Because You Asked - Another 48 Hours

The mailbag is stuffed again like a Thanksgiving turkey.

I’ll do my best to provide answers but at times will just have to wing it.

This is the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original. Editing rules are trashed like a two-week-old green bean casserole.

Also, my mailbag carves the turkey at the head of the table and your mailbag heats up a Hungry Man dinner.

Which unprotected players are most vulnerable in the Rule 5 draft?
Before I begin, let’s remember that losing a player in the Rule 5 draft doesn’t mean he won’t come back to the organization. It’s hard to carry one throughout a season. OK, pitcher Alex Pham is the No. 25 prospect in the system per MLB Pipeline and he had 138 strikeouts in 119 innings at Double-A Bowie. Reliever Keagan Gillies had a 4.94 ERA with the Baysox, but he fanned 54 in 47 1/3 innings and surrendered only four home runs. He’s averaging 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors. He’s an interesting guy, but again, challenging to stash in a major league ‘pen.

Any predictions on backup catcher?
Not yet. It's too early. But the Orioles have interest in Elias Díaz, the All-Star Game's Most Valuable Player in 2023 with the Rockies. He hit a two-run homer off Félix Bautista in the eighth inning. That would make for an interesting reunion. But I'm sure that the club is casting a wide net for a veteran.

I see Gregory Soto leapfrogging over Cionel Pérez in high-leverage situations. Agree or disagree?
Disagree. Only because I don’t think there’s an actual line. Matchups and availability rule. Pérez hasn’t surrendered a home run since May 31, 2023. His last season with home runs in multiple games was in 2022. But his ERA in three seasons with the Orioles has climbed from 1.40 in 66 games to 3.54 in 65 to 4.53 in 62. He needs a bounce back. We’ll see lots of Soto and Pérez in high-leverage situations.

If the Orioles actually sign Corbin Burnes and Juan Soto, will the pundits make them the odds-on favorites to win the AL East, the AL pennant and the World Series?
Burnes and Soto? You have a better chance with Burns and Allen. But yes, they’d likely be favored to at least win the pennant.

Our new director of pitching has a lot of experience with piggy-back starters. Any chance we start limiting starters to four innings and use two per game?
I don’t think Forrest Herrmann will have that kind of influence. The Orioles would love to get more length from their starters to ease the load on the bullpen.

Who will be the starting second baseman for the Orioles in 2025?
I’d tab Jackson Holliday as the favorite, but the Orioles can use Jordan Westburg, Ramón Urías and Jorge Mateo if he’s on the club and healthy. They don’t appear to be in the market for more infielders.

Were you surprised that Corbin Burnes did not finish higher in AL Cy Young voting?
Yes. I thought he’d finish fourth instead of fifth behind the Royals’ Cole Ragans. Burnes trailed him by one point. I guess August was a factor for Burnes.

Do you celebrate Christmas? If so, when do you start decorating for it?
Yes. My wife will start talking about putting up the tree after Thanksgiving. I’ll pretend not to hear her until December. We don’t do a lot of decorating.

Any word on Noah Denoyer? Protected a couple years ago, hurt, re-signed. Should be throwing somewhere.
The last I heard, Denoyer was throwing in Sarasota. He underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2023 and wasn’t expected to pitch this year. The goal was 2025.

I got nothing for you, Roch. Do you think any moves will be made next week?
So you did have something for me. I’m always braced for moves. It could happen, even if it’s just a minor league transaction.

Think Austin Hays could come back to Baltimore? As an Oriole?
They need a right-handed hitting outfielder, so don't dismiss it. Hays' 2024 season was a waste. He wasn't healthy going back to spring training, and he had a serious kidney infection that finally got diagnosed in September while the Phillies were in Toronto. His legs weren't working. Along with his with other symptoms, it was good news that he only had the infection. He's recovered now and an intriguing figure on the free-agent market, a year removed from the All-Star Game and being a Gold Glove finalist. Power, speed, glove. He'll garner plenty of interest.

Canned or homemade cranberry sauce?
I’m Team Canned. Love it. My sister makes her own and I hear it’s delicious. I’ll take everyone’s word for it.

What would be a more shocking outcome: The Orioles roll it back with essentially the same team, maybe signing a Corbin Burnes replacement but not replacing Anthony Santander, or the Orioles making major changes to the roster?
Would you consider a new starter and right fielder as major changes? A new reliever? That’s possible. Not sure where you’re drawing the line between essentially the same and major. They need a new backup catcher if they don’t re-sign James McCann. They need a right-handed bat. And yes, they need Burnes or his replacement. But the infield could go untouched and they have Colton Cowser and Cedric Mullins for the outfield. Heston Kjerstad could break camp this spring. We're not talking about a major overhaul here.

