Challenging readers with two more Orioles questions

Before I crank out another mailbag, let’s turn the tables again with me supplying a couple of questions. Give me your feedback.

We’ve pondered whether Zach Eflin or Grayson Rodriguez would be the No. 1 starter as the roster’s currently set, who’s the No. 5 starter, the chances that Jackson Holliday platoons, how much Heston Kjerstad plays, whether the Orioles trade for Luis Castillo, if the Orioles are done making moves for position players, whether Nick Gordon make the team, should Albert Suárez start or relieve, who’s a dark horse candidate, how Tomoyuki Sugano will adapt, which starters go to the bullpen, and whether the Orioles can count on Jorge Mateo on Opening Day.

Here are two more for you to ponder.

Would the Orioles trade Ryan Mountcastle?

Pretty much anything is possible, and here’s one reason why the Orioles could be motivated to do it: They don’t have room for another infielder.

Let’s say, for example, that the Orioles want to carry Coby Mayo or Emmanuel Rivera on Opening Day, or a position player is available who intrigues them. I’d expect Heston Kjerstad to make the club as a fourth outfielder and designated hitter. They’d need to tackle the infield.

Mateo has to prove that he can be ready for Opening Day after his elbow reconstructive surgery. A move to the injured list would solve the problem. Otherwise, Ramón Urías could get bumped, but he’s a valuable utility player and he’s out of options. Perhaps he’s the trade candidate if Mateo is fully recovered and gets sufficient at-bats.

Holliday has two options but he’s supposed to be a regular presence at second base, with Jordan Westburg the primary starter at third. Holliday would have to play his way off the roster in spring training. I don’t see the Orioles trading him.

Teams inquired about Mountcastle at the trade deadline and the Orioles were willing to listen, but they’d have to trust Mayo to share first with Ryan O’Hearn or give Rivera, who signed for $1 million to avoid arbitration and is out of options, a more regular role. Mountcastle received a $6.787 million contract last Thursday in his second year of arbitration eligibility.

Now, here are a few reasons why the Orioles might not be motivated to trade him:

They slanted too far left offensively, which led to the signings of right-handed hitting outfielder Tyler O’Neill and backup catcher Gary Sánchez. Mountcastle provides power from the right side and the wall is moving in, which should increase his home run total. He was robbed 11 times after the Orioles pushed it back, the most in the majors.

Also, Mountcastle is a back-to-back Gold Glove finalist and the Orioles put a lot of emphasis on their defense. This isn’t a minor consideration.

To get a No. 1 starter in a trade could require peeling a player off the major league roster rather than just moving a few prospects. The Mariners look like a match. They have the pitching and could use a corner infielder.

Outfielder Anthony Santander reportedly would be willing to accept a shorter-term free-agent contract after initially wanting five years, but the Orioles intend to play O’Neill on a regular basis, they want to give Kjerstad more consistent at-bats, and roster space currently is lacking. The Orioles would need to switch to five outfielders and six infielders.

How good is this bullpen?

It may not be finished, but the current group looks impressive.

Andrew Kittredge signed a one-year deal that guarantees $10 million and really strengthens the bridge to Félix Bautista. He also gives the Orioles another reliever with some closing experience, which is important with Bautista returning from Tommy John surgery and missing the 2024 season.

Kittredge made a career-high 74 appearances last season with the Cardinals and posted a 2.80 ERA. His 1.5 bWAR was the second-best of his career. He’s a swing-and-miss guy – an example is his 41.3 percent whiff rate with his slider – and he doesn’t walk many hitters. He has extensive experience pitching in the division. And the Orioles hold a $9 million option on his contract if they want to keep him.

This signing covers for Jacob Webb being non-tendered. The ‘pen also is without left-hander Danny Coulombe, and the Orioles could make another move before Opening Day. Otherwise, Bautista and Kittredge could be joined by Yennier Cano, Seranthony Domínguez, Cionel Pérez, Gregory Soto, Keegan Akin and Suárez, who looks like he will be squeezed from the rotation.

Suárez is out of options. What happens to him if another reliever receives a major league deal with every intention of breaking camp with the team and the Orioles resist a six-man rotation?

The questions just don't stop.

Orioles relievers ranked 23rd in the majors last season with a 4.22 ERA after being fifth in 2023 at 3.55. Adding Bautista and Kittredge, along with full seasons from Domínguez and Soto, could get them closer to where they want to be.