The Orioles have won three games in a row for the first time in 2025, which is cause for celebration.
You can break open the bubbly or watch me bust into the mailbag. One can lead to questionable behavior, the other is filled with questions that I attempt to answer in the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 orginal.
I don’t edit unless your grammar is as bad as the Cardinals’ infield defense yesterday. Also, my mailbag turns double plays and your mailbag turns left in a right-turn-only lane.
Here we go.
Was firing Brandon Hyde the right decision?
Well, that didn’t take long. How can we truly know? We aren’t armed with the exact reasoning beyond how the team has played below expectations since June 2024. We don’t really know who initiated it. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be David Rubenstein or Mike Elias. But does the front office and ownership think the 2025 season is salvageable and that’s why the firing came so quickly, or is it more about deciding that Hyde wasn’t going to be retained next season and there was no reason to wait? I’ll say that it’s unfair, but that’s typical. Life is unfair. Good people get let go on the reg. You can’t fire 26 players. Hyde didn’t lose the clubhouse. Not even close. He followed orders from above, consuming analytical data by the spoonful. He didn’t become a liability with his in-game decisions. His biggest sin, which ultimately cost him, was the failure to win. Period. That wasn’t an issue during the rebuild, but it became a job killer.
Any update on Albert Suárez?
Nothing. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said yesterday that Suárez was “going through the process,” which is the organization’s favorite word. Adley Rutschman is doing it after being drilled in the mask. Mansolino also said that Suárez is “on schedule for kind of what we were expecting.” They must have been expecting a really long absence. Meanwhile, I’d like an update on Andrew Suárez. Remember that guy?
When we send Adley Rutschman down to Triple-A for his reset, do we bring Creed Willems up? Rush Samuel Basallo? Or make the trade to get James McCann back?
McCann has a rolling opt-out and can leave the Braves organization for a better offer. No trade required. It’s too soon for Basallo. Willems is in Double-A. But let’s get back to the real reason for your post - the argument that Rutschman should be optioned because he isn’t hitting. That would be more of a shocker than the managerial change.
So you’re saying there’s a chance?
Anything is possible, just like conversational mailbags. However, I think Rutschman’s minor league days are behind him unless he’s on an injury rehab assignment. Lowering him in the order is one thing. Lowering him to Triple-A is quite another.
Why hasn't the pitching coach been fired?
They fired the manager.
Why hasn't the hitting coach been fired?
They fired the manager.
Why hasn’t …
Look, we could do this all day. The Orioles chose to dismiss Hyde. Other changes could be coming later this season and over the winter. One person isn’t deserving of every ounce of blame. But the manager often is the first to go in order to “shake things up.”
Does the game of baseball interfere too much with Tyler O'Neill's weight lifting routine?
Man, this is a tough crowd. O’Neill has gone on the injured list 16 times in his career, but he’s usually able to avoid extended stoppages. The body count is believed to be 13 different parts. You can’t blame the gym for his concussion or injuries to his right foot and left middle finger, which he should flash at you for submitting that question. But we can agree that his muscular build isn’t common in baseball and leaves him vulnerable to accusations that it’s responsible for every trip to the IL.
Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo: future Orioles first base/designated hitter combo or gone by the tradeline?
My crystal ball is covered in hair gel and buffalo sauce, but I don’t think they’ll be traded. Those are the guys you play every day after the deadline, after you make room by dealing veterans in your role as sellers. Those are the guys you’d consider trading if you’re buyers and trying to land that one big piece that puts you over the top. Run them out there every day and figure out, once and for all, exactly what you’ve got and whether they’re pieces in 2026.
Did anyone in the press ask Tony Mansolino why in the universe he chose to have Gregory Soto pitch to Rafael Devers in the game-losing at bat? If so, what did the manager say about that?
Let me go back to the story I wrote after Game 1, which detailed that decision and Mansolino’s response. Here it is: “We want him to throw his best pitch. I didn’t see what pitch it was, but you want Soto to throw his best pitch. You know you’ve got Refsnyder on deck and you have Narváez there. We were getting Kittredge up and you’ve got to go through the three-batter minimum. So we were getting Kittredge up to face Narváez there. But if you put him on right there, it gets messy and then you’ve got to go Soto against Refsnyder. So you’ve got a really good lefty that’s done it in the big leagues for a long time against, obviously, a really good hitter, but we’re gonna bet on our guy every time.”
You got any questions?
Yeah, why don’t players catch the ceremonial first pitch anymore?
Is this season possibly the biggest disappointment in Orioles history?