If you could get rid of the time switch in the spring or fall, which one would you choose?
Spring ahead! Give me light for longer.

According to a student here, there should not be an apostrophe in "O's". Will you settle this once and for all?
I thought the issue is that it’s backward. The apostrophe doesn’t follow grammatical rules but they change for a brand name.

What is the craziest thing you have seen fans do at games?
Saw a guy climb the left field foul pole. I have a paralyzing fear of heights, so it wasn’t easy to watch. A Red Sox fan jumped on the visiting dugout roof in 2008 and began break dancing after Manny Ramírez hit his 500^th home run. The guy spun around while the ballpark erupted. This is back when the Red Sox took over Camden Yards.

Have you heard of any discussions regarding Teoscar Hernandez?
I’ve seen the Orioles linked to him if they don’t re-sign Anthony Santander. They’ll track the market for him. 

Could Joey Gallo be signed to a minor league deal?
I mean, technically he could be signed. Do I think it will happen? Nope.

Have you never been mellow?
Not only that, but I’ve never tried to find a comfort from inside me. I’ve never been happy just to hear my song, and I’ve never let someone else be strong. RIP Olivia.

Any updates on improvements to Oriole Park besides the Wall? And I'm not talking about a Pink Floyd reunion.
How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat? I’ve only heard that they will try to make an upgrade to the sound system for 2025 before embarking on more significant improvements. They’ll want a bigger video board, but that’s also for 2026.

Are Kyle Bradish's and Tyler Wells' rehabs moving on schedule?
Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said he’s expecting mid-season returns for both pitchers. “Knock on wood, their rehabs are on schedule or better right now,” he said.

Will Ryan Mountcastle take part in demolition day for The Wall?
He’s already hit it enough times.

Not a question. Looking forward to see you at spring training, sir. Keep on keeping on. You got this.
Thanks, Lou. Always good to see you.

How can the team keep the same offensive approach from 2024? The pitching, despite numerous injuries, gave us a shot, but the offense was terrible the second half and absolutely embarrassed themselves in the Wild Card series. I say 2025 absolutely can't be a repeat of 2024.
No one seemed to have issues with the approach in the first half. The Orioles finished with 786 runs scored, second in the American League and fourth in the majors. Their 1,391 hits were third in the AL and seventh in the majors. Their 235 home runs were two behind the Yankees for first in the majors. Their .435 slugging percentage led the AL and ranked third in the majors. Their .750 OPS was second in the AL and tied for fourth in the majors. A collection of slumping players who couldn’t hit consistently in the clutch won’t bring a complete change in approach and philosophies. But Elias added, “We’re always improving, modifying, adjusting. This is a game of evolution. I think there are areas that we can emphasize better, that we can find a better blend, and we’re doing that.”

Do you know the way to San Jose?
We’re still doing this?

I'll give you the Adam Schefter question: What's the weirdest place you've ever broke a story from?
Being in ICU a day after my heart surgery, tubes and wires coming out of me, has to the No. 1. And I wasn’t making calls or firing off texts. I just checked my phone for the first time. I’ve also stumbled upon news at the gym, and the parking lot of a Rt. 50 liquor store on my way to the Eastern Shore.  

What are you bringing to Thanksgiving dinner? And don't say "your mom."
I'd never! An appetite. We usually host family but passed this year because of my surgery. Just Emily and my mother-in-law Thursday. My mother, daughter and her family will stop by Friday. But there’s still a turkey … and my appetite.

What happens with John Means?
I think there’s a chance that the Orioles try to re-sign him to another two-year deal. A chance.

Is she really going out with him?
Sigh.

Will the Orioles be aggressive spenders over the winter?
I think they’re open to making a bold move. They have the green light to spend as long as it’s viewed as responsible and won’t be harmful to the organization down the road. This could be the most expensive offseason of the Elias era. You’re seeing the club linked to big-ticket items like Burnes and Blake Snell, which wouldn’t have occurred in the past.

Any chance at a Trey Mancini reunion?
I’d be surprised. The Orioles are in the market for a right-handed bat, but more so for the outfield. Mancini is a first baseman and designated hitter. They already have Ryan Mountcastle, and Coby Mayo needs to get a legitimate shot at the Opening Day roster. Mancini’s best days probably are behind him, but you won’t find a better person.

Who’s sorry now?
I am for starting this mailbag. And this is a probably good place to stop.

Who's the most ticklish person on the MASN team?
This is definitely a good place to stop.