masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe questions are piling up again. They’d thin out a little if my original answers stuck, but you know how this works. You know why the sequels exist.
How many times must we go over this?
You ask, I answer, someone else asks the same thing, I tweak or completely change my response to see if anyone notices or cares. It’s probably a desperate cry for attention. My therapist thinks so.
The only time there’s crying in baseball.
Here’s what I won’t do, and you have my word: Edit for length,…

The questions are piling up again. They’d thin out a little if my original answers stuck, but you know how this works. You know why the sequels exist.

How many times must we go over this?

You ask, I answer, someone else asks the same thing, I tweak or completely change my response to see if anyone notices or cares. It’s probably a desperate cry for attention. My therapist thinks so.

The only time there’s crying in baseball.

Here’s what I won’t do, and you have my word: Edit for length, clarity, style, brevity, bravery, bran or Branford, Conn.

One other thing. My mailbag gives your mailbag a swirly.

Was there any doubt that Cedric Mullins would make the All-Star team?
None. For starters – see what I did there? – every team has to be represented. You can only snub the guy so far. John Means was eliminated due to his shoulder injury. Trey Mancini was rewarded for his comeback with his invitation to the Home Run Derby. That left Mullins. And he’s more than deserving and beginning to get lots of national attention. An absolute slam dunk. Now it’s just a question of whether he replaces Mike Trout in the lineup, which seems like a strong possibility.

Is there anything that Mullins can’t do?
I asked the question on Twitter, not really seeking an answer and doing it more as a compliment, and a few people wrote back “throw.” OK, his arm isn’t one of his tools. He has improved its strength. Remember the runner he threw out at third base last summer on a fly ball to deep left field for the first leadoff double play in extra-innings history? My jaw hit the floor at the same time that the third baseman’s glove hit the automatic runner’s leg. But we’ve seen teams take the extra base on Mullins because they all have the same scouting report.

How do you feel about the Home Run Derby?
I wouldn’t spend 10 seconds watching unless an Oriole is participating and I’m required to write about it. Thanks, Trey! But seriously, I’m happy to do this assignment because Mancini is such a wonderful story and a great guy, and ESPN doesn’t get nearly enough attention. And Mancini is a winner, no matter how many balls he hits out. So it’s a fairly easy write.

In your esteemed opinion, where is DJ Stewart in three years, and what is he doing?
He’s playing baseball. It may not be with the Orioles, however, if the outfield plan really takes shape. Stewart keeps getting chances, but the Orioles have Mullins, Austin Hays and Ryan Mountcastle. They have Yusniel Diaz and Heston Kjerstad down the road – with Diaz much closer if he can stay healthy. Stewart’s first year of arbitration eligibility comes after the 2022 season. You can’t state with confidence that he’ll be on the club in 2024. But there are 29 other teams if he isn’t.

What happened to pitcher Konner Wade?
Wade cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

How’s TT Bowens doing at Delmarva?
Bowens was named Low-A East Player of the Week yesterday after going 12-for-22 (.545) with a .630 on-base percentage, 1.045 slugging, two doubles, three home runs, six RBIs and four walks. The Orioles signed him in June 2020 out Central Connecticut.

It seems like you’re using the mailbag to pass along a few notes.
That’s not a question.

When will Means return to the rotation?
After the break. Soon after the break. He’s supposed to make one start with Double-A Bowie and one with Norfolk and he’s done with his rehab assignment.

This doesn’t pertain to sports, but how do you prove your love to your girlfriend over Zoom?
Put a ring light on it.

Sorry I asked.
Same.

Why would the Orioles draft a catcher when they already have Adley Rutschman in the organization?
Because Louisville’s Henry Davis is viewed as a very advanced bat – let’s call him a Louisville slugger and see if it catches on, so to speak – and he can be moved to another position. He just might be too good to pass up. It’s sort of like taking a bunch of shortstops and moving them around, though the catchers obviously aren’t as athletic, so it isn’t exactly like that.

