Because You Asked - The Way of Water

The World Series remains unsettled and free agency is on hold until five days after the conclusion of it. However, a mailbag can be sorted and shared at any time.

Let’s begin a new month with a fresh batch of questions.

Some of the responses might be stale. Some might prove inaccurate. I’m counting on short memories in these cases.

You should remember that I do minimal editing. Tampering with clarity is a rarity. I’d walk miles to maintain your unique styles.

Also, my mailbag hands out full-size candy bars at Halloween and yours gives out toothbrushes.

Which is more likely, Mike Elias making a big move through a trade or free agency?
Define “big.” Never mind. He’ll work both markets, but I feel like there’s a better chance at a “big” pitching contract coming to Baltimore via a trade, with no bidding wars in free agency.

Is Buck Britton likely to be elevated to bench coach or third base coach in Baltimore?
I reported recently that the rest of the coaching staff was expected to return, except for assistant pitching coach Darren Holmes, who’s leaving the organization, and pitching coach Chris Holt, who’s maintaining his duties as director of pitching. Bench coach Fredi González and third base coach Tony Mansolino are back.

With the pitching coach departures, do you think that might be a way to bring Buck Britton to the major league team? The Orioles must see that he could be a target for MLB teams with his success in the minors.
They likely do, but Britton was an infielder when he played. The lack of a pitching background would seem to work against him.

I was surprised the team is making changes with the pitching coach staff. They showed a lot of improvement. Do you have a sense that position is filled from within or outside the organization?
Could be both since there are two open spots. I’m not working with any inside information here, but Triple-A pitching coach Justin Ramsey could be a candidate. He’s done terrific work, and you have to assume that teams are sniffing around. And the Orioles could promote pitching strategy coach Ryan Klimek. That would be two in-house moves.

Who do you predict will occupy the second base spot in ‘24? And don’t say “your mom.”
I’d never! I need to know whether the Orioles sign another veteran before submitting my final pick. In the meantime, I could see them go with a combination like they did in 2023 that includes Jordan Westburg. Connor Norby will be in camp after a sensational season with Norfolk, but I don’t know whether he’ll make the club. I also don’t know whether Ramón Urías will return. Joey Ortiz can play second base if he’s on the roster. Jackson Holliday can play second base if he’s on the roster. I guess what I’m saying here is it probably won’t be one guy getting the vast majority of starts.

Worst candy ever foisted upon humans. Are you taking the rock hard sticks of gum that used to come with baseball cards or are you taking something else in the field?
The baseball card gum was harder than a license plate. Inedible. You’d be better off eating the cards. And if you’re handing out those chalky Necco Wafers on Halloween, you deserve to have your house egged.

When do you know the team is special? I ask because I recall in 2012 you were a bit ahead of the rest of us with all the fun we had early in the season (Adam Jones and company manufacturing comeback wins, and you ending a few posts with “cha-ching” as Jonesy built his free agent case). It kind of crept up on us all this year. So yeah, as a writer, when do you get that sense that the year could be more than just any other?
Nice memory. It usually begins to click when they claim a series that is supposed to expose them. When they stage late comebacks that make you notice that they keep finding ways to win. One instance, and I wasn’t there, involves Ryan O’Hearn on May 20 at Rogers Centre. We still didn’t know just how big a contributor he’d become this season when he hit a game-tying, three-run homer off Jordan Romano in the eighth inning. Félix Bautista put the first two runners on base in the ninth and stranded them, the Orioles took a 6-5 lead in the 10^th and Bautista struck out the side in the bottom half. The Orioles completed the sweep the following day by scoring five runs in the 11^th and improving to 31-16. They weren’t going away.

Where do you think Buck Showalter will be next season? Managing, commentator, or MLB executive/office?
He still wants to manage and reportedly has serious interest in the Angels job. Surprising to me since that franchise appears to be a mess. What happened with the Mets shouldn’t be pinned on him. I could see him doing some MLB Network studio stuff. I don’t think he’ll end up in the commissioner’s office. This might be the time when he just stays home and plays with his grandkids. He’s earned it.

White eggs or brown?
I assume you mean to eat. Usually white. Is there a difference besides the color? I didn’t notice. I make hard-boiled eggs for my wife, and she was grossed out by the double yolks that I bought. I thought it would be a treat, but nope. Maybe if they’re over easy. Just make a second slice of toast.

Is this still going on?
My fault. And I mean for making the mailbag conversational.

Will Big Mike Baumann ever get another chance as a starting pitcher?
Never say never, but the Orioles were committed to his new relief role in spring training, and he had lots of success with it. I think he stays in the bullpen.

When are we going to have female umpires?
Female robo umps? How would you be able to tell? Forget I asked. If there is a qualified female umpire in the minors, she could and should be promoted. I’d start the campaign if she can replace Ángel Hernández or CB Bucknor.

