Because You Asked - Return to the Blue Lagoon

The mailbag will be much too heavy to transport down to Sarasota for spring training unless I empty it again.

I’m reluctant to check it with my luggage. I may not get it back until the Winter Meetings.

Here is the latest sequel to the beloved original from 2008. You ask, I answer, you ask again, I answer again. It’s bound to get old one of these days.

This mailbag is edited for profanity only. I removed all the stuff I originally put in there.

Also, my mailbag tans evenly and your mailbag has red blotches.

You seem fairly confident our rotation will have a new face before the season. Can you feed us wolves with any names?
You’d howl with laughter if you knew just how clueless I am with names. The free agent market is receding like a bad hairline. They’ve expressed some level of interest in Michael Wacha. A trade remains a possibility. The Marlins seem like a logical fit but the Orioles might have to part with major league talent to make it happen. The one certainty is this: They’d like to add another veteran starter despite the large number of rotation candidates.

What's your outlook on the division? How do you think the Orioles stack up with the rest of the AL East given current roster construction?
They’re a tough read because we’re relying so much on projections, on the impact of full seasons from Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, DL Hall, maybe Kyle Stowers, and the debuts from Grayson Rodriguez and other highly ranked prospects. The club’s offseason is a clear indication of its reliance on this group to produce the first playoff appearance since 2016. Much of the improvement from 2022 must come from within.

So, what’s your outlook on the division?
Sorry. I think the Orioles have a shot at a wild card, but their rotation on paper – and I’m stressing the paper part – doesn’t match up. But what if Rodriguez looks every bit the part of baseball’s top pitching prospect, and Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells stretch their 2022 production over a full season rather than a chunk of it? John Means could return by June, and certainly by the second half. The bullpen exceeded expectations by a few thousand miles, and it’s dangerous to expect a repeat, but Mychal Givens was a smart signing. An experienced and durable hand to strengthen the bridge to Félix Bautista. So yes, they should contend again, especially with fewer games against division opponents.   

What are your general thoughts on a more balanced 2023 schedule? Will Baltimore benefit from the move more than other AL East teams, or will the change not be substantial?
Did you two sit next to each other? Logic says fewer games against the Yankees, Blue Jays, Rays and Red Sox is a good thing. Not implying that it’s a cakewalk playing every team in the majors, but it seems like a sweeter deal for the Orioles.

How many spring training games will be broadcast on MASN?
The schedule hasn’t been released yet. Shouldn’t be much longer, since pitchers and catchers report in about six weeks.

What is your take on Kremer, Bradish and Wells in the rotation? If two of the three can improve and not regress, our rotation will look pretty good with G-Rod and Gibson and Means in July.
It has the potential to look very good. But we’re talking about three starters with limited track records – their success coming over a portion of a season - and a rookie without one. Might be. Could be. We’ll see. It’s certainly possible that five spots aren’t enough.

If the Orioles could only sign one of Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Grayson Rodriguez or DL Hall, who would it be?
You’re asking for my guess. And let’s hope they could sign more than one to a lengthy extension. I’d say Rutschman first.

Does Lewin Díaz get a new jersey number each time we claim him?
He still hasn’t received one, but I like where you’re going with this.

Do you think the Orioles will make a move to improve the DH/1B role?
You mean another move? There have been a bunch but none that really move the needle. I think they’re still trying.

Any chance of the team trying Kyle Stowers or Heston Kjerstad at first base during spring training? Create your first baseman from within.
I don’t see the Orioles changing their positions at this stage of their young careers. Kjerstad isn’t breaking camp with the team because he hasn’t played above High-A. No reason to remove him from the outfield. We’ll learn more about their plans for Stowers in February, but I don’t expect him to grab a mitt.  

If you had a vote for greatest singer of all time, who would it be?
Heart’s Ann Wilson is the best female rock vocalist, in my humble opinion. Stevie Nicks also ranks highly. Otherwise, there are just so many – names, types of music, etc. It’s an impossible task, which Rolling Stone magazine should have remembered before trying. I will say that The Brooklyn Bridge’s Johnny Maestro singing “The Worst That Could Happen” and Art Garfunkel singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” are exceptional and get me every time. Pretty much anything Diana Ross. Anything Freddie Mercury. I can appreciate the vocal stylings, as they say, of Karen Carpenter, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight, Mariah Carey, Adele and Alicia Keys. And that’s just a sampling.  

Any word on a date for spring training? Still haven't heard about pitchers and catchers day.
I don’t know who they’re dating and it’s none of my business. Many of them are married. Oh, a report date. Nothing yet, but we’ll know real soon. Mid-February is a really good guess, but you may want a more exact date. You aren't alone. This question was asked by multiple readers whose names aren't included in my mailbag.

Do you think the massive contracts that have gone out to free agents caught Mike Elias off guard and altered his off-season approach?
How much, if any, is unknown at this point. But I’m assuming that the second and third tiers were a bit more expensive than a lot of executives were anticipating.

