Because You Asked - The Final Reckoning

I’ll be home for Christmas, and with a mailbag that should be a little lighter after another dumping.

You dared to ask and I deemed your questions worthy of my attention. Don’t take the honor lightly.

Also, my mailbag roasts chestnuts on an open fire and your mailbag wrestles squirrels for acorns.

How much of a language barrier will there be for Tomoyuki Sugano in the clubhouse next year? He obviously won't have an interpreter in a mound meeting with Adley Rutschman, pitching coaches and other infielders during a game.
Sugano is allowed to use an interpreter for mound sessions. That isn’t an issue. And I’ve watched teammates in the past welcome foreign-born players and bust down that barrier. Koji Uehara learned some new words that he couldn’t repeat in interviews, and he loved it.

Who was our interpreter for Koji?
I had to look it up. It’s been a while. Jiwon Bang was Koji’s interpreter.

Are the Orioles done signing free agents?
Major league free agents? They aren’t done trying to add another starter and at least one reliever. It doesn’t have to be done via free agency, but that’s my guess for the bullpen. So, probably not.

Are the Orioles really in the market for another outfielder?
I’ve written that they could search the minor league market for a depth signing, which they did this week with Jordyn Adams, 25, the Angels’ first-round draft pick in 2018 who was designated for assignment last month. He’s appeared in 28 games over the past two seasons and hit .176 with a .421 OPS. He provides a right-handed bat and blazing 80-grade speed - he's 144-for-176 in stolen bases in the minors - and he can play all three outfield positions.

Is James McCann seeking a two-year deal and is that the holdup in him signing?
McCann would accept a one-year deal. That isn’t the reason why he remains on the market. He’ll get signed. Multiple teams expressed interest, and for good reason.

What’s the deal with the team letting their international bonus money expire?
Team would be “its.” The Orioles are a “their.” But I digress. You aren't the only person to ask and, unfortunately, I haven't heard an explanation beyond that sometimes a team holds back money for a "late bloomer." Some players are made available later in the process, which can lead to signings in early December. Or not. And then you have extra money.

Happy Holidays. Scott Boras gave the impression that the O’s are interested in extending some of their young players. Are you aware of any offers going out? Are any of our young players willing to sign extensions prior to reaching free agency? If agreements are not met, will they be forced to trade away some of their young stars?
A three-pronged question. Nice. The Orioles don’t share information on possible extensions and talks. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has stated multiple times that it doesn’t benefit the team and he doesn’t want agents to think that he’s sharing confidential information. I don’t think every young player is averse to signing an extension if the terms are right. Free agency isn’t a foregone conclusion. But the closer they get to it, the harder it becomes to lock them down. Whether the Orioles are compelled to trade some of these players could hinge on whether they’re contending. You don’t go prospect hunting while chasing a World Series. But it’s all speculation.

Why do I see content unavailable when I blocked no one and my settings say I have no blocked users?
Disqus is gonna Disqus. But also, it must mean that someone blocked you. How dare they!

Does the Tomoyuki Sugano signing make it easier for the Orioles to sign Roki Sasaki? Is that part of the reasoning behind the deal?
The Orioles haven’t commented on Sugano. They just announced his signing. People want to connect dots and think Sasaki will rush to Baltimore to be with Sugano. The bonus money used on Sasaki is more than reasonable, so that isn’t an issue. And yes, having another Japanese pitcher helps with the transition to life in the United States. But the West Coast and larger Asian communities could tip the scales. And Sugano told the media Thursday evening that he doesn’t know Sasaki. It’s a big country, you know?

Why do they want to hold onto Bryan Baker? Is this a "devil you know" decision?
Baker has produced some good stretches and you never can have enough pitching. That includes relievers. But he’s out of options and could be on the 40-man roster bubble. Keep in mind that it’s full. Somebody’s gotta go eventually.

Do you participate in Whamageddon, the challenge where one tries to avoid hearing the Wham song "Last Christmas"?
That’s really a thing? I wasn’t aware. That should answer your question.

How many catchers are on the 40-man roster?
A whopping four – Adley Rutschman, Gary Sánchez, Blake Hunt and René Pinto. That’s a lot of catchers. Did Dave Skaggs stop taking their calls? I don’t think it’s gonna hold up.

Who has more ABs in 2025, Heston Kjerstad or Ryan O'Hearn?
I’d assume that they have the same number of abdominal muscles. I’m not sure how that works.

