Mailbag leftovers for breakfast

The Orioles are home for only their second series at Camden Yards. They don't hit the road again until April 22 in D.C., which barely counts.

Hitting the baseball is more important to them. They've scored nine runs in their last four games and six in their last four losses.

The mailbag has avoided any serious tears and mild strains. It helps to dig out some leftovers before the extra weight creates holes in the bottom.

You asked and I answered, and I treated editing the same way that I avoided those jelly-filled chocolates in a Whitman's sampler.

Any Kyle Gibson updates?
Gibson made his first start yesterday with Triple-A Norfolk and threw 47 pitches in 3 1/3 innings. That’s four “ups” for Gibson, who allowed one run and three hits with no walks and four strikeouts. The innings and number of pitches were the most important components. He’ll attempt to increase both in his next start, and the Orioles can decide how much longer he needs to stay down there.

Is Ramón Laureano vulnerable given his terrible start? We have Jorge Mateo. We don't need a defensive outfielder who bats .150.
His average is .111, but that isn’t the point I’m about to make. He’s only had nine at-bats. Let’s withhold judgement until the sample size is larger. And Laureano was signed for $4 million – that’s a financial commitment - to back up at all three outfield spots as well as provide a right-handed bat. He’s showing off a plus-arm with a couple of impressive assists, throwing out runners at second base from left-center field. He has 51 career assists and 25 defensive runs saved. That’s the “defensive outfielder” part. Nothing against Mateo, but he isn’t in that class. He’s an infielder first. Also, Mateo is 0-for-11 and a career .222/.267/.366 hitter in 452 major league games. He’s a blazing fast defensive infielder.

In your estimation, what is the biggest overreaction by fans in Birdland so far?
Pretty much everything two weeks into a baseball season. Take your pick. But I understand that the slow start is disappointing after an offseason that didn’t include a huge-ticket item. And I understand that the sample size is broadened if you go back to June 2024. I try to keep them separate. These are different rosters, and injuries are hitting hard again. Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Albert Suárez, Andrew Kittredge and Colton Cowser are big losses. Gunnar Henderson is playing catch-up and he isn’t the same player since his intercostal injury. But it’s the second week in April. To say that the season is over is dramatic. It's venting. I saw some fans labeling Tomoyuki Sugano a bust after one start. That’s just frustration talking and we’ve all done it. My wife jokes that I’m a terrible fan because I’m reaching for the remote in the first quarter of football and NCAA basketball games. I’m not here to judge you – well, most of you.  

Who goes when Kyle Gibson joins? Who else goes when Grayson Rodriguez is activated?
So much can happen before they’re ready. Don’t forget that we wondered how Gunnar Henderson would fit on the roster before Colton Cowser fractured his left thumb. Dylan Carlson was called up, making him the easy choice to be optioned for Henderson. Zach Eflin’s replacement, whomever that is, would be the most vulnerable if no one else is injured and the veteran right-hander comes back before Gibson or Rodriguez. We can use Brandon Young as an example. Otherwise, Cade Povich would be the easiest corresponding move, which might not be fair if he’s dealing.

Name two minor league starting pitchers who might be needed in the near future.
That isn’t a question.

Can you name two starting pitchers who might be needed in the near future???
OK, settle down. Brandon Young could be chosen to replace Zach Eflin when another starter is needed on April 19. Does Kyle Gibson count as a minor league starting pitcher? He’s in Norfolk and the Orioles might be ready to promote him after his next outing.

I haven’t heard much about Enrique Bradfield Jr. since spring training. How’s he doing?
I’ll introduce you to the internet later. Bradfield was removed from yesterday’s Double-A Chesapeake Baysox game with discomfort in his left hamstring. He’s 7-for-18. And he’s still fast when his leg isn’t hurting.

Is there any truth to the rumor that AARP is negotiating for some kind of sponsorship deal with the Orioles, given that the average age of our starting rotation is the closest to AARP eligibility in all of Major League Baseball?
That’s a rumor? How did I miss it? Zach Eflin just turned 31. Dean Kremer is 29. Grayson Rodriguez is 25. Cade Povich turns 25 on Saturday. This is me peeing on your joke.

