Mailbag leftovers for breakfast

I had a little more mailbag left and didn’t want it to go to waste.

I’ll be handing out participation trophies by the end of the year. You’re all winners.

I might have missed some of the minor league signings. Any recent ones?
Is yesterday recent enough? The Orioles signed left-hander Raúl Alcantara, infielder/outfielder Franklin Barreto and infielder Jeremiah Jackson to minor league deals. Don't confuse this Alcantara with the right-hander. Different guys. Raúl was in the Mariners organization since 2018 and pitched this year with Double-A Arkansas, where he had a 3.44 ERA in 37 games. Barreto is a right-handed hitter who hasn’t played in the majors since 2020 with the Angels. He spent parts of four seasons with the Athletics and is a career .175 hitter with a .549 OPS. He’s batted .275/.342/.463 with 99 home runs in nine minor league seasons. Jackson, a right-handed hitter, was in the Angels’ system from 2018-23 and the Mets’ system in 2023-24 and batted .239/.307/.459 with 95 homers in six minor league seasons.

Will this be the year the O's finally free Bruce Zimmermann? Must be some allowance for good behavior.
Zimmermann is a minor league free agent. He’d be good rotation depth in Triple-A but likely prefers a better chance to stick in the majors.

Whatever happened to former Orioles third base coach José Flores?
The Red Sox have promoted Flores to first base coach/infield instructor. He was Triple-A Worcester’s bench coach.

Is Danny Coulomb's arm shot? The Orioles seem to think so because he's been such a great bullpen piece these past two years.
Coulombe’s arm isn’t shot. He returned in September and didn’t allow a run, though his velocity was down across the board. His surgery was to remove bone chips. It wasn’t a reconstruction. It also didn’t make him any younger. He’s 35.

With your surgery, what kind of foods will you be having for Thanksgiving?
I asked the surgeon whether I’d need to go on a special diet, and he paused and said, “Well, we always recommend a heart-healthy diet.” Duh. I recommended that he stop talking and ordered a pizza when I got home. I don’t have any restrictions beyond how caffeine isn’t a good idea. So, I should be cleared for turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, rolls with butter … Hold on, my chest hurts.

How do you feel about robot umpires being used in MLB, possibly by 2026?
Anything and anyone that will create a consistent strike zone.

I still don't have any questions, Roch. Do you have any questions for me?
I’ve got nothing. But don't take it personally.

Chicago is currently in a white out. What's the craziest weather you recall covering the O's during?
Fans came to Opening Day in 2003 and a blizzard broke out. The third inning looked like it was played in a snow globe. Jay Gibbons lost Ellis Burks’ fly ball in right field. Burks had no idea where it landed. “That was total confusion,” said starter Rodrigo López.

Why do they call it a non-tender deadline? Wouldn't tender deadline make more sense, or does that sound too soft?
It’s the same thing, but yes, for whatever reason the industry uses “non-tender” deadline. I’ve also wondered why. And then I’ve slapped myself in the face.

Cilantro? Is there a better taco condiment?
Not a fan of it. And not because it tastes like soap. It’s just too strong. Dominates whatever I’m eating. I can handle the Chipotle rice, but nothing more than that. So yes, there are better condiments. Heck, a dollop of sour cream on a hard-shell beef taco makes me very happy. I’m a peasant.

Do you expect the most money the O’s have ever spent in free agency this year?
They might have signed more players in the past, but salaries weren’t this high. A frontline starting pitcher and big bat would do it. However, the Orioles could go the trade route again for pitching, as they did with Corbin Burnes. They’re reportedly one of the more aggressive suitors for Garrett Crochet.

Roch, what will the final renovation of left field at Camden Yards look like, including the area around Mr. Splash’s perch?
The wall will move in as much as 20 feet and as little as nine. It’s also going to be lower by five-to-six feet in certain areas. The wall will stay  333 feet at the foul pole and move back to a 373-foot crevice. Then comes the nine-to-20 foot adjustments. The deepest parts will be 374 and 376 feet instead of 384 and 398. Mr. Splash will stand on a platform in his same location.

Beatles, Stones or Red Hot Chili Peppers?
Stones by a mile. Maybe two. And how did the Peppers make this list? That’s fine as a taco condiment, but …

Would you be fine with James McCann returning?
Yes. Pitchers like throwing to him, he’s solid behind the plate and he’s a clubhouse leader. He also might be the team’s best bunter. No one is tougher. He’s proven it. But he could find a chance to play more somewhere else.

Do you have a sense of what our coaches and players think is causing all these pitching injuries?
Bad luck is up there. People in the industry also point to higher velocities, the absence of the sticky stuff, pitchers putting too much strain on the shoulder and elbow trying to create more movement. And you’ll hear some complaints about the pitch clock.

Why is green bean casserole not a lasagna?
This is a good place to stop.