Orioles mailbag leftovers for breakfast

As we approach the Christmas holiday, I’ve decided to serve another batch of leftovers this morning.

Not from Thanksgiving. I’m brave but I also have my limits.

My mailbag is thinner but still could stand to lose a few pounds. Here are some extras from last week, with the usual reminders that I’d rather eat them than edit them.

Also, my mailbag is invited to office parties and yours is given the wrong date and address.

Do you think the acquisition of Craig Kimbrel makes it more likely that Wells starts the season in the rotation?
It might have improved his odds, but he could be destined for the bullpen if the Orioles acquire a starter, which they’re trying to do. New guy, Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, Dean Kremer. That’s five. Maybe Wells would be pitted against Kremer in camp. And DL Hall isn’t ready to bow out of the competition. Should be fun.

Where are the Orioles’ negotiations with Shota Imanaga?
Perhaps your imagination if MLBTradeRumors.com’s projection of a five-year, $85 million deal is accurate. Aim lower.

If you had $4 billion, would you buy a sports team?
Only if I could work out of my house. My office days would be over. Actually, who am I kidding? I don’t have an office now. Anyway, I’d certainly have to consider it. A very expensive hobby.

Do we need to worry about the Royals? They seem to be winning the off season from SOR comments.
They aren’t in the division. Also, I question whether they can get a full season out of Michael Wacha. But I respect their aggressive moves. It’s not like they’re playing in baseball’s toughest division. Bobby Witt Jr. is one of those generational talents. Build around him and go for it, right?

Think the Orioles should or would trade for Emmanuel Clase? Thank you, sir.
Stay Clase. I don’t think so after the Kimbrel signing. Félix Bautista should be back in 2025. And why give up the young talent that the Guardians certainly would demand in return if closing isn’t a huge priority? So, my short answer is that Emmanuel Lewis would be a more likely addition.

What are your opinions on the new lease … on life that Ebenzer Scrooge had after his visit from the three ghosts? Speaking of, what is your favorite adaptation of that story?
I love these. The first part. It’s amazing how many adaptations exist. I never saw the original in its entirety. Sorry. But I’m going with Bill Murray’s “Scrooged.” I’m also giving lots of love to “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” And I’m throwing you a curveball with The Odd Couple’s “Scrooge Gets an Oscar.” One of the finest sitcoms in television history.

When you digress, you really digress.
That isn’t a question.

What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve seen from an Orioles player?
Heathcliff Slocumb trying to close. OK, seriously, the first one that came to mind after reading your question was Jack Cust falling down not once, but twice, while trying to score the tying run in the 12^th inning in an August 2003 game against the Yankees. Tripped, got up, caught in a rundown, saw that the Yankees didn’t have anyone backing up home plate, tripped again. Face planted in the dirt. José Morban, standing a few feet away, leaped and spun toward the dugout in frustration, then realized he was José Morban and darn lucky to be in the majors.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
So many to choose from, but pulling away from a gas station with the hose still attached ranks highly on my list. I had gone inside to pay, which normally doesn’t happen, and totally forgot about it. Didn’t realize it until I heard a thumping sound as I drove down Rt. 32 in Eldersburg, looked at the side mirror and saw it. Had to drive back to the station, pull it out of my trunk and go inside, where the cashier just shook his head and said, “Leave it out there.” A male customer smiled and said, “I was yelling for you to stop.” In my defense, I was driving to Ocean Pines after getting my father’s cancer diagnosis and wasn’t thinking clearly. But still …

What’s one of your most difficult segues from one mailbag question to the next?
This might be it, but here we go.

Any chance we could have a parade the morning of Opening Day to celebrate a great 2023 season and get 2024 off to a rousing start? It would be so cool to have everyone celebrate. O's fans would rock the town before the team rocks the Yard.
Don’t think the team would organize a parade without winning a World Series, but I like your enthusiasm. Maybe fans could come up with something for themselves and get the team hyped.

