The Orioles must set their 40-man roster later today by protecting the Rule 5 eligible players they don’t want exposed in the draft.
Cross off another date on baseball’s fall and winter calendar. Up next is Friday night’s non-tender deadline.
The mailbag doesn’t need to be protected, though many outlets would love to claim it.
You ask, I try to answer, and we have the latest sequel to the beloved early 2009 original. That's when it debuted, upon further review. A four-star review.
Also, my mailbag will never be exposed and your mailbag is left outside in the rain and cold.
Any recent minor league signings?
Dominican right-hander Jeisson Cabrera has reached agreement on a minor league contract, per MLB reporter Francys Romero. Cabrera, 27, signed with the Dodgers in 2017 and again in January 2025. He made 36 relief appearances with Double-A Tulsa this year and posted a 3.71 ERA with 32 walks, 54 strikeouts and two home runs surrendered in 43 2/3 innings. He has a 3.14 ERA in 118 minor league games and has averaged 5.3 walks, 11.5 strikeouts and 0.5 home runs per nine innings.
Any word on John Mabry? Is he still with the team?
No word yet on whether Mabry is returning next year. He was hired in late May as senior advisor. The Orioles haven’t announced their staff under new manager Craig Albernaz. Both assistant hitting coaches are gone and no replacements have been reported.
Is Buck Britton staying as third base coach?
I wrote a while back that he was expected to stay and to coach third base. Since then, a source confirmed his return and the Orioles hired Miguel Cairo as major league infield coach. There isn’t anywhere else to put Britton except third base. That’s where you’ll find him.
How will the uncertainty of the new CBA for 2027 affect long-term signings this offseason? Any word on that?
I can’t speak for the entire industry, but I asked Mike Elias about any possible impact on his offseason business. His response: “We try not to think about it and remain hopeful. I think recent history has shown that we’ve figured out ways to have a lot of continuity, so that’s not something that we’re gonna be putting too many eggs in that basket as we assess opportunities.”
Who is the next Orioles farmhand to play in a game that has no major league at-bat or inning pitched heading into 2026?
Elias just put reliever Anthony Nunez on the 40-man roster to protect him in the Rule 5 draft and he’s my pick. I’ll predict that he breaks camp with the team. If not, he could be an early call-up. There’s always an injury to create room.
Have you had any prior interactions with the coaching new hires: interviews, funny anecdotes, awkward moments, traffic arguments exiting Camden Yards, etc.?
Unfortunately, no. I guess Miguel Cairo would have been my best shot, since he played 17 years in the majors and was Nationals bench coach and interim manager. But he has no ties to the Orioles and I had no reason to talk to him. I hadn’t heard of Joe Singley, the Marlins’ catching coach. I accidentally looked up information on his father, also Joe Singley, who died at age 55 in 2019. I also never spoke to Dustin Lind, Jason Bourgeois or Donnie Ecker. I did, however, learn how to pronounce “BOOSH-wah.”
Is Grayson going to compete for a rotation spot? Between Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease and Ranger Suárez, who would you pick if you could choose only one?
A two-parter! Yes, Rodriguez will compete for a spot in the rotation. He could move to the bullpen if there isn’t room and the Orioles need another reliever, and if they want to hold down his innings. I’d take any of those three starters, though Cease didn’t put up his usual numbers in 2023 and 2025. Guess I lean a little more toward Suárez and Valdez.
Do you get to use your travel points personally or does MASN require you to use them for work travel?
MASN reimburses for travel, so there’s no reason to use points. That’s how jobs work. Your employer pays and compensates you. My daughter uses my airline and hotel points a lot more than me. Maybe if I’d actually take a vacation.
Have you heard any chatter about players gambling or players getting threats from gamblers?
I’ve only heard of players taking abuse on social media because their poor performances probably ruined some bets. That’s the world we live in now. Sports encourage the gambling and it can get messy. However, let’s not pretend that players weren’t making prop bets or getting compensated until recently. Hopefully, most players are smart enough to know that the wagering advertisements aren’t aimed at them.
Do you think the O's closer in 2026 is currently in the organization or will he come from outside?
My expectation is a free agent signing, with a few other relievers in the mix to back up. The 2026 version of Craig Kimbrel, with the hope that he can put together two good halves. Félix Bautista has a chance to return near the end of the regular season, per Mike Elias, but it would be asking a lot to hand him the keys and slim late-inning leads.
Which do you enjoy converting the most, the Winter Meetings or spring training?
I’ll assume that you meant “covering.” Otherwise, I’d happily convert the Winter Meetings into a one-day virtual event. That should answer your question. Spring training is its own grind, lasting about six weeks with early-morning wake-ups most days, and especially after the games start. This isn’t a vacation. But it’s Sarasota and comes with the obvious perks. The Winter Meetings are a lot of work and stress with little in return. Pace the lobby for hours just to return with a Rule 5 story, after the traditional first-day minor league acquisition. The rumor chasing can blow out the strongest hamstrings. And the Scott Boras scrum is a real pain, with media staking out the rumored location and hanging on his every rehearsed word. Anyone in the back has no chance of hearing a word he says. At least this year’s meetings are in Orlando. It was snowing sideways the year they held it in Indianapolis.
When will we start seeing big free agent names go off the board? When will it start getting late early for the Orioles if they haven't signed anybody?
At or near the Winter Meetings is the usual guess for free agent movement. That first big domino has to fall. But Scott Boras clients can linger on the market. We’ve seen many deals struck by Boras as spring training nears. The second question is harder because different people have different definitions of “late.” Is January “late” if many of the top names remain on the board? Opening Day would be “late.”
If you were the Orioles’ GM and wanted to improve the outfield mix with a solid power bat, who would you realistically pursue. And don’t say “your mom.”
I’d never! What’s realistic to you? I can only do this if you give me an unlimited budget. Kyle Tucker would be first, but OK, this team needs a top starter and is rebuilding the bullpen, so let’s spread the money a little bit. Cody Bellinger would be a huge acquisition. Kyle Schwarber is more DH than outfielder. So, Bellinger.
I think I saw where John Means is on the free agent market. If that is true, why not bring him back to the O's? Until he was injured, he was a good pitcher. If even for the bullpen. Just a thought.
The Guardians declined his $6 million option but could try to re-sign him. The Orioles want to improve their pitching depth and Means would qualify at the right price. Do I think it will happen? No. Do I wish it would? Yes. Anyone on the beat who’s covered Means would like another opportunity to do it. And we’ve obviously seen how good he is when healthy.
Cranberry sauce - canned or fresh?
It must wiggle and jiggle out of a can. My sister makes fresh for the holidays but also brings a few cans to appease me. I remind her that I can find it in my grocery aisle.
Will the Orioles protect anyone in the Rule 5 draft today?
They don’t have any top 30 prospects who are eligible, as I wrote again over the weekend. It isn’t a requirement, of course. They put reliever Anthony Nunez on the 40-man roster earlier this month. MLB.com posted the toughest decisions for each organization and chose catcher/first baseman Creed Willems for the Orioles, though they aren’t hurting at those positions. I’ll predict that they don’t add anyone. Just a guess and nothing more. But the good news is I’ll spend all day waiting to find out. Do not be jealous.
Do you have the time to listen to me whine about nothing and everything all at once?
No. I just told you that I’m busy today with the Rule 5 stuff. This is probably a good place to stop. But I hope you have a nice Green Day.
Do you ever see a free agent deal going six … or seven years for the O's?
One of these days. I see what you did there. This is definitely a good place to stop.