It seems to be trending that way except. Check back with me after the break. The high expectations that accompanied this season make it a worthy candidate. I’d also consider 1972, when the Orioles finished in third place after three straight appearances in the World Series. The 2017 season was a cruel tease with contention until September. The 2018 season was a dumpster fire and kicked off the teardown and rebuild.
Any chance Cal Ripken Jr. takes a more active role on the baseball side?
I wouldn’t completely dismiss it. He isn’t here to shake hands and kiss babies. But Ripken might be at the point in his life where he’s content to be part of the ownership group, offer input, assist with instruction at spring training and enjoy his free time. He is attending a lot more games these days. Saw him again yesterday in his front row seat.
What’s with Ramón Urías’ purple glove?
The company that Urías uses sent him gloves in a bunch of different colors. He liked the purple one and has worn it since the beginning of the season. There’s nothing more to it. Sorry. I thought about making up a better story.
Do you see the way Braxton Bragg is pitching that he makes it up to the Orioles in September from Norfolk?
Bragg has a 1.59 ERA in six games with Double-A Chesapeake and he’s struck out 43 in 28 1/3 innings. He allowed an unearned run in three games at High-A Aberdeen and struck out 18 in 16 1/3. Get him up now! Or at least put him on the organization’s Top 30 prospects list. He’s a glaring oversight. In a season like this, and with another wave of injuries hitting this club, Bragg could make his debut later this summer. And yes, he’d be coming from Norfolk. Four levels would be quite a feat, though.
How’s Steve Melewski? Are you guys mates and catch up?
I see Steve quite a bit at the ballpark. He comes around to gather interviews for his Substack and podcast. He’s doing good. Cranking out copy as usual. And still leading the league in striped polos.
Will they lose 100 games?
I didn’t think they’d lose 34 by Memorial Day. I didn’t think they’d fire the manager this month. I mocked people who didn’t think they’d make the playoffs. My credibility ranks with anyone who thinks Golden Corral is fine dining. But since you asked, no, the Orioles will not reach triple digits in losses. They’re playing better and will be getting injured players back. The only complication to my confidence is how deadline trades could strip away talent. I’m still saying fewer than 100.
Have you heard anything about Cooper Hummel opting out with the Yankees and possibly coming to Baltimore?
I’m giving you major props for asking this question right before the Orioles signed him. Well done. Unfortunately, I ran it in the mailbag after the Orioles designated him for assignment yesterday. Life comes at you fast.
What does "salvageable" suggest to you for the Orioles' 2025 season?
That they can make the playoffs. That’s how I use it. Others might say getting above .500, perhaps making a run at the postseason. Anything short of qualifying has to be deemed a bust, right? It won’t be as ugly, but it’s still gonna be a major downer.
Will Mike Elias be back next year?
That’s my expectation, but it isn’t based on any inside information. I think Elias makes some trades at the deadline, gets back some healthy players, immerses himself in the draft again, decides on a manager and tries to have a more impactful offseason.
Other than Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday, are there any untouchables besides Eliot Ness that could be traded?
They wouldn’t be traded if they’re untouchable. That’s the whole point of being untouchable. No one touches you. Sort of like me in high school. Adley Rutschman, Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg would seem to belong in the Henderson/Holliday grouping. Can’t touch that. Triple-A Norfolk catcher Samuel Basallo is the No. 1 prospect in the system and he’s a keeper.
Theo Epstein. Yes or no?
That’s former Orioles public relations intern Theo Epstein. To do what? OK, I know what you’re suggesting. He’s currently the senior adviser and part-owner of Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Red Sox and Liverpool FC of the English Premiere League, among other properties. He sounds busy.
In the upcoming movie, “The Greatest Season: How The Orioles Won the 2025 World Series,” what actor do you want to see playing you?
Ryan Reynolds. It’s a movie. People might believe that I was shirtless during the pregame media scrums.
Who are some trade candidates at the deadline if the Orioles don’t get back into the playoff chase?
Anyone who’s a pending free agent, which includes Cedric Mullins, Ryan O’Hearn, Zach Eflin, Tomoyuki Sugano, Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto. Maybe Gary Sánchez if he’s healthy and a team needs a catcher and right-handed bat. Andrew Kittredge has a $9 million team option that seems reasonable. Ryan Mountcastle is rumored every year, so why not? But this isn’t another teardown. The Orioles must consider which players could be useful to them.
Alice Sweet from Norfolk has a question. What’s the best time to put in a tomato plant?
Very few people will get that reference. I’m not helping. Look it up. Teach a man (and woman) to fish. And this is probably a good place to stop.
Any truth to the rumor that School of Roch will be opening a second class section exclusively devoted to political talk?
This is definitely a good place to stop.