Mailbag leftovers for breakfast

Another mailbag left me with another batch of leftovers. Grab a plate.

You ask and I answer. Everybody knows the rules.

Everybody also knows that my mailbag signs long-term extensions and your mailbag gets cut by Rancho Cucamonga.

Why the mass exodus?
Too much Taco Bell. Oh, you mean changes on the coaching staff and in the front office. Some left on their own, others didn’t have their contracts renewed. There isn’t an all-encompassing answer. But the .500 second half and quick exit in the Wild Card series figured to bring about some changes.

Do you view any of this as an overreaction to the season we just had or were some people unhappy in their roles?
A better opportunity came along for Matt Borgschulte. I don’t profess to know all of the details in the other moves. Fredi González and José Hernández expected to be back. I haven’t heard why they’re going to be replaced. That’s for later. Change always happens at the major league and minor league levels.

Where do you think the O’s farm system will rank in the next update? Seems like their supply of fresh young studs is dwindling.
The 2024 draft helped, but yes, a batch of prospects graduated from that status and others were traded. They aren’t No. 1. Would you settle for a bronze medal? MLB.com had them third in August. And just wait until the international signings are announced.

What's next for Cal Perry?
I don’t know anything about his plans beyond how he’s leaving early next year to pursue other opportunities. He’s working on that documentary project.  

Did Chris Holt's contract expire or is the organization letting him go? Will the Orioles replace him or are they restructuring?
Forrest Herrmann is replacing Holt as director of pitching development. His latest promotion. As for your first question, Holt wasn’t brought back. He's contacting other clubs. That’s all I know.

Who are some notable players that the Orioles must protect in the Rule 5 draft?
If we’re talking about top 30 prospects, pitchers Juan Nuñez (No. 8 per MLB Pipeline), Brandon Young (No. 19) and Alex Pham (No. 25).

Taking a look at Cade Povich’s amazing September, it included some starts against really good teams. What does the brass think they have on their hands? Middle rotation or top two?
They’d be thrilled with middle-to-back of the rotation. The rest is up to him. They love his arm and he gained valuable experience in the heat of a pennant race. They trusted him enough to put him on their Wild Card roster, and he would have started Game 3 if Dean Kremer pitched in Game 2.

If Forrest Wall has a torrid spring, makes the club and becomes a fan favorite while patrolling the left field wall at Camden Yards, what will his admirers wear to honor him?
I had to check whether he was in the organization. Forgot all about him. I guess tree costumes would block the view of the fans behind them.

Is there a Mike Elias-Daz Cameron connection beyond spring training 2023?
Yes. The Astros drafted Cameron in 2015. He was the 37^th-overall pick.

Any plans to change the stupid three-game playoff first rounds to five games or seven games?
I’m surprised they haven’t done it to make more money. Go with a best of 17.

Since you tore off the Band-Aid and ripped open the Jeffrey Maier wound, you surely saw some of us list the "Worst Moments of our Oriole Fandom." What is your "worst moment of Oriole fandom?"
When I was allowed to be a fan, Game 7 of the 1971 and 1979 World Series. Crushing defeats to the Pirates. I rode an elevator with Steve Blass at PNC Park in April and I mentioned how he made 8-year-old me cry. He insisted that we take a photo together and he flashed his World Series ring. I checked my phone later and the ring was cut out of the picture. An accident! I swear!

Which stadium upgrades are scheduled to occur in the offseason?
The only thing I’ve heard is that there could be a slight upgrade to the sound system before a much bigger project unfolds. The major changes can’t be completed before 2026.

With seven spots on the 40-man roster currently open (I know this because I follow you on Xwitter), are there other players who the Orioles may cut to make room to protect players who would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft?
With seven spots open, they wouldn’t need to clear more space. However, I’m sure there will be more players removed from the 40-man as we go through the offseason.

"The Nightmare Before Christmas." Halloween movie? Christmas movie? Both?
One of my granddaughter’s favorites. She dressed as Jack this year. I say “both.”

Is it possible Elias could pry Garrett Crochet away from Chicago?
Talks could pick up again if the White Sox are listening. I don't anticipate a Crochet sighting in Sarasota.

Is Nicole Sherry a Toro, Jacobsen or John Deere woman?
The grounds crew mostly uses Toro. And where else are you going to get this kind of information?

Any health updates?
Only my own. If you've read to the bottom of the mailbag, I'm sharing that I'm undergoing a valve replacement early Monday morning. Unfortunately, it isn't my car. There isn't a gentle way to say "open-heart surgery," but that's what's happening. I've known since April. My cardiologist recommended the procedure in the offseason, which the Orioles dictated. I scheduled it for Nov. 4 in case they made the World Series. I'll spend a couple days in ICU before moving to another unit. The surgeon said the entire stay can last five or six days, but some people get out in three. Then he added, "You look like a guy who's gonna want out in three." I'll have a few stories in the can, but I may be detached from my laptop after they've run. I don't know how this works. I can't drive for a month or work out for two because expanding my chest is strictly prohibited. Cardio and legs are OK, which means I'm screwed.

Pray for Emily, because I plan on being a very difficult patient. And I'm trusting that no one will hijack the blog Tuesday night. (This actually is my elaborate plan to sleep through the election.) The comments will be monitored. Make me proud. I'm not above playing the heart surgery card on you.