Because You Asked - Dark Territory

My mailbag wouldn’t travel to Chicago this weekend for one simple reason: It refuses to put a pickle and sliced tomato on a hot dog.

Hey, I don’t make the rules.

The Orioles finish their series against the Cubs this afternoon and are off again Monday, one of the six open dates in June’s schedule. They begin a two-game series in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Tuesday, with only one night of hotel living for the media due to the 12:10 p.m. start on Wednesday.

I’m not lugging the mailbag to Florida. I dumped its contents on my living room floor, mostly to cover the stain but also to answer some questions.

This is the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original. It hasn’t been modified and formatted to fit your screen.

I’m only editing for style if you’re wearing jorts.

Also, my mailbag replaced your mailbag’s coffee with Folgers Crystals.

Why select Mark Kolozsvary’s contract and option/DFA him the following day?
I was slow to pick up on it. Kolozsvary already was in Baltimore – apparently another taxi squad catcher thing - and the Orioles didn’t know that Ryan Mountcastle would go on the injured list until after he tried taking batting practice. They didn’t want to play shorthanded and couldn’t get anyone else to Baltimore that quickly. The option/DFA was unusual, but it just worked out that way. Two separate transactions hours apart, with Joey Ortiz recalled and then Mountcastle put on the IL with vertigo.

Is Kolozsvary catching in Norfolk again?
Nope. He cleared outright waivers and elected free agency.

Whatever happened to Anthony Bemboom?
What’s with the minor league catching obsession? Who’s next, Randy Florentino? Bemboom was on an injury rehab assignment in the minors. I saw him in High-A Aberdeen’s lineup a few days ago. But he's back with Norfolk.

Last season, Brandon Hyde came close to winning AL Manager of the Year. Do you think Hyder is in the running this season, and do you think Mike Elias is in the running for AL Executive of the Year?
Yes and yes. Hyde lost out in the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting but was first in The Sporting News and Baseball America. They got it right. Leading the Orioles into the playoffs certainly would make him a favorite again, and especially if they win the division or host a wild card series. The Orioles are getting contributions from a bunch of new players this season, including Kyle Gibson, Adam Frazier, Ryan O’Hearn, Aaron Hicks and Josh Lester. Elias traded for Yennier Cano last season. And he doesn’t have the freedom to just throw money at a problem. What he’s doing is much harder.

Any reason why DL Hall is only going three innings in his last few outings?
The Orioles put Hall in a “de-load” phase, reducing his innings and pitches. He didn’t have a full spring training because of lower back discomfort. He’s reporting to the spring training complex in Sarasota to intensify a deliberate physical training phase, but he’s also throwing on back fields and in live game situations to keep his arm active. The most important part of this information is, there’s no need to conduct a DL Hall watch. He won’t be in the Orioles’ rotation anytime soon.

What does your granddaughter call you? Granddaddy, pop-pop or grand-pop Roch?
Papa Guns. OK, just Papa. That was her choice. I was going along with whatever she blurted out. Emily is “Eminem,” which might be the coolest Grandma name in history.

Is it just my imagination or are the Orioles’ hitters much better against breaking balls?
Keen observation. Going into the Cubs series, they were batting .248 against curveballs, sliders and sweepers, the second highest in the majors behind the Rangers’ .256.

Since the Orioles are in full contention and have a top farm system, will their first-round selection more than likely be a collegiate player?
Their first-round selection will be the best player still on their board after the first 16 picks are made ahead of them. They aren’t narrowing it based on college versus prep. They have certain criteria. They love the advanced bats. Up-the-middle defenders who can move around the infield. But that bat, for example, can be held by Colton Cowser or Jackson Holliday. By Heston Kjerstad or Gunnar Henderson.

Are you concerned with Bautista's workload and late-season burnout?
Denny Bautista hasn’t pitched for the Orioles since 2004.

Félix Bautista.
That makes more sense. Brandon Hyde is careful to limit relievers to only two appearances in a row, but he’s also managing a club that refuses to win easily. As if a big lead can give you a rash. So yes, there are some concerns. And not just Bautista. Yennier Cano, Bryan Baker. The Orioles live in high-leverage land and it’s dangerous terrain.

Do you think the O's look to acquire bullpen help?
On a related note … I think they try to trade for a reliever near the deadline or maybe claim one that appears on the waiver wire. And the motivation increases if they can’t bolster the rotation. Think Andrew Miller in 2014.

Is he available?
You’re missing the point.

Have they given any timetables for Ryan Mountcastle?
I don’t think a vertigo timetable exists. He worked out on the field during the trip to Chicago. Hit and fielded ground balls, per media reports. That’s a good sign. But it’s a day-to-day situation and the club hasn’t announced a date. Mountcastle isn’t available to reporters.

Do the Orioles need to add a bat and/or bullpen arm more than a starting pitcher at the trade deadline?
This is opinion. I think they need the starter first to put them over the top. Followed by bullpen depth, though they hope to get back Mychal Givens and Dillon Tate. The offense could get a lift from prospects in Triple-A. But hey, if they find someone who’s an upgrade and the cost is right in prospects, go for it.

