Because You Asked - Revenge of the Fallen

A week has passed since the Orioles made their last roster move, claiming outfielder/infielder Weston Wilson on waivers from the Phillies. In less than three weeks, the full squad will have reported to spring training in Sarasota.

Perhaps the Orioles will have found another starting pitcher and reliever. They could do a little more work on the position side, too.

Let’s dig into both sides of the mailbag while we wait.

You ask, I try to answer, and we have the latest sequel to the beloved original. And a reminder that my mailbag owns a snowblower and your mailbag tries to clear the driveway with table salt and a spatula.

Do you think the Orioles bullpen is good enough to not be a problem? Ryan Helsley, Andrew Kittredge, Keegan Akin and Tyler Wells have track records of success. Dietrich Enns, Yennier Cano, Rico Garcia, Colin Selby, Kade Strowd and Grant Wolfram seem like the most likely pool for the other four spots. Anthony Nunez may be a wild card. Cade Povich, Chayce McDermott and Brandon Young could be converts. Seems thin. What do you think?
I think you should be gassed after asking such a long question. Is this your attempt at cardio? Anyway, I think the Orioles should and will add at least one more high-leverage reliever, ideally a left-hander to go with Akin and Enns. Would they consider a reunion with Danny Coulombe or Cionel Pérez? The latter worked out for about 20 teams in Tampa and I talked to a scout from another American League team who recommended him. The stuff looked good, including a 98 mph fastball. But the Orioles soured on him, and for good reason. They may not be interested in 2.0. I think Helsley, Kittredge, Akin and Wells are locks, and that’s assuming the rotation doesn’t have room for Wells. I expect Enns to join them, and Cano probably will, but he must earn a spot. He has minor league options, and a putrid spring could cost him a roster spot. You left out Albert Suárez. He’s in my mock bullpen. After that, it could be a free-for-all. Another bullpen signing late in the offseason changes the equation. The unit looks pretty good but could be better.

Will the Orioles claim George Soriano back from the Atlanta Braves, who claimed him from the Orioles, thus completing the circle of life?
I’m a fan of baseball’s circle of life. Has anyone seen Lewin Díaz? I wouldn’t be shocked if Soriano came back because it’s one of the Orioles’ patented moves. Then, they could DFA him again after signing another reliever. Hakuna Matata.

Did you start the blog and comment section or was it something you were assigned?
MASN already had a website before my arrival in 2008. Steve Melewski was on staff, and the site added School of Roch to form one of the best duos since Martin and Lewis. Or Peaches and Herb. Perhaps we’ll be reunited one day. So technically, I didn’t start the blog. It was created for me. I also didn’t start the fire. It was always burning, since the world's been turning.  

How will Coby Mayo handle a demotion to Triple-A after spring training if Ryan Mountcastle is still in the Orioles organization?
Mayo and Mountcastle can co-exist if the Orioles don’t carry a utility infielder. Otherwise, optioning Mayo is one solution, keeping him in the organization until a spot opens. I’m guessing that he’d choose his words carefully this time, but of course, the disappointment would be palpable. He has nothing to prove in Triple-A unless it’s learning to play the outfield and continuing to work on his defense at the infield corners. That’s a tough sell. How this plays out is one of the more interesting storylines.  

Do you think we are OK with relying on Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers to lead the rotation where we may be OK if we sign Chris Bassitt or Zack Littell instead of Framber Valdez? I am not very pleased with how Framber is conducting his negotiations with only two weeks to spring training.
The industry assumption is that Valdez is holding firm on a specific length of contract, but eventually could settle for fewer years with a higher annual average value. That would play right into the Orioles’ hands. The club seems prepared to pivot, which explains their interest in Justin Verlander and would indicate that they’re fine with Bradish and Rogers atop the rotation. But they’re still working on a much more impactful move. Valdez or Zac Gallen remain in play.

Can we get a Proof of Life on Framber Valdez?
He knocked on my door yesterday and offered to shovel my driveway and sidewalk for $180 million.

Does Albie subscribe to the alteration of lefties and righties in the lineup? Does Albie appreciate bunting?
He would appreciate if you spelled his nickname “Alby.” We’re going to learn a lot more about him in spring training and early in the regular season, and that includes his lineup structuring and usage of the bunt. I can see him endorsing a small ball approach in certain situations. And he’ll probably try to avoid stacking too many right-handers or left-handers in a row.

How many years did Alby sign for?
The Orioles don’t reveal contract terms for their managers or front office executives. We’ve had to work on assumptions, like so-and-so must have received an extension because he’s still here. 

Do you think the Orioles are in on Zac Gallen, as well as Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander?
Yes. Valdez seems to be the top choice, but Gallen would be a nice consolation if you believe that he can bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season. The Orioles haven’t moved away from him.  