I've long maintained the writers are uniquely qualified to cast votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame elections and that any accusations of bias or favoritism are less relevant than ever. Do you agree? Is there any other group that could do a better job?
Nope. We’re the best. Seriously, there are no perfect ballots. There are glaring omissions and ridiculous inclusions, but the debate rages on no matter who’s voting. Leave it to players, managers and coaches, and you’d still cite examples of favoritism. I think the vast majority of BBWAA voters take it very seriously, but I always find a couple clown ballots. The blanks or a single vote for a player who isn’t deserving but was popular in the clubhouse. Tossing him a bone.

Do the Orioles have any interest in Brandon Belt?
I haven’t heard his name attached to them, but I could say the same about Mychal Givens and he’s back. Belt has a concerning injury history, but he checks other boxes. I’d consider him an upgrade. They’d likely do the same. But they’d need assurances that he’s 100 percent, and protection in the contract in case another issue crops up. It’s been known to happen with physicals. It isn’t just an Orioles thing, as we’ve been reminded this winter.

How often do you and Cionel Pérez compare hair notes?
Hasn’t happened. Yet.   

Does Brandon Hyde choose player nicknames or do they arrive with them already christened?
More of a combo. There are the obvious ones. But I think Hyde occasionally goes rogue. He just comes up with something that shortens the first or last name. A term of affection. Not necessarily a “nickname” that everyone uses. The trick is learning the spellings. A couple reporters asked him to assist us and I still have the list in my phone.

Is the front office certain that we need another starting pitcher or are they prepared to go into next season as is?
They definitely want to add another veteran starter. But they won’t sign or trade for just anybody in order to say that they did it. You know? Still could use a veteran starter to slot high up in the rotation. It’s been a priority. But time is running short.

Vikings at Bears, who ya got?
The Vikings are the worst 12-win team in history, but they’re my 12-win dumpster fire. Justin Fields is out. Gotta go Vikings. Setting them up to be one-and-done in the playoffs.

Is there a chance Ryan Mountcastle is platooned at first?
A straight platoon? Doubtful. The Orioles want him in the lineup more than that. But there are certain matchups that can more easily be avoided, and more rest to be provided, with a left-handed alternative. That’s why Elias is in the market for one.

Do you think Michael went too far when he had Fredo killed?
Sorry, I’m only taking "Goodfellas" questions.

Hypothetical: If the 2023 season began today with the 40-man roster as is, who do you have backing up Mountcastle at first base?
I guess it would be Lewin Díaz. He’s back, right? Of course, a non-roster player could win the job. Otherwise, we’re looking at players who would need to leave their primary positions.

When was the last time you had a job with a normal schedule?
A construction job the summer before I started college. Unskilled labor. I don’t recommend it. Also worked at Glen Burnie Bingo on Richie Highway during college. You know, selling the cards, calling out the winners and collecting the money. And walking away slowly in case there was a tip coming. I’d often return home with $100 or more in sweaty $1 bills. My mother once asked, “Are you really working in a bingo hall?”

Does Anthony Santander get more starts in right field or as the designated hitter?
Such a good question. The reflex response is right field. But then I think about the revolving door at designated hitter, the possibility of Kyle Stowers breaking camp and getting regular at-bats, the opportunities for Adam Frazier and perhaps another left-handed hitter, and Colton Cowser’s pending promotion. Santander actually could be busier as the DH.

What do you think the next spring training oddity will be? We've had Ronny Paulino's car, Henry Urrutia's pants. What's next, B.J. Surhoff's catcher's mask?
Don’t forget Dexter Fowler’s change of heart. Maybe Lewin Díaz accidentally reports to the wrong camp.

Is there any chance we sign Trey Mancini or Nelson Cruz?
No. The Orioles want a left-handed bat. Cruz would make less sense because he’s a full-time designated hitter.

How can you tell which chicken is the jerk?
The one who stands in front of you for the entire game. Or the one who doesn’t use his blinker.

Is there an MLB ballpark that you have not been to?
I finally made it to St. Louis last year. The only one that I’m uncertain about is in Milwaukee. I covered a Brewers series many years ago with the late, great Joe Strauss. Back in the days when The Baltimore Sun sent two writers on the road. But it might have been the old place. I attended one game at Dodger Stadium, but in my early 20s as a fan. My first visit to Los Angeles. Fernando Valenzuela was starting during the height of Fernandomania. My friend’s van got a flat tire and the garage we pulled into was closed on Sundays except for gas, as one employee explained. My friend wisely told him that we were on our way to watch Fernando, and the tire was replaced in a matter of minutes. My only other memory of that day, beside the awful white shorts and tank top that I wore, was waiting in line much too long for a Dodger Dog. Wasn’t worth missing that many innings.

This anecdote wasn’t worth me missing my kid’s graduation.
That isn’t a question.

Which Oriole(s) will surprise us with a breakout season at the plate?
If we knew, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Jorge Mateo had that fabulous 31-game stretch. Maybe the hitting people figure out how to expand it.

Love it or list it?
This is probably a good place to stop.

How many Lewin Díaz transactions need to be layered on top of one another to be considered a casserole?
Yeah, this is definitely a good place to stop.