Because You Asked - A New Era

What's better than a midweek mailbag?

Basically anything, but it's not up to me to supply the questions here. That's your job.

The fans have spoken - or written. They won't be ignored or put in the corner.

I present to you the latest sequel to the original. You ask, I answer, you ask again, I answer again. It's the same old story, same old song and dance, my friend.

We don't edit for anything. What you send is what I post.

OK, maybe a word or a comma ends up on the cutting room floor, but I don't expect anyone to seek representation. Let's keep it relaxed and fun.

Also, my mailbag shovels its driveway and dumps snow in yours.

Have there been any minor league signings this month beyond the international kind?
Nope. Nothing since December.

Will we see Heston Kjerstad in spring training?
Well, I don't know yet if fans will have full access. I don't know whether the media will have any sort of access. I don't know if spring training is starting on time. And I don't know much about history. But Kjerstad has a decent chance of being a non-roster invitee, as opposed to heading over to the minor league side at Twin Lakes Park. He's made a full recovery and is impressing in his workouts and hitting sessions.

If all goes well health-wise, do you expect Kjerstad to probably start the season at Single-A Aberdeen?
That's still a tough call without knowing how he looks in spring training. Maybe the odds of going to the Rookie-level Florida Complex League have decreased with Kjerstad's impressive showing at the fall instructional camp and his inclusion in both hitter minicamps this month, and how he has a good chance of being a non-roster invite to major league camp, for however long he's there. If I had to guess, I'd say low Single-A Delmarva to start. But that's purely a guess. I'm just happy that he's made a full recovery and can focus on baseball again.

Do you think the regular season will start on time?
I feel much more confident about that than spring training, but honestly, it's just speculation at this point. The last negotiations between Major League Baseball and the union didn't appear to bring the sides closer together, per reports, but there was never going to be an agreement on that day and deals tend to get struck much closer to a "deadline." Keep those fingers crossed.

Are the Orioles moving up one of their minor league managers to replace Kyle Moore at Aberdeen?
No. It's going to be an outside hire, which I mentioned weeks ago.

Is that your way of saying I should be paying attention?
Man, a conversational mailbag really is weird.

Now that the left field fence is being moved back and raised, will the Orioles do the same at Ed Smith Stadium or to the replica Camden Yards field?
They're changing the fence in left field?

Yeah, that's what I've heard.
The Orioles don't have any immediate plans to alter the dimensions at the spring training complex and I don't see why it would be a priority. The alarming rate of home runs hit at Camden Yards and the difficulty in luring free agent pitchers are issues that don't spread south. But the club will need to get creative if it wants outfielders to practice playing balls hit to the section of fence in Baltimore that's going to jut out at a 90-degree angle.

Is this the most important news since the new regime arrived?
The attempt to level the playing field, so to speak, certainly is noteworthy, and any changes to such a beautiful ballpark will grab your attention by the collar. Remember this article from 2013 about the Orioles replacing the synthetic warning track? (Enjoy the attached comments, too.) I found a warning track story from April 2007, when the Orioles also expanded the height of the screen behind home plate by nine feet - a change likely triggered by a Jay Gibbons foul ball into the stands the previous September that struck his wife, Laura, in the ribs. And a major fuss was made over ballparks extending the protective netting foul pole to foul pole, as the Orioles did in September 2019. But for me, having a farm system ranked No. 1 or 2 in baseball is as big as it gets because the rebuild doesn't work without this kind of improvement. The Orioles have the No. 1 position player and pitching prospects in baseball. Tell me the last time that's happened? And they're spending franchise-record amounts on international free agents. Also a bigger deal in my book. You want fewer home runs hit at Camden Yards? Moving back the fence is a smart move. Lazy fly balls shouldn't so easily clear it. The front office did its homework and had sound reasons. But also important is having a staff that isn't as prone to giving them up.

Do you really think free agent pitchers will be easier to sign?
I think it could alleviate some concerns about the ballpark, but money still talks the loudest. Free agents have a tendency to grab the highest offers. There's also the appeal of playing for a contender, which the Orioles aren't projected to be in 2022. We don't know about 2023, though there are reasons to be a lot more encouraged. So, yes, I think it's going to help in the recruiting process. The ballpark's reputation as a launching pad only works for hitters. I've covered pitchers who couldn't wait to get out of Camden Yards, and the American League East. The Orioles can only address the first concern.

Will the Orioles spend more money on free agent pitchers, and free agents in general?
They already did with Jordan Lyles at $7 million after the lockout ends. That's the agreement. I think the spending will increase as they inch closer to contention. They've indicated as much. Not necessarily to where they'd give Gerrit Cole $324 million, but a definite bump in payroll. Right now, it's about increasing talent in the system, which they've clearly done, and implementing the organizational philosophies regarding the development of pitchers and hitters. What they want to teach. Hiring or promoting people who they believe are best equipped to do it.

Any word on whether the city plans to give left field its own zip code?
I'll look into it, funny guy.

Did the Orioles consult the original architects in regard to the changes at OPACY?
No. This really was data-driven, as Mike Elias and Sig Mejdal explained. Mejdal's presence on the Zoom call was telling. Elias said the club spoke with manager Brandon Hyde, coaches, and both current and former players to elicit opinions and measure the enthusiasm behind the idea. It wasn't about putting lipstick on a pretty ballpark.