Would the Orioles consider playing Jackson Holliday at third base?
From what we heard at the Winter Meetings, it’s second base and shortstop. And if he’s in the Opening Day lineup, I’d assume second base while Gunnar Henderson plays short and Jordan Westburg plays third. But that’s without knowing whether the Orioles bring in another infielder and who’s on the roster. Would they dare package Westburg in a trade to get a starting pitcher? Do Jorge Mateo or Ramón Urías factor into the roster?

Joey Ortiz on Opening Day roster. Yes or no?
Hate to seem like I’m ducking the question, but I don’t know what’s going on with Urías and Mateo. Holding onto one or both doesn’t bode well for Ortiz. I think he’d be an ideal utility player and at a much lower cost.

Any Birdland Caravan updates?
Only that it runs from Jan. 25-28. The Orioles will provide updates later, including locations and participants. I’m rooting for more Happy Hour events. Don’t think I need explain my reasons.

Are the O's inviting the media to tour their new Dominican facility when it officially opens?
I haven’t been told. I’m not booking a flight. I’ll gladly check out the photos and pass along quotes.

Could Yennier Cano remain the replacement closer, with Craig Kimbrel serving in more of a setup role?
Kimbrel could be used earlier in games to get critical outs. Unofficial “saves” are attainable in the seventh or eighth if they preserve leads. Also, if Kimbrel is slumping. But he was signed to be the main closer. The Orioles didn’t hide that fact.

Do you believe we're in advanced discussions for any starting pitcher like Dylan Cease, Corbin Burnes, one of Miami's young pitchers?
Advanced is hard to say. I’m convinced that there has been contact. The ol’ reaching out. But advancing talks is impossible if demands for prospects are unreasonable. I don’t know whether they’ve reached that stage.

Should we have greater expectations of what the mailbag produces after the O's won 101 games and the AL East title?
You worried about mailbag regression? I promise that it will maintain its usual high quality. Information and levity, with no tampering of brevity. What more could it do in a 102-win season, besides maybe not referencing your mother?

Could Aaron Hicks re-sign?
I don’t anticipate it. However, the Orioles might bring in a veteran outfielder. They’d prefer a right-handed hitter and Hicks bats from both sides. Manager Brandon Hyde seems to like him. So, I won’t dismiss the possibility. I’m just not expecting it.

How pumped are you for the writers’ spread in Dunedin?
Beats having my stomach pumped at other camps. The food at the Blue Jays’ complex is surprisingly good, though no team can touch what the Phillies offer in Clearwater. Top notch. Just like Citizens Bank Park. But my stomach won’t dictate my preference for spring road trips. Those two drives are the farthest and I don’t enjoy them. I can get good meals in Sarasota.

Will Bruce Zimmermann be full-go in spring training?
The Orioles say he underwent “successful” core muscle surgery in October and expect him to be ready for the start of camp. Also, he’s still a local product.  

Still no big trades from the Orioles? Isn't it getting late?
Not really. It's still December. Third week, though it was the second week when you submitted this. The Orioles are trying, but it takes two to tango. Also, to carry a sofa upstairs. Now, let's pivot to the next question.

Got anymore info on this Spring Breakout thing that baseball is doing next spring?
Yes. It's got me watching a doubleheader in Bradenton on March 14. Grapefruit League game versus the Pirates at 3:05 p.m., followed by the prospect game at 7:05 p.m. The schedule was released last Wednesday with dates and times.

Deviled eggs?
To give trick-or-treaters? Never. To serve as a pre-dinner snack on Christmas Day, as we plan to do at my house? Absolutely. Love them. And yet, I’m not a fan of hard boiled eggs. Must be the whipped yolk with mayo versus the dry yolk. And this is probably a good place to stop.

Christmas goose or ham?
Never had goose. Been pinched a few times on subways, but that doesn’t count. It happened over the summer. And this is definitely a good place to stop.