Holiday mailbag leftovers for breakfast

Here’s hoping that everyone had a wonderful holiday spent with the ones you love. And that you tolerated the rest without incident.

I put a bow on the mailbag and noticed some extra questions. It can’t be emptied. It just keeps reproducing like Philip Rivers.

Here they are.

Haven't asked in a bit but what is the status on upgrading the parks sound system? I know it would be helpful for all.
Any major upgrades won’t be completed until 2026, but I’ve heard that improvements are planned for the sound system to get through 2025. And I agree that it would be helpful. As I’ve said, we can’t hear anything clearly from the press box, including the Opening Day ceremonies. I just tell Rob Long or whoever has the microphone that they looked good.

Will the Orioles sign a free agent before the New Year or are they on vacation until then?
They don’t shut down over the holidays. Deals can get done. It only takes a phone call. But I’ll predict that we don’t get more news until after Jan. 1. Just a guess.

If Coby Mayo doesn’t have an everyday spot, would he just join in the condiment race to keep himself busy?
I don’t get it.

Brandon Young, do they view him as a starter or reliever and can he make the club in spring training?
Most important, the Orioles view him as a starter first. Of course, that hasn’t stopped previous pitchers from getting bullpen work. But there probably would need to be some injuries for Young to break camp with the club, especially if another starter is acquired. Let him keep developing in Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation and wait his turn. Every team needs depth below.

Who will have more wins next year, Grayson Rodriguez/Zach Eflin or relish?
The combo of Rodriguez and Eflin will relish their big lead over your favorite condiment.

Was there any indication that the O’s were in on Tomoyuki Sugano? Mike Elias is pretty tight-lipped with all transactions. Makes me laugh when people say that the O’s aren't doing anything. We have no idea what's going on behind closed doors.
Charlie Rich said it best: No one knows what goes on behind closed doors. He also asked whether you happened to see the most beautiful girl in the world, but I digress. I heard and read nothing that linked the Orioles to Sugano. Perhaps I just missed it. He was mentioned as a possibility but based only on the need for a starter and his affordable price tag. Nothing that had me researching him and prepping a story.

If the Orioles make a trade for a starting pitcher, do you think they will have to deal someone already on the major league club?
That’s certainly possible. Elias said as much recently on WBAL Radio’s Hot Stove Show: “It’s a challenging market because there are so many teams going for it. The White Sox are one of the very few teams that were out there kind of in rebuild mode trading their players for prospects, and so the rest of the trade discussions by and large are with teams that are trying to push their chips in this year and win. And so you’ve got to find some partners and some fits major league for major league, and that’s always a little tougher.”

Who has been your favorite non-player person associated with the orioles (coach, executive, groundskeeper, whomever) to talk to in your years covering the team?
There are quite a few and I’ll end up forgetting someone, but I always enjoyed my conversations with Brady Anderson when he played and that continued when he moved into the front office. Bunch of managers, including Brandon Hyde. Bunch of coaches, including Sam Perlozzo (who later managed), Alan Mills, Tony Mansolino, Tim Cossins, Scott Coolbaugh and Bobby Dickerson. Triple-A manager Gary Kendall and former coach and executive Brian Graham. Some agents and scouts, too, who shall remain anonymous.

Merry Christmas. What are some differences in the player development process between this front office those of years past?
Merry Christmas. Let me point out one of the most important – a consistent message and instruction from top to bottom. Players at the lower levels aren’t exposed to something entirely different as they move up. The use of analytics, of course, and emphasizing hard contact and elevating the ball. Attacking pitches in a specific zone.  

What is the best Christmas present you’ve ever received? And don’t say “your mom.”
I’d never! Sorry to change the mood here, but my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer in August 2018. He was so weak and in and out of the hospital, but hung in there while we had our first family Christmas gathering in Ocean Pines. Everyone made it. He posed for photos and stayed up until the last person left, then said he was going to bed. Gave my wife and me a hug. We lost him less than a month later. But we had that day.

The Orioles had problems staying healthy last season and it sure would be nice to have a proven power hitter that remains healthy during the entire season. So in that spirit, is there any chance the Orioles consider Pete Alonso?
That would be a shocker. They seem set with first basemen and are trying to find room for Coby Mayo. I don’t see Alonso as a fit.

What are the difficulties in identifying the source of individual free will in light of the deterministic theories of neurochemical medicine and modern behaviorist psychology? And don't say "your mom."
I’d … what?

Do the Orioles have any other needs as far as position players go this offseason or are they focusing on pitching from here on out?
My assumption is that any position player signings would be minor league deals. They seem set otherwise and are focusing on the rotation and bullpen. Unless Elias has something up his sleeve beyond a Rolex.

What will your bonus be when you win a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the 2025 World Champion Orioles?
Two words: Profit sharing.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Dude, Where's My Car? Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Are We There Yet? Who's Harry Crumb? What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
Awesome Harry Crumb reference. Obscure 1989 John Candy flick. And this is probably a good place to stop.

Why was I the only one naked at the gender reveal party?
Yeah, this is definitely a good place to stop.