Why doesn't Heston Kjerstad play every day? Best pure hitter on the team.
We can debate whether he’s the best pure hitter. Kjerstad has appeared in 11 of the 13 games. He isn’t buried on the bench. But like we’ve talked about here, the roster wasn’t constructed for Kjerstad to be in right field every night or to serve as designated hitter. However, Colton Cowser’s fractured thumb created more of an opportunity. It would be nice for Kjerstad to get more at-bats against left-handers. He wasn’t drafted second overall in 2020 to be a platoon player, and he’s 7-for-22 against lefties in the majors. Yes, I get to pick which small sample sizes are more legit.

Was a four-year, $45 million starting offer with a willingness to go to five a bad offer for Corbin Burnes?
Good or bad is a matter of opinion. To clarify, the $45 million was the average annual value of a four-year, $180 million contract. I read stories at least insinuating that the Orioles never made an actual offer. I read how they went just north of $120 million. I guess Maine is just north of Sarasota. OK, that’s an exaggeration. Anyway, Burnes wanted to pitch closer to home and Phoenix is about 12 ½ miles from Scottsdale. I measured it in the dry heat. We live in a world where $180 million for a pitcher could be construed as “bad.” But again, it’s a matter of opinion. The offer didn’t keep Burnes in Baltimore. That isn’t a good outcome.

What is the oldest age of the oldest Orioles pitcher’s offspring? Is it realistic we might have a grandfather?
Charlie Morton’s oldest child was born in 2015. So, no. But thanks for making me look it up.

Is Creed Willems projected more as a first baseman now than a catcher, or still both?
Both. I noticed Willems playing first base late in a couple of exhibition games, when the media barely is paying attention. He was the Baysox’s designated hitter yesterday and has made two starts behind the plate and two at first. He caught in nine Arizona Fall League games and played first base in four. The Orioles like the versatility and are nurturing it.

When Kyle Gibson comes up, what happens to the rotation? Six-man or someone goes?
I think someone goes, but who it is depends on the timing. If the Orioles still have a nine-man bullpen, they’d likely option Colin Selby. If they bring up a starter from the minors to replace Zach Eflin, he probably goes to make room for Gibson. I think it’s too early for a six-man rotation.

Can Vimael Machín play multiple positions, as he can flat out hit?
Machín has played every position. He even pitched a few times in the minors. He’s primarily an infielder and has played first, second and third this season. Second base is his best position, but he won’t win a Gold Glove. His bat gives him the best chance to get back to the majors for the first time since 2022.

If one of your catchers is the DH and he’s removed for a pinch-runner and the other catcher gets injured, how is that handled with no other catcher on the active roster?
Every team has an emergency catcher, but we don’t always know the identity. Terrin Vavra would be a good choice if he had a roster spot. Ryan Flaherty could play anywhere back in the day. Ramón Urías is a versatile guy. He might be able to do it in a pinch. You might be surprised how few players volunteer. Some lower their heads and avoid eye contact. Some induce vomiting.

Did the O’s sign Kyle Gibson knowing that Albert Suárez’s arm was trashed?
Gibson is a hot topic. The Orioles appeared to develop interest in Gibson after finding out the extent of Grayson Rodriguez’s elbow/triceps injury. Suárez broke camp with the team and made a relief appearance in Toronto. Gibson already was under contract.

Would you like to buy 3 Corbin Burnes bobbleheads?
I already have mine. Could I interest you in a Chris Tillman? I also have a Cristian Guzman from a trip to Minnesota. Make me an offer.

Do the Orioles front office and manager Brandon Hyde just not believe in opposite splits? As in, some left-handed pitchers actually have left-handed hitters bat better against them than right-handers.
The Orioles don’t totally ignore the splits, but every lineup isn’t reflective of them. Hitters have splits, too. We tend to forget that part and just focus on the pitchers. The Orioles brought in some right-handed bats to improve their production against lefties, and that was the stated reason for the lineup posted against Kris Bubic. But his splits won out and the Orioles were criticized for it.

Did Ray Liotta batting right-handed as Shoeless Joe Jackson ruin "Field of Dreams" for you?
Only because you could see his Fitbit. And this is a good place to stop.