We’re a day away from Thanksgiving gluttony and I’ve got a mailbag that’s already stuffed.
You ask, I answer and we have the latest sequel to the beloved 2009 original. That’s right, 2009. You can look it up if you navigate the internet better than me.
The only editing here is to remove the Jell-O salad that your crazy aunt insisted on bringing again.
Also, my mailbag carves the turkey at the head of the table and your mailbag sit at the kids' table.
Who is more likely to be traded, Ryan Mountcastle or Coby Mayo? And no “hold the Mayo” jokes.
I’m better than that. Mountcastle is a trade candidate because of a projected salary around $8 million, past health issues, a decline in production, and a market that exists for him. Mayo would be a big prospect piece in a potential deal. Both are possibilities, but if I have to rank them I’d say Mountcastle is more likely to go as a pending free agent. The reason why Mayo enters the conversation is because the Orioles would have to dip into that prospect pool in order to trade for an ace. He used to be untouchable but that might not be the case anymore. I’m not saying that he’s being shopped, just that there might be more of a willingness to listen.
Is this front office skeptical on Mayo since they plan on keeping Mountcastle next year?
The Orioles can’t be positive that Mayo has left the minor leagues behind, but they also aren’t guaranteed to keep Mountcastle. They just didn’t non-tender him. He could be traded. He could break camp with Mayo, who hit well in September. Mike Elias pointed out how it’s possible for them to co-exist. Mayo could be dealt. It’s only November. But I think this is more about not letting Mountcastle stroll into free agency. Better to hold onto him at this point and see what develops.
What if Cade Povich is still with the Orioles on Feb. 11 and has a good spring training? Will there be room for him in the rotation? Could he start the season in the O’s bullpen? Will he be rolling with the Tides in Norfolk?
What about Feb. 10 or 12? You listed some of the possibilities. We’re assuming that at least one starter will join the rotation and it could be two. We know that Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Tyler Wells and Dean Kremer are back. Povich might get lost in the crowd, which would leave the Orioles to decide whether to make him a reliever or let him keep developing as a starter with Triple-A Norfolk. Of course, Povich could dominate hitters in the Grapefruit League and really complicate matters. That’s exactly what the Orioles want him to do.
If you could invite any three people (living or not) to your Thanksgiving dinner, who would they be?
Gordon Ramsay to prepare the meal, and whoever is available to clean up afterward. No, I can do better than that. My father and any two of his friends.
Do you see Kade Strowd as being a closer?
I don’t see Strowd having to close unless other relievers are unavailable that night. He has 11 career saves in the minors but the Orioles intend to bring in a closer while waiting for Félix Bautista to return from shoulder surgery. Strowd could be an option if he makes the team, but the Orioles aren’t expected to use him in a specialist type of role. They’d like for him to be able to cover an inning or two in the middle or as one of their setup guys.
Who's your favorite Orioles head athletic trainer among the following (I do not recall anyone else): 1968–1987 Ralph Salvon; 1988–2017 Richie Bancells; 2018–2024 Brian Ebel; 2025–present Scott Barringer?
I never knew Salvon, but I watched him waddle onto the field a lot as a kid. He’d use that numbing spray whenever a player was hit by a pitch. Whatever happened to that stuff? Anyway, Barringer is new and I haven’t really spoken to him beyond an introduction in spring training. I go way, way back with Bancells and Ebel. Great guys. It’s a tie.
Stuffing in the turkey or baked in a pan?
I’ve had and enjoyed both versions. Inside the bird is considered a risk due to the threat of foodborne illness, and yet, we’ve someone survived it. Just like drinking out of a garden hose. But it’s better to stuff the turkey with vegetables and herbs to flavor the meat. Cook the stuffing separately. And don’t get all crazy with it. Just a good, basic bread stuffing with chicken broth, celery and seasonings. And the bread’s gotta be stale. You let one nut or piece of fruit touch it and you’ll get kicked out of the house.
Did you speak with your buddy Brady Anderson (and your biceps twin) and congratulate him on becoming the hitting coach for the Angels? Also, did the Orioles contact or consider him for the same position?
Yes and no. I reached out to Anderson at first to confirm his hiring. But yes, also to congratulate him. I saw the social media posts about him becoming the Angels’ hitting coach and did a Google search to find out if there was another Brady Anderson. I had no idea that he was a candidate. Before anyone asks, I won’t share my favorite Anderson stories at this time, but one of them involves Belgian model Ingrid Vandebosch – who later married retired NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon. Look her up.