Do you know of any free agent pitchers who turned down a better offer from the Orioles because of Camden Yards?
I'll need more time to mull that one. I'm sure it's happened and I've reported it. I do recall local product Gavin Floyd turning down a two-year, $20 million offer with incentives from the Orioles and signing with the Braves for one year and $4 million (with a possible $4.5 million in incentives). Might not have had anything to do with Camden Yards, but it was a shocker - both that the Orioles made that offer for a pitcher, and one who had been injured, and that he declined. Bronson Arroyo turned down a "competitive" offer from the Orioles, as it was termed, and signed with the Diamondbacks in February 2014 for a guaranteed $23.5 million over two years. But yeah, there were times when a pitcher took less. Maybe in the next mailbag.

What is Wordle?
Pretty sure he's the lefty reliever who appeared in one game. Cardinals selected him off waivers.

I don't think that's it.
Then I don't know.

I read your article about the upcoming minicamps for hitters in Sarasota. Isn't there a lockout? How is this happening?
The players invited aren't on the 40-man roster. It's that simple.

Are these minicamps open to the public?
They are not.

Are you open to the public?
I don't even know what that means. And yes.

Which Orioles prospect outside the top 10 in the organization could make huge strides this year?
I'll go with MLBPipeline.com's prospect list. Not sure what to do with "huge strides." Whether you mean on the major league club or just in 2022. Outfielder Kyle Stowers is No. 11 and expected to make his debut this summer. He could be starting in right field at some point, however the Orioles are able to create room. Left-hander Drew Rom, ranked 25th, was outstanding at Single-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie, and his stride definitely has him headed in the right direction. Third baseman Coby Mayo, ranked 17th, has one professional season under his belt and finished 2021 at low Single-A Delmarva, so he isn't debuting in the majors this summer. However, this kid can power his way up the ladder, if we're talking about 2022 strides that don't include wearing a major league uniform. Baseball America has Mayo 10th and pitcher Mike Baumann outside the Top 10. Baumann got a taste of the majors last summer and could be a much bigger contributor in the rotation or bullpen this year.

Super Bowl prediction?
Chiefs and Packers, which isn't bold. I really don't have a dog in the fight. I tried to adopt a team after the Ravens and Vikings failed to make the playoffs and it's hard. My family is from Pennsylvania and I spent my summers in Ford City with my grandparents, who loved the Steelers. I'm not a hater. I was rooting for them in part to honor my Dad (who also loved the Ravens, by the way), but they're one and done. Otherwise, I've got nothing. The Bills are four-time losers in the Super Bowl and their fans are fun, so I'll probably pull for them. I can't get on board with the Bengals. They're just not likeable to me. And running up the score on the Ravens because defensive coordinator Don Martindale correctly stated that no one was fitting quarterback Joe Burrow for a gold jacket was pretty weak. Also, pretty dumb because Burrow could have been injured. He took some hits. Martindale was just making a comparison to Aaron Rodgers. But whatever motivates you. As if Burrow needs it. He's a special talent with elite receivers. Anyway, I'll join the chorus saying Chiefs and Packers.

When will the Dominican Republic facility be completed?
We were told it was a 12- to 16-month project and they broke ground on Oct. 6. The 22.5-acre complex will be home to the Orioles' regional facility for Caribbean, Central and South American player development operations, which will include three full fields, a sports turfed agility field, batting and pitching tunnels, administrative buildings, dormitories, and educational facilities. So, it's gonna take a little while.

What have you heard about César Prieto and his estimated arrival time? Does his glove play?
There hasn't been an estimated arrival time, but at 22 and with his experience, it shouldn't take nearly as long as a typical international signing. Let's see where he's assigned. Could be as high as Double-A Bowie. As for his glove, Koby Perez thinks he's at least average at second base and capable of making the routine plays.

So this is the second year without an in-person MLB Winter Meetings. Despite all the sitting around for any news that I remember you disliked, do you miss it? Seemed like the weather was usually nice, at least.
Sitting around for news wasn't as bad as pacing the lobby area for hours and hours. There's just so much I detest about that assignment and few people really understand why. I've tried to explain it. But having in-person Winter Meetings is a nice indicator that the world is returning to normal, so I'd gladly take it, no matter the weather. OK, let's avoid Indianapolis again. It was snowing sideways one morning as I walked to my hotel, and a nearby bar that I visited had a photo of Johnny Unitas hanging on a wall. I almost flipped out. Not your quarterback!

What is your prediction on Adley Rutschman at OPACY for opening day?
The chances improve if the new collective bargaining agreement adjusts the service time rules. That's the best that I can give you. Improves.

If the lockout bleeds into the regular season, has MASN explored any programming options? I don't think any station owns "The Wonder Years," and there was at least one baseball-themed episode.
If that's the criteria, "The Dick Van Dyke Show" included an episode with Ritchie Petrie and his friend Freddie Helper wearing their baseball uniforms while trying to film a car commercial. Leo Durocher made appearances on "Mister Ed" and "The Munsters." And don't get me started on Greg Brady's failed baseball and football careers. Anyway, I don't have an advance copy of MASN's programming guide or its alternate plans in the event of a prolonged lockout, but sitcoms probably aren't under consideration. No matter how many times I volunteer to play the wacky next-door neighbor.