At-bats, jerk.
Sorry. I can only go by past usage at this point and say O’Hearn, but Kjerstad should get a lot more playing time in 2025. That’s certainly the plan. He can get starts in the corner outfield and as the designated hitter. O’Hearn can back up in right field and at first base, as well as serving as DH. It could be close between them.

After your Alabama season you had, you must be very happy about your Minnesota Vikings’ season.
That isn’t a question. Also, there’s no question that Bama is better than a few of the teams in the playoffs – winning a conference championship shouldn’t be automatic - but you can’t get blown out by a .500 Oklahoma team and expect to make it. Anyway, the Vikings are a stunner for me. Sam Darnold? Really? I had low expectations. But every time I think I’m out, they drag me back in. I can’t wait for that early 7-0 lead in the playoffs before they lose 34-7.

Why do many on this board seem to think that ownership guaranteed a $200 million pitcher?
There was some conclusion jumping after David Rubenstein became the control person. Maybe it happens, but I don’t recall any guarantees. We can only be sure that more money will be spent than in the past. How much more will be known down the road.

Why is Christian Pache no longer in the Orioles organization?
They designated Pache for assignment on Aug. 1 and the Marlins claimed him on waivers. The Diamondbacks signed him earlier this week to a minor league contract. Time to move on. Don't look back. It only makes it worse.

Did anybody give an explanation about why Danny Coulombe's services were not retained?
I seem to get asked about him in every mailbag. Elias said the following at the Winter Meetings when asked about Coulombe and Jacob Webb: “There’s all kinds of talent evaluation that goes into decisions that we make. There’s economic decisions, there’s roster construction decisions. Every baseball move that we make is a combination of a number of factors. There’s other players that might be competing for spots. There’s just so much of it.

“Those guys are great pitchers, they’re healthy, they were a big part of our past success, but a part of being a front office or a general manager … These rosters are dynamic. You have to think about what’s ahead, and you’re not able to keep every player that you like at all times at any cost, and so we have to do a balancing act when we’re curating our roster. Sometimes that involves making tough decisions much earlier in the offseason than you’d like to when you don’t have a full picture of what’s going to happen and you don’t have a crystal ball and you have to make some decisions early in the offseason. But it doesn’t close the door.”

Mayo, Kjerstad, and Holliday really have nothing to prove in Triple-A. Do you see the Orioles going into Opening Day with all three on the roster or could one be traded?
I assume that Kjerstad and Holliday are on the roster. There’s room for them. Mayo faces a steeper uphill climb, but you’re right about him having nothing left to prove with Norfolk. A trade is possible. I wouldn’t rule it out in the hunt for a top-of-the-rotation starter. But the Orioles also could make a move that enables Mayo to fit or option him and speak glowingly about their depth. He’s going to play in the majors in 2025, however it shakes out.

Can you tell me (us) what the schedule is for re-situating Camden Yards' left field wall?
We were only told that it will be ready for the 2025 season. The home opener is March 31. So sometime before then.

Do you have a sense of what teams are in on Roku?
Do you mean Roki Sasaki? 'Cause I don’t know which players use a Roku to stream programs. I’ve read Mets, Yankees, Dodgers and Padres among the favorites. And don’t overlook the Mariners.

Whatever happened to Matt Bowman, the pitcher from Chevy Chase?
You sure you don't mean Chevy Chase, the pitcher from Matt Bowman? Reminds me of the old Baltimore Colts linebacker Sanders Shiver from Carson-Newman College. Bowman signed another minor league deal with the Orioles.

Is the plan to continue with the Mr. Splash character indefinitely? Is that a full-time job for him?
They built a platform for him next to the bullpens, so yes, he’s staying. Hosing down fans is a side gig for him.

Have you heard about any recent team interest in signing Teoscar Hernández or Jurickson Profar in the outfield, or Kenley Jansen and Reid Hoffman in the bullpen?
The LinkedIn co-founder? That would be an odd choice. The Tyler O’Neill signing likely eliminates Hernández and Profar from consideration. I haven’t heard anything about Jansen or Jeff Hoffman, but I’m not always in the loop.

What’s the deal with figgy pudding?
I don’t get figgy with it. And this is probably a good place to stop.

Would you eat raw squirrel?
I’ll pretty much DoorDash anything. And this is definitely a good place to stop.