The Orioles are back on the road and my mailbag is adamant about missing the Tampa portion of it. No Trop, no trip.

Let’s do some dumping and count how many questions are related to the trade deadline and whether the Orioles will buy or sell. That’s a popular one these days.

The answer isn’t as clear anymore.

You ask, I answer, and we have the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original. I was gonna edit for clarity, length and style, but decided against it. I edited that idea. Sorry to disappoint again. And that's what I said.

Also, you should know that my mailbag receives the most All-Star votes and your mailbag is confused by the ballot.

Are the Orioles going to trade Ryan O’Hearn?
O’Hearn isn’t going anywhere if the Orioles aren’t sellers. His bat and ability to play first base and the corner outfield are too important, especially with Ryan Mountcastle out for an extended stretch with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Pending free agents become trade chips for sellers, which looked like the Orioles’ designation a little while ago. And then they started winning and closing the gap in the Wild Card chase. Fortunately, it’s only June 17 and there’s plenty of time to choose a side. Let’s see where the Orioles stand after returning from New York. 

They lost last night.
This isn't a question. But yeah, I get it. Suddenly, it feels like the NFL, which I always warn against. Every loss seems devastating to playoff chances. And then they win and it's like, "They're back!"  

Is Ryan O’Hearn an All-Star?
He deserves it, and his chances of winning the vote at designated hitter improved with Rafael Devers heading over to the National League. The first ballot reveal has O’Hearn first with 353,029 votes. He leads Ben Rice (232,331) and Mike Tauchman (177,483). I say O’Hearn makes it as a starter or reserve. He’s going to Atlanta.

Any surprises from the early balloting?
Gunnar Henderson seventh among shortstops with 157,389 votes, a long way from leader Jacob Wilson with 562,696. I know he was hurt early and started slowly, but he’s rolling now and his popularity, his start last summer and his participation in the Home Run Derby figured to carry him. I expect a surge.

What record is needed for the Orioles to be buyers? Sellers?
Getting back to .500 makes it more likely that they don’t sell, but it’s really about the Wild Card race and whether there’s a realistic chance of overtaking the teams necessary to at least get that third spot. This isn’t 2022, when the Orioles were hovering around contention but still traded Trey Mancini and Jorge López because the odds didn’t favor them making the playoffs. It was a year too soon. They were considered World Series contenders this year and will push forward if they win at the necessary pace. It's a very tall order, but not impossible to scale.

If Coby Mayo continues to hit and play solid defense at first base, does that make Ryan Mountcastle expendable?
Trade speculation has followed Mountcastle for the past few seasons. I’m surprised that he didn’t strain his hamstring trying to stay ahead of it. Mountcastle is more likely be moved over the winter, in his final year of arbitration eligibility, if Mayo takes full advantage of this opportunity. First base appears to be the preferred position for him, which makes sense with Jordan Westburg at third base and Jackson Holliday at second. But there’s got to be a market for Mountcastle in order to swing a deal. A non-tender would be another option. Mountcastle is making $6.787 million this season. But let’s see what he does after he’s healthy.

I noticed Tony Mansolino is using openers, something we’ve rarely done before. Is this because Brandon Hyde refused or something John Mabry brought to the table?
Hyde used openers, just not twice in four days. There are some factors at work here, including the state of the bullpen Sunday. But also, an Angels’ lineup with seven right-handed hitters, which made Scott Blewett the opener and Cade Povich follow him. The Orioles have the usual data and group of analytical minds pouring over this stuff. They’d only do this with certain starters under certain circumstances.

The Orioles next few series against Rays, Yankees and Rangers will show if the turnaround is real. If we continue winning, will management be more likely to add an arm or a bat, knowing we have potentially Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish coming back later this season?
Yes. That’s what buyers do. They could behave in similar fashion to the 2024 deadline. I don’t think they’d hold back on adding a starter just because Bradish and Wells are returning. Wells could be in the bullpen. There isn’t a definite date for their returns and no guarantees that they’ll come out dealing. And injuries to Ryan Mountcastle and Tyler O’Neill could increase the desire for another bat.

What’s the deal with Cade Povich?
Timing is everything. I just completed my echocardiogram yesterday at my cardiologist’s office, walked to the elevator and received the news on Povich. My heart was strong enough to handle it. He has left hip inflammation and is on the 15-day injured list. Mansolino told the assembled media in sweltering Tampa that the club thinks it’s “minor and doesn’t expect him to be out “too long.” But that’s one way to make room for another starter. 

Trevor Rogers coming up?
Wednesday’s spot is TBA and Rogers would be working on five days’ rest if he’s recalled. Asked about Rogers yesterday, Mansolino told the media, “We definitely have a plan in place and we will share that when we are ready to.” My guess is no later than Wednesday.

