Because You Asked - Ever Vigilant

I’m using flashcards to learn the names of the new players. My family is quizzing me.

Their first question: How did we get stuck doing this?

For me it's like, is that Austin Slater? No? Oh, hey Blake Hunt. Is that Seranthony Domínguez? Nope? I was gonna say Gregory Soto. I swear.

One thing that never changes is my mailbag except for the weight of its contents.

You’ll have a long wait if you think I’m going to worry about clarity, length and style.

Here is the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original. Also, my mailbag is untouchable at the deadline and yours can be acquired for the cost of a 7-Eleven hotdog.

How long does Coby Mayo stay up if he hits like Jackson Holliday did during his first stint? I just like the word "stint."
Who doesn’t? Mayo probably won’t stick around if he goes 2-for-34, but let’s not put that out in the universe. He had some impressive at-bats in his debut, working the count full three times and walking twice. He’ll need to hit, of course, because the Orioles can’t afford to carry an overmatched rookie in a pennant race. His bat got him here. It’s expected to keep him here. Way too early to worry.

Is Heston Kjerstad in witness protection?
I get it. He hasn’t played since the Orioles optioned him. Manager Brandon Hyde told the Toronto media yesterday that Kjerstad had “an appointment” yesterday and should be in tonight’s Tides lineup.

Does Jackson Holliday look as young in person as he does on TV? Does he call you Mr. Roch?
He has a youthful face. TV doesn’t add 10 years. I don’t think he’s ever addressed me by a name. I introduced myself last spring and he said, “Yeah, I know” and shook my hand. Otherwise, it’s just a conversation without the formalities.

Should the Orioles put a Golden Tee game in their clubhouse? I’m sure Holliday votes “yes.”
The wheels are in motion on the golf arcade game. @GoldenTee posted this on the former Twitter: “Hey @J_Holliday7, sounds like the @Orioles Clubhouse needs a #GoldenTee (fire emoji). We got one for ya. Hit us with the deets and we’ll get it shipped (smiley face with dark glasses emoji)” First of all, I’ll ignore the uppercase C in “Clubhouse,” as well as “deets” (cringing emoji). Hopefully, the Orioles are on board with it. A return to sender would be awkward. It’s gonna be another way for players to be unavailable to the media during our 50-minute access. But yeah, I’d tow it to the ballpark myself if I’m manager Brandon Hyde.

Do you think that Heston Kjerstad may still have some after-effects from the hit-by-pitch?
That’s hard to prove, but he went 2-for-18 after returning from Clay Holmes’ 97 mph sinker to the head. Could be unrelated, though. Baseball is hard.

Where did Cole Irvin go?
I’ll cut you some slack because this is an old question. Irvin cleared waivers, which is surprising to me, and he accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. He had the choice due to his major league service time.

Has there been any consideration to a sacrifice, seance or potentially a diet of only Lucky Charms to get something good going around the team and get out of this funk?
I am not aware of any seances and I haven’t seen boxes of Lucky Charms unless they’re hidden in the kitchen. They’re Orioles Magically delicious. It's baseball, so maybe the team could sacrifice Bundt cake.

I see what you …
Next question, please.

Do the Yankees make the playoffs? Seems like their pitching has taken a nosedive.
I’d expect them to at least be a Wild Card, and they should hang with the Orioles for the division lead. They’ve got Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. I’ve heard good things. New York’s 170 home runs were four behind the Orioles for the major league lead before last night. They ranked first in runs with 583. Their 3.70 ERA was fourth and the opponents’ .230 average was second-lowest. I think they’re pretty good.

What color is your lawn?
Mostly green, but that ain’t mostly grass.

What will Anthony Santander demand on the open market and it is even remotely feasible that the O’s will be in the mix?
Austin Hays and Kyle Stowers are gone and there are no assurances that Cedric Mullins returns for his final season before free agency. I think the Orioles will consider Santander, who turns 30 in October, but the market could dictate their level of interest. I took an informal poll in the press box – I didn’t wear a tux – and here were four responses: three years and $40 million, three years and $66 million, four years and $80 million, and 5 years and $115 million. I’m going in between the lowest and highest. I think four/$80 million is doable. I did a Toronto radio show yesterday and the co-host thought Santander would get a fifth year. We agreed that the Yankees, with that short right field porch, should make a run at him. And Orioles fans would sprint to the nearest bathroom to vomit.

Do the Orioles see Heston Kjerstad as a starting everyday outfielder or a platoon guy?
The hope is that Kjerstad can be plugged into the lineup every day. That was the vision with his selection at No. 2 overall in the 2020 draft. There comes a point when he needs to stay and play. He hit .291/.391/.491 in his third major league stint despite the 2-for-18 slump, but the deadline moves bumped him again. The Orioles figure to give him every opportunity next spring to stick as an outfielder and designated hitter.

Since the core group of posters here are like family, how's yours doing?
 So nice of you to ask. Everyone is good, thanks. Except my mother wanted to make Emily a cheesecake for her birthday and she bought a new pan and it leaked in the oven and, well, she may never get over the trauma. Bless her heart. Meanwhile, we’re happy with the homemade chocolate chip cookies. Pretty sure there are crab cakes in our future during this week’s visit. My sister just celebrated another birthday. She’s older than me and doesn’t look it. Hung out with my granddaughter again yesterday, bringing her to my house and making sure to have her favorite treats – chocolate cake pops from Starbucks and a SpongeBob ice cream bar. Papa is her favorite. Anyway, thanks again for asking.

