masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOne day into a new year and I already failed at my first resolution to work the player to be named later from the Chad Bradford trade into every single conversation.
No one said it would be easy.
Clearing out my mailbag is a simpler task with more frequent readings. I needed another hobby during the lockout.
Questions and answers are edited for … nothing. Though I worry a little about the brevity police kicking down my door.
Also, my mailbag sneaks into your house and shoves your Christmas…

One day into a new year and I already failed at my first resolution to work the player to be named later from the Chad Bradford trade into every single conversation.

No one said it would be easy.

Clearing out my mailbag is a simpler task with more frequent readings. I needed another hobby during the lockout.

Questions and answers are edited for … nothing. Though I worry a little about the brevity police kicking down my door.

Also, my mailbag sneaks into your house and shoves your Christmas tree up your chimney.

I saw some discussion about Tyler Wells and whether he stays or heads to Triple-A in the last mailbag. I’m not sure there’s enough pitching depth to even consider that move. But what are the odds he is considered a rotation candidate?
I wouldn’t rule out an eventual return to starting, but the Tommy John surgery, two missed seasons and jump from Double-A to the majors pretty much sealed his bullpen role. And then he began to excel in it. So much that I don’t think the organization is open to removing him from the bullpen. It also needs high-leverage relievers who can be trusted to hold leads. But maybe as he’s built up, he becomes a starter candidate further down the road.

Is Mike Baumann a starter or reliever?
Both. Just not at the same time. The Orioles probably want to keep developing him as a starter, but they also recognize that his major league future might be in the bullpen. Some scouts think his arm plays as a backend-type guy. It’s much easier for a team to convert a starter to relief than the other way around. I’m assuming that he’s definitely a starter if optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He’ll compete for a rotation spot with the Orioles in spring training. Then it’s decision time.

Thumbnail image for Westburg-Swings-White-Bowie-Playoffs-Sidebar.jpgWill Jordan Westburg be called up in 2022?
Westburg played at three levels in 2021 and accumulated 130 plate appearances with Double-A Bowie. Reaching that level makes him a candidate for the majors this summer if he’s mashing. But it would be a year ahead of schedule, at least per MLBPipeline.com’s projection. So maybe.

Will the O’s spend a decent sum this year for a free agent starting pitcher? Jordan Lyles doesn’t count.
A rebuilding club with a reduced payroll shelling out $7 million for a starting pitcher would seem to count, but I don’t make the rules. I’d be surprised if they exceeded that total for anybody after the lockout ends, but let me add that I didn’t think they’d go $7 mil. Or anywhere close to it. They’re full of surprises.

What’s your early Most Valuable Oriole prediction for 2022?
You mean “super early.” I’d go with Ryan Mountcastle. And I’m not making this prediction from a limb. I know he’s going to be a popular choice.

Switching to college football, do you have a favorite bowl game?
I’m partial to the Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate UPGRADE Limited Numbered Signature Edition Bowl. I think it used to be the Tangerine Bowl, but I could be wrong.

So you’re not a fan of corporate names on bowl games?
Or .500 teams playing in them. But go Terps!

You can’t have it both ways.
That’s not a question.

Any idea where the Orioles will assign Heston Kjerstad to begin the 2022 season?
They don’t know, which limits my ability to pass along their decision. He has to prove that he’s full-go for minor league spring training and gets eyes on him. Under normal circumstances, which eliminates the myocarditis diagnosis in 2020, he probably would have played in a handful of games in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League and moved up to Single-A Delmarva. Maybe that’s still his path, especially with so much time lost. Or he just goes directly to the Shorebirds. I don’t see a debut in high Single-A, but I’m making an assumption here.

What other prospect are you eager to see who is returning from illness or injury?
Pitcher Carter Baumler, a fifth-round pick in 2020 who underwent Tommy John surgery after signing for $1.5 million. He didn’t pitch in 2021, but was cleared to work out in the fall instructional camp and made it through without any setbacks. “I’m pretty much a full-go getting ready for 2022,” he said in a November Zoom call. Baumler’s fastball was touching the mid-90s at the 2020 camp before his elbow injury. He’s a top 30 prospect in the system and he’s only 19. Time to get this party started.

Do you think Mike Elias will sign a veteran catcher to back up Rutschy?
We’re going with that nickname for Adley Rutschman? OK. I do think a veteran catcher is added, that they’re not done with the position after signing Jacob Nottingham and Anthony Bemboom to minor league deals.

How likely is it that Buck Britton is the Orioles’ manager in 2024?
We’ve pushed it back from 2023? Britton would be a leading candidate if the Orioles decide to make a change, unless one of the requirements is major league managing experience. And I stress the “if” part. Brandon Hyde deserves to guide this team further through the rebuild process.

Any new year’s resolutions for ’22?
To not do 22 stupid things before noon.

How’s that going?
The year’s still young.

What are Major League Baseball’s plans for the baseball this coming season? Are they going to make it stickier, like the Japanese balls?
I’ll resist making a tacky joke. I haven’t heard anything about changing the texture or whatever, though they absolutely should do it. Stop using mud, which can make the ball slicker. A sticky coating like the ones in Japan makes a lot more sense, which means it probably won’t happen. Here’s a thought: Just stick to one baseball, so to speak, and that includes the majors and minors, and don’t juice it.

Which non-event was most frustrating to cover as a reporter: The ’94 strike, the COVID pause in ’20 or this offseason?
I was covering the local colleges in 1994, so that one is eliminated. The frustration with the other two lies in the unknown. I’m not comfortable if unable to plan ahead. We couldn’t be sure how long the sport would pause in 2020 and we don’t know whether a new collective bargaining agreement will be in place before report dates. So it’s pretty much the same for me. Just at different times. Try to come up with daily stories and keep wondering if the world will allow us to get back to normal, whatever that is. It’s been so long, I’ve forgotten.

Will the Orioles contact Kyle Seager about a possible comeback?
I’d certain endorse him for third base, but it seems like his mind is made up. Just like a scenario that the Orioles will reach out to him.

Any updates on the new Dominican Republic facility? Pics? Live cam?
No photos, no video. The Orioles broke ground on Oct. 6. We were told back in May that, once construction began, it would last 12-16 months.

Will the Orioles ever adjust the outfield dimensions of Camden Yards to help its pitching?
You mean “their” pitching. Baltimore is an “it.” But I digress, and probably annoy. Never say never, but I haven’t heard anything to suggest that it’s under consideration.

What’s your streak now for filing stories on this site?
I’m up to 4,903 days in a row, according to Rusty. And unlike Clark Griswold’s son, who accused him of killing a dog and their Aunt Edna, this Rusty can prove that. (If you don’t get the reference, we can’t be friends anymore.) I’ll state again that it’s not about “the streak.” It just sort of materialized. And it may be drawing to a close with a scheduled honeymoon later this month. Please forgive me.

You’ll be dead to us.
Then you’ll really be like family to me.