What's your over/under for number of catchers used in 2026?
At least two. OK, I’ll give you a little more effort. Let’s go with four. There’s always the possibility of an injury to Adley Rutschman or Samuel Basallo. And a taxi squad catcher might get an emergency call for a day if a player goes on the injured list shortly before first pitch. I’ll venture out on a limb and say the club won’t break the franchise record of seven from last season.

Is it in the Orioles’ plans to platoon Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo at DH to start the season?
Do not use that word around Alby! Answers to this question and many others will become available after everyone reports to camp, but I don’t anticipate a straight platoon of any two players in that role. Ryan Mountcastle remains on the roster. Tyler O’Neill will be used at DH in an attempt to keep him healthy. Adley Rutschman could DH while Basallo catches. Pete Alonso could DH on occasion to freshen him up but also keep his bat in the lineup.

Hooverball asked last night the starting dates for many of us when we first joined SOR. When was the starting date of the SOR site and how soon afterwards did you begin the comment part of it?
My first day was Aug. 1, 2008, which Amber Theoharis announced live on MASN the previous day during a broadcast from Yankee Stadium. The comment section opened at the same time. The first one was probably political.

Who's got the best winter beard going? Looks like Westy is in the running.
Unfortunately, the media didn’t get to see that many players at the Birdland Caravan. Jordan Westburg definitely ramped up his beard game, but he also didn’t have much competition. I miss the winters when Nick Markakis was unrecognizable at FanFest.

How do you see the Rutschman/Basallo catching split going? Barring injury, 112/50?
Rutschman started 104 games in 2023 and 99 in 2024. We’ll toss out 2025 (66) because he went on the injured list twice. I think you might be a little light on Basallo, especially with fewer opportunities to play first base.

How many times did Pete Alonso say he was excited when talking to you? Seems like a lot.
It was a lot, and not because he was talking to me. He’s pumped for the team, the city and the season. If the power goes out at Camden Yards, they can use Alonso as a generator.

Does Basallo’s contract guarantee him a spot on the Opening Day roster? What if he has a bad spring or shows up to camp not in the best shape of his life? He’s still only 21, so is it possible they send him down for continued work/development in Triple-A? In how many different ways can I ask you the same question?
Three down, at least a dozen to go. His contract doesn’t guarantee anything besides years and money. In theory, he could be optioned, but it wouldn’t be due to his conditioning. We saw him at the Birdland Caravan. His development is where it needs to be or the Orioles wouldn’t have promoted him in August, and they intend to keep the development going in the majors. It's more of a thing nowadays, as opposed to when we'd hear that "the majors aren't for developing players." I don’t know how many different ways I can answer this. He isn’t guaranteed a roster spot but something unforeseen would need to happen in order for him to be optioned.

Who in recent memory would be an optimistic comp for Adley Rutschman in 2026. In other words, a once-feared hitter whose production fell off dramatically for a season and a half or thereabouts and who then came roaring back?
Interesting question. I shared it with Dan Connolly, figuring that he’d enjoy the challenge. We agreed on Cody Bellinger. While it isn’t a perfect comparison, he was the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2019, struggled for three seasons – Connolly used a specific word that isn’t allowed here – and rebounded in a big way. He was Baseball America’s No. 7 prospect heading into 2017. That isn’t Rutschman hype but it’s substantial. I’ll toss out the question for others to debate. Perhaps someone who had a shorter period of disappointing output.

Is there a player that you have to look up the correct spelling of his name every time you mention him in an article?
Only my own. Well, also Wehiwa Aloy anytime I reference the organization’s top prospects. And his middle name is Kapahulehua. Forget about it.

How does Wehiwa Aloy pronounce his name?
According to the Arkansas baseball site's profile page of Aloy, his name is pronounced: "veh-hee-vah uh-loy."

In the event that MASN is eventually absorbed into the New World Order of MLB OneMedia, what would be the most likely outcome:

A. You saddle up your horse and ride off into the sunset, as the members of SOR call out your name (ala “Shane”).

B. MLB gives you an “offer you can’t refuse”, and you become the host of your own “School of Roch Show” on MLB OneMedia (you have to admit it would be far better than many of MLB.TV’s current offerings).

C. You revive “School of Roch” as an independent journalist, and keep this merry band of misfits rolling along.

D. You write your memoirs, which becomes a NY Times bestseller. The movie rights are sold, with Ben Affleck playing you in the movie version.
Now I’m rooting for D just to work with Ben Affleck. He could shadow me for a few weeks. Trying to saddle a horse and falling off it seems like the worst choice. A podcast might be the next phase while easing into retirement. And this is probably a good place to stop.

Was there ever a time you tried to be sneaky and got caught?
Yeah, and her parents were so angry. And this is definitely a good place to stop.