What should have happened on that botched rundown in Cleveland?
I asked Brandon Hyde and he said it’s a tough play and explained that when Ryan Mountcastle cut off the throw, he did the right thing getting the ball to Jackson Holliday. Holliday needed to check the runner at third. Mountcastle expected to have someone behind him, but reliever Jacob Webb was backing up home plate. “It’s just something to learn from,” Hyde said. “Mounty’s got to be a little bit more aggressive getting back into the throwing lane.”

Didn't Grayson Rodriguez already have a lat injury?
Yes, a right lat muscle strain in June 2022 that delayed his major league debut. But you're allowed to have more than one. I have a question of my own. Is it too late to trade for Tarik Skubel, Garrett Crochet or Blake Snell?

Which of the O's jersey's is your favorite? Home whites, away grays, black, orange, City Connects?
This might make me incredibly boring, or maybe it’s just everything else that does, but I like the home whites. I’d love to see the all-orange uniforms come back for one game – jersey, pants, panel on cap.

Is there any truth to rumors that the clubhouse vibes are off?
There’s nothing wrong with the clubhouse. No dissension, no missing vibes. That rumor started from a line in a local column that was speculation and it gained traction.

Is your mailbag the biggest in the majors.
Yes, and it’s subjected to random testing.

The Mrs. wants to know if the clubhouse demeanor has changed with all the roster changes.
That isn’t in question form but I’ll accept it. And let this be a grammar lesson. Don’t put a ? at the end of the sentence or you’re asking whether she wants to know. Well done. Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with the clubhouse. The only threats to the demeanor are the injuries, especially to Jordan Westburg. His broken hand was a gut punch. But most of the trades removed minor leaguers from the organization – and some cash to the Reds, of course.

Does the team practice defensive drills? Lately they seem rusty or just incompetent with fielding fundamentals.
They work on fielding as much as any team. Players did drills every day while we were in Cleveland, as a recent example. They took ground balls in front of the dugout and on the diamond. They worked on their throws and the pivots at second base. A lack of preparation isn’t to blame.

What are the seven ways a batter can reach first base?
A hit, walk, error, hit-by-pitch, catcher’s interference, fielder’s choice and dropped third strike. They used to be able to convince Ángel Hernández that he got the count wrong, but he’s retired.

What will the O’s do for a starting rotation next year?
Grayson Rodriguez, Zach Eflin, Trevor Rogers and Dean Kremer could comprise four-fifths. Cade Povich and Chayce McDermott are possibilities after making their major league debuts this season. They could bring in a free agent. I don’t know how far they’d go for Corbin Burnes. A bidding war hasn't been their style, but we've never experienced an offseason with David Rubenstein.

Do you expect Chayce McDermott to get another opportunity with the Orioles this season?
His chances dimmed with yesterday’s news that he’s on the Norfolk injured list with a right scapula stress reaction. My reaction is, that sounds pretty bad. The club doesn’t know if it’s season ending, but he won't be available anytime soon.

Do you feel analytics, which has led to so many platooning situations and lineup variations, has gotten out of control?
This is my opinion, of course. There’s a place for them. They should be incorporated. But don’t use a heavy hand. If a starter is cruising in the playoffs, for instance, leave him alone. Let’s start there. I still enjoy watching and reporting on a game without flipping screens every 20 seconds to check Statcast data. There’s a reason why I didn’t major in math. Also, catch probability gives me gas.

Is it likely any of the 2024 draft picks won't sign?
Another old one. I can’t keep up. The Orioles signed all 21 picks.

What does the backup shortstop depth chart look like right now? It sounded like Hyde knows Urias might be rusty, and Jackson seems to have been slotted just for 2B for some time. I'm just talking about giving Gunnar the occasional rest, nothing worse.
Holliday didn't forget how to play shortstop. He made 11 starts and 15 appearances overall with Norfolk this year. He's made 121 starts in the minors. Urías hasn't played shortstop since 2022, but he's taken ground balls and has made 44 starts and 61 appearances in the majors. Ryan Mountcastle was drafted as a shortstop and ... No, that isn't happening.

What's your favorite track and field event?
Race walking. I’m kidding. That’s my move when the Chipotle kicks in. I enjoy any of the races that require actual running – 100 meter, 200 meter, hurdles. Relays are fun, too. If there’s ever a javelin catch, I’m tuning in.

Why did they call up Terrin Vavra and Liván Soto for a single day? What was the point of those moves?
This is a popular question, and not just from fans. One person in the organization said the Orioles wanted Coby Mayo to make one more start at third base before selecting his contract, which is why Soto was in Cleveland. It's believed that the Orioles summoned Vavra to Baltimore and had him ready in case a spot opened at the deadline. They didn’t want to do that with Jackson Holliday. His arrival was set in motion later that day when he was pulled from Norfolk’s lineup.

Is Trevor Rogers related to Aaron?
Aaron Rodgers? Check your Aaron spelling. (You also see what I did there.) Trevor also isn’t related to Mister Rogers, Ginger, Kenny, Roy, Wayne or Will. And this is probably a good place to stop.

Is Austin Slater any relation to Kelly Slater?
Oh, we're doing this. I think he’s a distant cousin of A.C. Slater from “Saved By the Bell.” And this is definitely a good place to stop.