If the Orioles need a utility player with major league experience, why not just keep Jorge Mateo?
I could list $5.5 million reasons, the amount he’d be paid if the Orioles exercised his option. They love his speed. Some might say it borders on infatuation. But he’s been hurt a lot and hasn’t hit. He’s slashing .221/.266/.363 in six major league seasons. Gunnar Henderson owns the shortstop position. Mateo can back up, get some starts at second base and pinch-run, but he’d have to do it at a much lower cost.
Do you think adding a star outfielder and/or a star pitcher would boost Birdland Membership sales?
Couldn’t hurt. This isn’t my department, but did trading for Corbin Burnes increase sales? I’d think so. You know what else increases attendance? Winning baseball games. Just do that.
Top five favorite Thanksgiving foods.
That isn’t a question, but let’s just plow through it. Whey protein shakes, creatine gummies … OK, no. Stuffing, my mother or sister’s sour cream mashed potatoes, turkey before it dries out, canned cranberry sauce (shut up), and a good green bean casserole. But gotta have the homemade rolls, too. My sister makes those, but also a sweet potato casserole and her own cranberry sauce that everyone else raves about and I won’t touch. My mother stuffs celery with cream cheese and sprinkles paprika. She’s bringing it all the way from Ocean Pines even though it’s simple to make, because I’m spoiled.
When a player gets traded, who hears the news first, the player or his agent?
I don’t think there’s a firm rule or order on this one. I’ve heard from agents who found out from the team and I’ve heard from players who got the call from an executive, though he might have talked to the agent first. I feel like the team always talks to the player, whatever the order. Like Taylor Ward received a call from the Angels’ GM. He didn’t find out from his rep. Gotta be honest here, I’ve never thought about it until now.
What's the market looking like for some former Orioles like Cedric Mullins, Ryan O’Hearn and Jorge Mateo?
A heck of a lot better for O’Hearn, who should land a multi-year deal. Former MLB executive Jim Bowden projected two years, $24 million. Mullins is probably looking at one year with a chance to improve his stock and re-enter free agency. He hit .182/.284/.281 in 42 games with the Mets after the Orioles traded him at the deadline. That hurts his value, but his past success as an All-Star and 30-30 man, speed and defense in center – if you ignore the data – will attract some interest. Mateo won’t come close to the $5.5 million option that the Orioles declined. A minor league deal? Perhaps. Or a much cheaper major league contract with incentives from a team attracted to his speed and versatility for utility purposes.
Who is going to be the lead radio broadcaster? And don’t say “your mom!”
I’d never! I thought it, but I’d never! The club hasn’t announced its lineup of broadcasters but the assumption is that Ben Wagner is lead radio and backup lead on MASN. No one can replace Chuck Thompson, and I’ve told Ben not to change “Ain’t the Beer Cold?” to “Ain’t the Beer exhibiting a nice hoppy character and aroma that enhances its appearance and drinkability?” I’m hoping that he’ll take my advice.
Seriously?
….
I understand David Rubenstein has plenty of other interests, but do you get any indication that he may be more hands-on than exposed?
I’m more inclined to say less. He has other interests, you know? I’m not suggesting that he’s detached or uncaring, just that he seems far less likely to “meddle” than others in franchise history. He’s trusting his people. And he’s got Michael Arougheti from the ownership group to also oversee the operation.
What led to Elias changing course as far as hiring a new GM after the season? Once news broke of his promotion, the original plan was to hire a replacement, but they obviously changed their minds.
A replacement is expected to be hired, but not as quickly as maybe assumed. It might have happened more quickly if a manager and coaching staff already were in place. The urgency for a GM didn’t match the need to fill those vacancies. Perhaps it gets done over the summer.
It’s early, but who is your breakout candidate for 2026?
Way early, but I'll play along. How about Jordan Westburg? He hasn't put together a full season due to injuries. I'll gamble - so to speak - that he stays on the active roster, stays in the lineup and shows that he's one of the best hitters on the club. I'll even say that he makes the All-Star team without being an injury replacement. How's that for a prediction?
Why did Elias ever let Babe Ruth leave Baltimore?
This is probably a good place to stop.
What's your most "I'm too old for this" moment you've had recently?
Every time I’m forced to police the political discussions here and have to remove the offenders for certain periods of time. Or watch “K-Pop Demon Hunters.” I should make my granddaughter watch “The Deer Hunter” as a tradeoff. And this is definitely a good place to stop.