Since you brought up shortstops …
This feels more like a live chat than a mailbag.

Since you brought up shortstops, could the Orioles draft one with their first pick?
Absolutely. The high school shortstop field is loaded. There are mock drafts that place four of them in the top seven. Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar, Kahlil Watson, Brady House. Loaded like a baked potato. The sour cream of the crop.

Does Brandon Hyde have a nickname for anyone in the Orioles organization that isn’t just “ey” or “er” added to their name? If so, who and what is the nickname?
I feel like that’s just a baseball thing. Buck Showalter did it. Past managers did it. Baseball nicknames used to be the most creative in sports and now, not so much. I’m more concerned whether I’m spelling them correctly. Is it “Sevie” or “Sevy?” is it “Valdie” or “Valdy?” What about “Meansie” or “Meansy?” Has anyone used “Tater” yet for Dillon Tate? Because if not, I’m calling it.

Thumbnail image for Fry-Delivers-Gray-Sidebar.jpgWhich Oriole(s) are trade bait this month?
A very popular topic. Freddy Galvis withdrew after straining his quad. Anthony Santander, Maikel Franco and Matt Harvey hurt their value with poor first halves, and Santander has been hindered by a sprained ankle since April. Paul Fry was terrific in April and May, but he’s on the downturn. Tanner Scott always is going to intrigue teams based on his arm, which produces plus baseballs and sliders. He can be filthy, he can dominate. He also can totally lose command, which makes him less trustworthy. He’s a complex case because the Orioles feel the same about that arm and it’s really hard to surrender one of those. Would a team take Pedro Severino and the remainder of his contract, which began at $1.825 million? He’s got the look of a non-tender after the season if the Orioles don’t move him now. I don’t see Means or Mullins in any discussion unless a team absolutely overwhelms Mike Elias with an offer. Mancini is a really complicated and special case based on the obvious reasons. I’d hate to be tasked with making that decision.

Is Cole Sulser a trade chip?
You mean Sulsie or Sulsy? If a team wants Sulser and makes the right offer, and the Orioles won’t hold out for a top 10 prospect, he’s going to be dealt. If that qualifies as a trade chip, then the answer is “yes.”

Could you eat more hot dogs in 10 days than Joey Chestnut in 10 minutes?
Probably not. And I know where I’d spend the next 10 days if I tried.

When will the O’s allow beat reporters and broadcasters to travel with the team?
It’s a constantly evolving situation. Some might say “fluid.” The latest step was removing the mandatory mask restriction. We’re vaccinated, which is required to step onto the field for pregame access at home. Temperatures will be in the upper 90s this week. I wore a sweat mustache like I was impersonating Rollie Fingers. As for travel, honestly, I have no idea. Maybe later this summer, maybe 2022. Maybe I’m mopping up after Chestnut in 2023 and it doesn’t matter. I’m worried that I’m getting too comfortable covering road games from my couch. And how the Doritos dust is messing up my keyboard.

Do you think the organization is happy with Brandon Hyde and what are the chances he returns next year?
Yes and very, very good.

Why?
As I’ve stated and written and screamed into the darkness, the team never expected to come close to contention in the third year of a rebuild and coming off the pandemic 2020 season. This roster isn’t built to win. The fundamental breakdowns aren’t his fault. It’s not like they’ve gone ignored and suddenly players are put in situations they aren’t prepared for. Hit the cutoff man. Execute a rundown. Catch a ball after setting the target. Stuff that’s been drilled into them since spring training. Fingers get pointed in the wrong direction. And no one is quitting on him. He hasn’t “lost the clubhouse,” as they say. Quite the opposite. It would be a really weird mixed message to not bring him back, and the assumption is that he has an option for 2022, when the emphasis always has been on drafting and developing, building analytic and international scouting departments, funneling talent through the pipeline. Take this exact same roster and give it to Casey Stengel and let me know how many games it finishes above .500. And then explain to me how this is possible when he’s been dead for 46 years.

