Mailbag leftovers for breakfast

What do my mailbag and mimosas have in common? They both can be bottomless.

Next question: Anyone surprised that I chose to use mimosas as a comparison? The options were plentiful.

I had some extras from the last mailbag, which led us to the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original.

Also, my leftovers stay fresh for days and yours change colors overnight.

Is Jackson Holliday here to stay forever?
In the majors? Yeah, he’s planted like a redwood. With the Orioles? Well, stay tuned.

How does Holliday generate so much power? I know he's added muscle in the past year, but man.
Co-hitting coach Ryan Fuller provided his insight Sunday: “He uses his body extremely well. His bat path is absolutely elite. He works up through the plane really, really well. Just a really great swing, obviously. His dad was a really good hitter. He’s learned the right things for his entire life. So just great bat speed, uses his body well, puts him in strong positions, and just really gifted.”

Does J.D. Davis have a plaque made for his locker yet?
Thanks for not writing "plague." I don't think they would have signed him. He didn’t have one at Tropicana Field. I’ll check Tuesday at Camden Yards. But I’m gonna go with “no.”

Is signing Anthony Santander and Corbin Burnes a possibility?
Just about anything is possible. For instance, look at next year’s Opening Day in Toronto. Will be hard for me to avoid it if I’m still here. We haven’t experienced an off-season with the new ownership group. A significant increase in spending is just assumed/hoped by fans at this point. Huge deals for pitching come with the obvious risks, but is anything really safe? Probably better than slugging first basemen, as I’ve mentioned in the past. I wouldn’t rule out a return by one or both, but that’s all that I’ve got.

When it comes to trades, do you prefer cash consideration or player to be named later?
I’m usually want cash, or the Marriott points when I check into my hotel, but I’d take the low-level minor leaguer in a trade – not at the Marriott - unless a team needs roster space for the draft picks. That little nugget comes into play around this time of the year.

Do the Orioles have a closer?
Yes, the reliever who pitches in a save situation. And yes, I knew what you meant.

Has there ever been a walk off inside-the-park grand slam? I'm too lazy to look up the answer myself.
I put down my bag of chips and remote to check on it for you. Yes, the late, great Roberto Clemente did it on July 25, 1956 against the Cubs at Forbes Field in a 9-8 victory. It came with no outs. In an unrelated story, I got to see Clemente play in the 1971 World Series, my first in-person baseball game.

What size bat does Coby Mayo use? I realize he's a big guy (6 foot 5) but that bat looks like a something he's been using since Little League.
Thirty-four inches in length and 31 ½ ounces in weight. This is the size he’s used for about the last four years. Mayo used to swing a bat that was a half-ounce heavier but noticed that he’d get tired later in the season and popped up pitches he should drive. Interesting that a half-ounce makes that much difference. And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

So, a serious question. Is Mike Elias or are the Orioles working on getting the rule changed so a designated hitter can enter the game on defense without losing the DH for the rest of the game? Sort of a dumb rule that can certainly affect the O's when Adley Rutschman is the DH.
I am not aware of any work done by the Orioles to change the rule or that the thought has crossed their minds. Or mine.

Do you think this is an odd time to trade Ryan Watson to the Giants for pretty much nothing?
That one sneaked up on a bunch of us, mostly because we hadn’t really thought about Watson. I lost track of him after his selection in 2022 as the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He was on the development list for a month before the trade. The club probably needed the roster space and didn’t see Watson as part of their future – immediate or otherwise.

Could you give us some insight to the taxi squad player? Do they practice with the team pregame? What happens when the game starts? Do they stay in uniform in the dugout, bullpen or relegated elsewhere? Do they get paid their regular minor league salary or bumped up to MLB minimum?
You ask a lot of questions for a guy from New Jersey (RIP Gilda). Taxi squad players can be in uniform and the dugout. They work out just like everyone else. They receive the major league per diem and get to stay in nice hotels. Not a bad gig. I considered it but chose sports writing.

Do you still get nightmares over Jorge Julio making you do so many last-minute rewrites at Tropicana Field?
Cold sweats, heart palpitations, upset stomach, explosive … nightmares.

Do you think Coby Mayo's and Heston Kjerstad's fielding abilities can improve enough that they can be everyday major league players in positions other than DH?
Yes, I do. Mayo will keep working at third base, especially his arm slot on throws, but some scouts projected him as a right fielder almost immediately after the draft. Would be wise to give him lots of work at the position during the winter and in spring training.

Rapa Scrapple or Taylor Pork Roll?
Neither product has ever touched my plate. I’ve heard great things about the pork roll. Jersey, right?

Who’s your MVO right now? Seemed a lock to be Gunnar Henderson, but Anthony Santander might have the edge.
I’m still saying Henderson at the moment, but it isn’t the same slam dunk as earlier. Santander and Corbin Burnes are in the conversation. Colton Cowser can have AL Rookie of the Year.

Any news on Noah Denoyer? You know his story, protected and then injured. Guy was among the most difficult to hit. Wondering if he's in Florida working his way back.
Denoyer had Tommy John surgery last September. He’s on the full-season injured list and rehabbing in Sarasota.

When Coby Mayo receives a humorous text from his teammates, does he simply respond LMAYO?
I see what you did there. Now I'll try to erase it from my memory.

Did every MLB team face the same scheduling headaches as the O's (one off-day in June, numerous night games on get-away days), or like the umpires, does the league want to stick it to Baltimore?
Everyone has a sob story. The one off-day in June was absolute abuse. However, the Orioles are known to play night games at home when the opponent is traveling later.

How long does Holliday stay up if he struggles again at the plate?
Man, this is an old one. It’s grown whiskers. It has clumps of ear hair.

Can you see Brandon Young being a ' pen option this season?
Perhaps, but Mike Elias indicated over the weekend that Young is a consideration if the Orioles need another starter.

What are your thoughts about the in-game on the field interviews of players? I remember several weeks ago when Gunnar was mic’d up and being asked questions while he was at shortstop and the game was in progress. How do the players feel about this? I remember most of us here were going crazy about it.
I guess they’re OK with it if they agree. I think it’s fine in an All-Star Game or an exhibition. Ken Rosenthal interviewed Corbin Burnes on the mound before first pitch of the All-Star Game. At least he didn’t try it between batters. So yeah, that’s fine with me. Otherwise, it seems intrusive. Mic a guy standing in the dugout. Don’t distract the infielder. Also, get off my lawn.

What will be the next new “sport” in the Olympics? Synchronized Cannonballs? Electric Slide? Hacky Sack?
Love the Hacky Sack idea but I’m also endorsing Synchronized Showering. For those late-night Olympic telecasts. And this is probably a good place to stop.

Dyson vs. Shark: Which sucks more?
So many responses, so little time to find a new job. And this is definitely a good place to stop.