Do you get the sense Mike Elias intends to conduct a manager search during the season, or will he wait for the larger pool of candidates in the offseason? We're six games back of the Wild Card with 92 left to play. Suddenly, it seems very surmountable. Would be a shame not to have a manager. No disrespect to Tony, but he hasn't been named manager yet.
OK, confession here. I did some editing. You had “GB” for “games back” and I didn’t want anyone to think you meant “Glen Burnie.” Anyway, I do get the sense that it’s Mansolino through the rest of the season and then the Orioles will round up outside candidates. The only reason to do it differently is if someone is available now whom the Orioles really like and could get scooped up by another team. But what are the chances of that happening? And hey, Mansolino could lead the Orioles to the playoffs and be voted Manager of the Year. Gotta keep him if that happens, right?

In an homage to Father’s Day, and the fact that I became a first time grandpa yesterday, what is your favorite memory of the combination of baseball and your daughter?
Congrats! There’s nothing like it. Trust me. I’m sure you’re already finding out. I’ve never met anyone, ever, who’s anti-grandparent. To answer your question, one of my favorites happened in April when the Orioles let employees bring their kids and grandkids to work. My daughter was allowed to come into the press box and on the field before heading to my club seats. The best memory, however, is when she was a toddler and my ex-wife flew down to Fort Lauderdale for spring training. They came into the dugout during a workout and Brady Anderson walked over to them. My daughter turned away because she was so shy, and Brady reached out and rubbed her back. I told that story to her elementary school class on "Career Day," doing a little name dropping, and her teacher said, “Oh Addison, what were you thinking.” She said, “What can I tell you? I was young and stupid.”

When will a pitcher be selected in the draft?
In 2025.

If you were the Orioles’ GM, what roster changes (trades, free agent signings) would you strive to make?
I’d take another swing at a No. 1 starter, and especially with Zach Eflin and Tomoyuki Sugano pending free agents and Grayson Rodriguez dealing with another injury. Imagine having an ace in the Corbin Burnes mold next season, followed by Bradish and Rodriguez. That’s a really big three. So team control beyond 2025 would be preferred. It might have to be done via trade. The Orioles proved that they’re capable by getting Burnes, but they’ve got to hold onto catcher Samuel Basallo and he’s the prospect every team would demand. I didn’t say this was going to be easy.

Do you think Samuel Basallo will be called when the active roster expands or perhaps sooner?
One or the other. I think he debuts later this summer. They could wait until September when it’s easier to fit him onto the roster or decide that they need his bat sooner while trying to catch teams ahead of them in the Wild Card hunt. He might force their hand. He doesn’t have to be their backup catcher. He also plays first base and can be used as designated hitter. I’m curious about Gary Sánchez and whether he makes it through the season with the Orioles or they try moving him later to open a spot for Basallo. Again, it goes back to where they are in the standings. If they’re contending and he’s hitting like he did over the weekend, it doesn’t make much sense to part with him.

Baseball style crab cake, or one more flattened? Does that qualify as baseball related?
The judges will accept it. I grew up on my mom’s “flattened” crab cakes and I rarely order one in a restaurant because hers are elite. They aren’t formed like a ball, but they also aren’t smashed like a burger patty.  

Are you hearing any rumors about extending expiring contracts? O'Hearn, Mullins, Laureano, Eflin, Sugano, Kittredge, Dominguez, Soto, Morton, Mateo or Sanchez?
I haven’t heard anything about extensions. The Orioles don’t talk about them, which makes it harder to know what’s happening behind closed doors. Kittredge had a $9 million option next season, and Mateo has a $5.5 million option. I think there’s a much better chance of Kittredge returning, but hey, I thought Danny Coulombe was returning for $4 million and it didn’t happen.  

Are the Orioles committed to a fire sale at this point?
Not at all. Even if they determine that they can’t make the playoffs, I don’t see them gutting the team. They will not tear down and rebuild again. And they definitely are not at the point today where they know which way they’re going.

Do you think Heston Kjerstad makes it back up to the majors this year? Or too much work needed offensively and defensively?
That work is being done so that he can play for the Orioles again in 2025. He’ll be back. And those odds increase more if Tyler O’Neill is out for a long stretch. Interestingly, the bigger obstacle is Dylan Carlson. He’s basically beat out Kjerstad.

What is Tyler O’Neill’s injury?
An impingement in his left shoulder. Shoulder impingement happens when the top outer edge of your shoulder blade, or “scapula,” pinches your rotator cuff beneath it. Rude.

Would you rather deal with five political comments on the blog or five minutes covering Sidney Ponson?
Give me Sidney all day every day. And this is probably a good place to stop.

Does Brandon Hyde need a fishing partner on his boat in Venice? If so, how can I contact him to offer my services?
I’ll pass along your number. Wait by your phone. Cancel all of your plans. Take a leave of absence from work. And this is definitely a good place to stop.