Does the front office have a secret plan to slow down unstoppable AZ?
After spending a few minutes trying to figure out which player had those initials, I realized you meant the Diamondbacks and the “race” for the first overall draft pick next year. No secret plan. This isn’t the hot dog race with ketchup and mustard sabotaging relish.

How do you feel about mailbags?
They’re pretty lazy. Let’s be honest. You’re basically asking fans to do your work. Easy filler for a day. And it’s a transparent “brag.” Like, hey, look how people follow me on social media and send questions. I’m important!

So, why are you doing another mailbag?
See above.

Why is Fernando Abad still in Norfolk?
He’d require a corresponding 40-man roster move, but that certainly hasn’t stopped other non-roster pitchers from being promoted. Abad has a 4.15 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 15 games. He also has struck out 16 batters in 13 innings. It’s been an uneven season, but I’ve heard good things about him from people with Norfolk. Maybe he’s been bypassed by the others because they’re viewed as more capable of providing length. He’s been one inning or less since his first appearance on May 4 that lasted 1 1/3. Abad could be more of a consideration if Fry or Scott is traded.

You’re pitching, coming out of the bullpen in the seventh inning, one-run lead. What’s your walkup song?
Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock”

Did the O’s decision-makers ever think about starting Dean Kremer, Keegan Akin, Jorge López, Bruce Zimmermann, etc., in the bullpen, or the use of “openers” to begin the season?
Using openers, or at least one, was discussed. So were a lot of other things. Akin didn’t break camp with the team because of command issues. Putting all of those pitchers in the bullpen would have made it a heck of a lot harder to build a rotation. There’s certainly an argument to be made for putting a starter or two in the ‘pen, as the Orioles used to do so many years ago, to gain major league experience and a better feel for the environment. But it also helps if the rotation is crowded. No one has accused the Orioles of a crowded rotation.

What’s the meaning of life?
Was never a fan of the cereal or the board game.

In the (seemingly likely) event of a work stoppage this coming year, would teams send players with options to the minors, such as the Rays with Wander Franco, to have them play while there is no Major League Baseball?
If a team doesn’t mind using up an option. But I don’t know whether there’s something that would prohibit it. If players might be able to refuse in order to support the union. I’ve honestly never thought about it and need more time.

Can were hire Paul Shaffer to write a snappy theme song for SOR Mailbag?
Shaffer co-wrote “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls, which has nothing to do with your question, but I think it’s a cool fun fact.

Do you think the Orioles should call up Adley Rutschman this year or let him complete his season in the minors?
Believe me, I see the logic and wisdom in both arguments. This is Rutschman’s first full professional season. He lost a year of development, however much he needs, in 2020, though he benefited from the summer and fall instructional camps. From a selfish standpoint, I’d like to be able to write about him and watch him play every night. And I know fans would be excited and, darn it, they deserve some excitement in their baseball lives. But is it best for Rutschman? And should we factor in the possibility of a work stoppage next spring?

Why can’t Jahmai Jones just work on his defense in the majors? A ground ball is a ground ball.

And a sigh is just a sigh. The easy answer is that players are supposed to work on that stuff down below. The majors aren’t the place to learn. You should know it when you arrive. I remember Showalter saying basically the same thing. The irony here, or whatever, is that Jones is being treated like a legit prospect, which is a compliment, but some people think he should be upset. He isn’t, judging by our conversation. But I do understand why so many fans would rather watch him play second base and, if wins aren’t coming anyway and the team isn’t being judged by them, what’s the harm? The Orioles want him to make it here and stay, rather than be forced to go back to Norfolk. But, yes, there are some apparent mixed messages when, say, Zac Lowther keeps getting the shuttle treatment. But needing a fresh arm is different.

Should Dave Trembley call up Luis Hernández to play shortstop for the injured Alex Cintrón?
Trembley doesn’t make those decisions. He isn’t the GM. Also, how old is this mailbag?