Because You Asked - For a Few Dollars More

NEW YORK – The mailbag boarded an Acela early Tuesday morning to Moynihan Train Hall, free from the usual inspections that come at airports. You could carry a human head and no one would notice. But if you see something, say something.

Among the mailbag’s many wonderful qualities is a water-proof exterior, which also protects it from champagne, beer and close talkers. Ideal for clubhouse celebrations.

Unfortunately, it didn’t get past Yankee Stadium security. Gotta have a credential.

This is the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original. Any thoughts of editing questions have been eliminated like the White Sox in June.

Also, my mailbag clinches and yours flinches.

Are the Orioles going to make the playoffs?
Didn’t get this one in under the wire. They clinched two nights ago.

Is the owner rich enough to double or triple the payroll without blinking an eye?
David Rubenstein is one of the richest men in the world, worth billions, so yes, he has the resources. But I always warn against making assumptions that he’s gonna toss money around like Orioles caps. We haven’t experienced an offseason under the new ownership. I don’t expect a drastic increase like the kind you suggested, but we’ll see.

Does the disco pirate (Pérez) lead the league in caught homers with his hat?
That’s his nickname? I haven’t found any official stats, but Cionel Pérez has snatched six with his cap. I’m not counting the ball that landed in it and scattered his tip money while he played guitar.

Any early intel on what and when with the OPACY renovations?
Only that the major renovations such as scoreboard, sound system and moving the press box to Pickles Pub won’t happen in 2025, though there could be some temporary improvements in sound until the real upgrades hit.

At what point this season did the O’s reach the deductible on their group medical plan?
Mike Elias’ injury update on the first day of spring training got them close.

Why does Cionel Pérez use his hat to catch balls? Wouldn't it be easier/safer to catch with his glove?
He isn’t always wearing his glove. And what’s the trick in that?

If Anthony Santander signs with Seattle, do the O's pivot and go after Juan Soto for right field? He would look good hitting in the middle of this lineup.
If they don’t outbid teams for Santander, they ain’t doing it for Soto.

Any rumblings the O's are willing to go for a big deal and re-sign Corbin Burnes?
There are no rumblings about breaking the bank for Burnes. There are rumblings, however, each time I go through the food line at Yankee Stadium. But you didn't ask about that.

The season is over in Norfolk, so what happens when someone gets optioned?
It’s a paper move. Just like Rocky being a paper champion in III. They can go down to Sarasota and work out. It’s happening as we speak.

Do you think there's any possibility we see Grayson Rodriguez in the bullpen for the playoffs? Or do you think it's more likely he's shut down for the rest of the season?
I’m cheating here because I reported yesterday that Rodriguez is shut down. He won’t pitch again until 2025. The Orioles never stated that they’d use Rodriguez in relief. Maybe due to concerns about abruptly changing his role and routine after his injury. Maybe due to having a hunch that he’d be shut down.

How can this team make the playoffs when they lose so much?
I know you’re joking, but I’ll bite. A terrific first half, parity and the return of key injured players.

Are the O's going to take advantage of the arms and speed of both Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo and give them some time at COF in the AFL and ST? That would give them three positions each besides DH.
Why are you speaking in code? Sorry. Y R U speaking in code? It took me 15 minutes to figure out COF. I’m fairly certain that Mayo will work out in the corner outfielder in camp. I don’t know about Basallo, but my guess is he’ll keep working behind the plate and at first base.

Which is more a priority for the Orioles in the off-season: Re-signing Burnes or Santander? And don't say "your mom,"
I'd never! Santander is more realistic. How’s that? I don’t know if you can make Burnes a priority when he’s expected to price himself out of Baltimore.

Will the Orioles sign John Means again? It seems like every two years we give him a contract to play 10 games.
I’m just gonna focus on the first part. And I don’t know. They could make an offer that also covers the 2026 season, hoping to have him for the stretch run next summer. We’ve seen it done before. And Zach Eflin will be a free agent.

If the Orioles continue deep into the postseason, will the splash zone continue to spray fans with water? Hot cocoa?
Water. Definitely water. Though a few might beg for the cocoa.

Are all the coaches back next year?
We’ve seen tweaks to the staff many times over the years. They’re hard to predict. I didn’t expect Chris Holt and Darren Holmes to be replaced, but it happened. (Holt remains in his role as director of pitching.) I’ll set the over/under at one, but I honestly have no idea.

When is Grayson due back?
Opening Day 2025. You can forget the Wild Card roster or any other roster in 2024. He’s shut down. Still.

Can one purchase a James McCann mask in the Orioles’ merch store?
If there isn’t a rack filled with those masks, the Orioles are missing out on a great promotion.  

Would the team see winning one playoff series (and no more) as a disappointment?
Yes. They want the World Series. That’s why Corbin Burnes is here. That’s why Zach Eflin arrived at the deadline. And if that one series is the Wild Card, they can’t possibility feel good about it.

Have you ever seen the rain comin' down on a sunny day?
You wanna know? Yes, I have. And it makes a rainbow. Next question.

What do you think the O’s will do for the Wild Card, select 12 or 13 pitchers on the roster?
I’m expecting the usual 13/13 split with pitchers and position players, though I understand the argument that you might need only 12 pitchers in a best-two-of-three.

Félix Bautista will be ready on Opening Day next year, right?
That’s the plan and he’s right on track for it. The Orioles didn’t give in to the temptation to activate him for the postseason. They stuck to their timeline.

Will they please stop this nonsense that Jackson Holliday is mature beyond his years. Please stop gaslighting us. How do you measure maturity? Let me guess, I know it when I see it.
How he conducts himself on a daily basis, which I’m able to observe. How he handles the intense media scrutiny. His composure. How he deals with adversity. It’s not about his batting average. You aren’t qualified to offer a snarky opinion from your mother’s futon.

What will become of Grayson Rodriguez's rehab since a minor league assignment is out of the question?
G-Rod is a popular topic. Really wish I ran this mailbag a day or two earlier. Then again, I wouldn’t have known that the Orioles were shutting him down and focusing on 2025. I was ready to organize simulated games in my backyard. Anything hit over the swing set is a home run.

Did you attend the Bruce Springsteen or Pearl Jam concerts? If so, who did you bring? And don't say your mom!
I’d never. I wasn’t in town for Bruce, but I have no excuses. I can’t remember the last concert I attended.

Do you expect the Orioles to offer James McCann a 2025 contract?
I think it’s possible. If he walks, they’d spend part of the offseason looking for someone just like him. Samuel Basallo won’t be ready. They have Maverick Handley and Blake Hunt in Triple-A.

Which will hurt more, the Yankees clinching the division against us in New York or the Wild Card loss in Toronto?
The latter and it isn’t close. I have friends who haven’t unclenched.

What’s the latest with Nick Anderson? Didn’t you report that he’s hurt?
Anderson strained his Achilles but no structural damage. Did it during warmups with Norfolk. Threw off a mound Tuesday for the first time. He’s been running. Seems like he’s ahead of schedule.  

Can you arrange a meet and greet between JoeDirt and Jackson Holliday?
Can Matt also be there? Trust me, the ripping of young Jackson would cease immediately. And this is probably a good place to stop.

Is there still time for Rodriguez to contribute?
This is definitely a good place to stop.