ced’s (Mullins) in his prime. We saw what Ced can do in the second half and we’re looking for big things out of him. Then you talk about Jordan Westburg and Rutch (Adley Rutschman) and Gunnar. I think Jackson (Holliday) is going to be the ripe old age of 21. You know we’re getter more experienced with these guys, even though they’re still young. It’s going to be exciting.”

The big domino fell: Yeah, it was a big one. Huge. Massive.

The New York Mets last night came to terms with outfielder Juan Soto on a 15-year deal for $765 million. The Yankees final offer, per reports, was 16 years and $760 million.

So $51 million per year from one New York team and $47.5 from the other.

Just about the only man alive (Steve Cohen) who could out-bid the Yankees, just did.

The deal reportedly contains no deferred money, a $75 million dollar signing bonus and an opt out after five years.

Now perhaps the Yankees pivot to a "consolation prize" of Max Fried or Corbin Burnes. This also could get the markets going for outfielders Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernandez.

The Winter Meetings are beginning with a bang as Soto gets the biggest contract in pro sports history.