Some leftovers from the Adam Jones tailgate

Orioles reliever Donnie Hart arrived at yesterday morning's #StayHungry Purple Tailgate with a box of donuts in his hands. He was definitely in the right place.

Adam Jones walked up to Hart, reached inside the box and pulled out one of his favorite treats. Glazed are his preference. Nothing too fancy.

Jones and his sweet tooth were back in Baltimore because there's always more charitable work to be done. On this day, he managed to raise more than $125,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Baltimore and the Living Classrooms Foundation.

To the surprise of no one, Jones said he hasn't heard from the Orioles since he became a free agent. They aren't expected to make him an offer, though they don't have an incumbent in right field. The rebuild is likely to proceed without him.

The reality figures to hit some of the Orioles after they report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex for the first day of spring training. Someone else is going to be seated at the corner locker normally reserved for Jones.

"It will be really weird," said outfielder Trey Mancini, who returned to Baltimore again for yesterday's party.

"We talked about this throughout the year, but, yeah, it will be pretty strange to walk into the clubhouse and not see Adam at his locker in that left corner of the clubhouse. But that's the nature of the business. You play out your contract and you move on. But I'd love to have him back personally. We'll see what happens."

"It's definitely going to be a different feel," said outfielder Joey Rickard. "He is the Orioles. He has been for the last few years. It's something that he's put his stamp on and we'll never forget him here. Hopefully, he finds his way back."

Jones said he hasn't spoken with former manager Buck Showalter, who's returned to his Dallas home.

"I'm going to reach out to him," Jones said. "I think he's out there in Texas golfing, as he should be. Relaxing. He's got his grandkids, so he's enjoying himself. Let him ride off into the sunset and ...

"You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to send him a couple bottles of Silver Oak. Angela might like that."

Jones left the tailgate yesterday and headed over to M&T Bank Stadium, where he was honored by the Ravens with a video tribute in the fourth quarter and announcement of money raised that brought a standing ovation. Jones, seated with wife Audie and sons August and Axel, raised his cap in the air and smiled as his image appeared on the giant video screens.

Besides donuts and the assortment of foods made available yesterday by local vendors, players and fans at the tailgate were digesting the first big hires of the offseason and how Mike Elias and Sig Mejdal are going to influence the rebuild.

"It's very exciting to be part of the new regime and we'll see what direction the club's going to head," Mancini said. "(Elias) has done a great job with the Astros and I'm very excited for the future of the franchise."

I've noticed that players are careful to embrace the changes without hurting the people who no longer work for the organization.

"Just finding out about it, it's pretty cool," Rickard said. "It's cool to be a part of and hopefully we can get it going, move forward and win some games."

The Orioles will arrive in camp knowing that the baseball universe pegs them to finish in last place again. Rebuilds aren't built in a day. But they'll tune out the chatter and go about their business.

"Spring training, you always have one goal in mind and it's always to win ballgames and that won't change," Rickard said, "so we're pretty excited for it."