What's the best Camden Yards-era Orioles team?
I’m sticking with the wire-to-wire 1997 Orioles. Best team in baseball. Never should have lost to Cleveland in the American League Championship Series. Armando Benitez’s infatuation with his slider was a pennant killer.

Did they say what grade Cedric Mullins’ groin strain was?
Elias said it’s a Grade 2. But he warned against reading too much into the number and making assumptions about length of absence. Mullins is hitting and running down in Sarasota.

Is there some sort of Ravens tie in with the Purple Pride promotion?
Yes. It’s a crossover promotion. Baltimore’s favorite colors is the way it’s advertised.

Is Terrin Vavra a possibility to rejoin the team? Love his versatility and his at-bats.
Not anymore. At least for a while. He’s on the Triple-A injured list with a strained right shoulder.

If you put on your GM hat (which, by the way, is a good look), who would you target at the deadline?
I don’t wear hats. Ever. It’s a hair thing. Also, they’re uncomfortable. Probably because my head isn’t used to them. But I digress … I’d check on White Sox starting pitching, Corbin Burnes, Shane Bieber. I have no idea if these teams are really motivated to make a trade or what they’re asking for, but that’s why you make the phone calls.

With Yankees broadcaster John Sterling recently getting hit by a foul ball, what's the worst you've been nailed by a ball in the press box?
Nothing major. Not in the head, though I probably just jinxed it. But I stuck out my hand a few years ago, while still seated in the second row behind home plate, and took a scorching line drive off my thumb. I suffered a contusion and was minute-to-minute.

Do you think Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg will get to the majors this season?
I am 100 percent positive that they’ll play in the majors this season. But I don’t know when the Orioles will create roster space for them. They won’t come up to sit.

Will the Orioles be buyers or just the normal innocent bystanders like 2012-2016?
Nothing innocent about trading Josh Hader for Bud Norris in 2013. Or Eduardo Rodríguez for Andrew Miller in 2014. Or Zach Davies for Gerardo Parra in 2015. Or Ariel Miranda for Wade Miley in 2016. They are buyers in 2023. But to what degree? What are they willing to surrender?

Any idea who the O’s are looking at in the draft? And don't say "your mom."
I'd never! They're looking at high school and college players. Pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders.

You are a tremendous help.
That isn’t a question.

Is there any word on the cause of Mountcastle's vertigo? And how is he doing?
We know very little about it. Hopefully, we learn more about its origin and whether he’s had it in the past when he recovers and speaks to the media. He’s doing much better. But he had a setback at Camden Yards before going on the IL, so optimism is restrained.

Is your refusal to call Gunnar Henderson “Baseball Jesus” solely because his hair is blonde?
Gotta be honest, I didn’t even consider his hair when staying away from that nickname.

What box is Grayson currently checking in the minors?
Improved fastball command and confidence. Or is that two boxes?

Which deserving Oriole will be the most egregious All-Star snub? And can we still blame Cito Gaston for it?
Sing along: “No one snubs like Gaston, no one rubs O’s fans the wrong way like Gaston, no one’s head is incredibly thick as Gaston.” Apologies to anyone who didn’t see “Beauty and the Beast” and has no idea what’s happening here. Tyler Wells could be the most egregious if a third Oriole is deemed too many. Austin Hays and Yennier Cano also deserve consideration.

Will Camden Yards ever get another All-Star game?
I think so. Especially if the O’s want to show off that new entertainment district.

What are the chances of Gunnar Henderson being ROY and does he lead the Orioles in home runs for the season? (He’s already tied with Mountcastle, who’s on the IL).
Mountcastle has 11, Henderson has 10. Henderson fell off the betting boards, but he must be back on them. There’s lots of time for him to win it. Cano also is getting noticed. I don’t know who’s regarded now as the favorite, but I see a lot of love for the Red Sox’s Masataka Yoshida and the Rangers’ Josh Jung.

Gunnar for the Home Run Derby?
He keeps hitting them 462 feet and he’s gonna get asked. The club wouldn’t stand in his way but might prefer that he rests. And doesn’t mess with his swing.

Shades of the Wieters/Weiters spelling conundrum back in the day, but does Henderson pronounce his name Guh-ner, Goo-ner, or Goo-nar?
Like it’s spelled. Gunn-ar. Or Gun-nar. Mine is “Rock.”

Does Spenser Watkins become a long relief pitcher like Mike Baumann?
Baumann is more of a short-spurt guy this year. The fastball velo increases. Watkins is a long reliever when he isn’t starting.

Is Josh Lester, Ryan O'Hearn, or Heston Kjerstad the backup first baseman to Ryan Mountcastle. Or … replacing Mountcastle?
We’re replacing Mountcastle? The position is Mountcastle’s when he comes back. Anyone else is a fill-in, like O’Hearn, Lester, Anthony Santander, Ramón Urías. Kjerstad is getting experience at first but he’s an outfielder. The Orioles don’t have a real first base prospect in the minors. They could move Coby Mayo across the diamond, but that’s another position switch.

What happens next after Mr. Splash, Mr. T and Mister Rogers walk into a bar?
This is probably a good place to stop.

What is Mr. Splash's day job, and is he single? If so, I've got this sister...
Yeah, this is definitely a good place to stop.