What are the chances of Zack Britton joining the Orioles bullpen?
I won’t dismiss it completely because I’ve heard that they had some level of interest last winter. There were discussions, but it didn’t happen. Britton would prefer to close, and Félix Bautista won’t pitch in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he’d likely settle for a job that presents the possibility without any guarantees. Britton threw for teams last year. If he isn’t ready to retire, he could take another shot at it.

What are the chances of Zack Britton becoming a pitching coach? Would be interesting to see him team up with his brother at some point.
I don’t know whether he wants to get into coaching. He’d have to pay his dues in the minors. He might be done with the bus rides, especially with four kids at home. But you’ve gotta love the idea of the Britton brothers working together.  

Are we really that mean over here? LOL.
Yes. My feelings are constantly hurt and I’m afraid to go out at night. OK seriously, no, but it’s funny that some readers have that perception. They lurk but don’t post. It’s natural to have disagreements and I feel like the vast majority are respectful. Also, if there’s a poster who annoys you, ignore or mute. But it’s fine. As long as fans are reading the stories, I’ve done my job. And we have no shortage of comments and traffic here.

Do you see the team possibly trying to re-up Fuji for the bullpen? Yes, he was wild at times, got hit hard at others, but also had some high points, as well. Guys who can throw 102 mph don’t grow on trees, and some of those guys take time to harness their skills. Guys like Adolis Chapman and former O’s reliever Tanner Scott come to mind.
Fuji wants to be a starter again and might not have any interest in returning. And the Orioles didn’t put him on their playoff roster. That said a lot without actually saying anything, you know? I don’t see the sides getting together on a new agreement despite the 102 mph heater. Fuji had an audition and didn’t pass it. That’s my hot take.

Not as good as a Hot Pocket.
Not as good as an actual question.

Any update on Dillon Tate's arm issue and is there an expectation for him to be a functional contributing pitcher for the O's in 2024?
I haven’t heard a word about Tate since his latest shutdown. He is a non-tender candidate.

Do you think if the Orioles knew that a comet was going to strike the earth in 2025, and all life on this planet as we know it will cease to exist, the Orioles would then work out a deal with the Padres to trade for Juan Soto for next season?
Seems like the perfect time to do it, right? I don’t see the downside. I mean, other than the world ending.

Can you give any insight into the Jack Flaherty trade? Did they see something specific in him that they thought they could work with to maximize his abilities, or did they just grab what was left when they didn’t land Justin Verlander?
They definitely thought that they could maximize his abilities. They liked his stuff and his postseason experience. A guy they thought they could work with and get him to the next level. They never stopped doubting the stuff. He just didn’t give them the results. I wouldn’t say they just grabbed what was left, as if digging through a bin at Target. They were in talks with multiple teams that were asking for too much. They worked out a deal with the Cardinals.

Does the fact that our season ended in a three-game sweep to the AL champion Rangers (or possible World Series winner) make the result for the team any less painful? Or is this just loser talk that fans like me use to fool ourselves that it’s not that bad?
There are many ways to mourn. I can see why it would be less painful because the Rangers really are that good. But it’s still a joyless sweep and I have friends – no, seriously, I do - who are upset about it to this day. A real gut punch. Get your hopes up, revel in the ride, and then it’s abruptly over.  The Rangers winning the pennant did nothing to soothe them.

When the Orioles are on the road, do the bat boys travel with the team? Are they even called bat boys anymore? Are they now offensive tool coordinators?
Good one. The host teams usually supply the bat boys.

It seemed that several MLB umpires were particularly inconsistent calling balls and strikes. What improvements to umpiring do you expect MLB to make for the 2024 season?
Maybe fiddling with Ángel Hernández’s GPS.

Two Ángel Hernández references in one mailbag. Is that a record?
I believe so. This mailbag will now be paused for the ceremony.

How do you see the lack of options for Ryan McKenna impacting what the O's do in the off season, if at all? Also, how do you see it impacting his opportunity with the team?
McKenna being out of options hurts because he was a shuttle guy and the Orioles liked having that flexibility with him. He also could be viewed as a non-tender candidate, though MLBTradeRumors.com projects his salary rising only to $740,000. What really hurts McKenna is the outfield logjam. It’s a plus that he hits from the right side, but still, the Orioles are going to need room for Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad. They’d also like to give Kyle Stowers another shot. McKenna’s ability to run and play all three outfield spots makes him valuable to the Orioles, and manager Brandon Hyde is a huge supporter, but the numbers seem to work against him.

If you had to shower at the same time as an active Orioles player, who would you prefer that to be?
This is probably a good place to stop.

What a weird question. Gotta be Gunnar though, right, like hypothetically?
This is definitely a good place to stop.