A dozen mailbag leftovers for breakfast

The year 2026 has been quiet for the Orioles. No fireworks since the ball dropped.

Starter Zach Eflin is the last transaction, signing a one-year, $10 million contract on Dec. 28 with a mutual option.

The redundancy in reviewing Mike Elias’ shopping list can damage brain cells. Yes, another starting pitcher. Yes, more relievers. Yes, maybe a utility infielder and extra catcher. Yes, maybe another outfielder who can play center.

Big names and role players are on the radar.

My head is inside the mailbag which is better than where I'm often accused of burying it. Let’s tackle 12 questions as the NFL moves into its postseason and college football moves closer to crowning a national champion.

Pitchers and catchers report in about month.

What is the chance that Maverick Handley is the "taxi catcher," and is the seat on the taxi any more comfortable than the seats on the reliever shuttle?
Handley and Silas Ardoin are the only catchers listed on Triple-A Norfolk’s roster. The 40-man roster is down to Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo. I’m assuming that another catcher is signed for depth. But Handley stands a good chance of being on the taxi squad again, especially with David Bañuelos a free agent. Bañuelos might have set a record for most time on a major league roster in a taxi capacity. The Orioles kept the meter running. That’s major league livin’ right there, and it sure beats the shuttle.

Apologies if I missed it, but are there any Orioles destined for arbitration hearings? If so, who handles their hearings now?
The deadline is Thursday for teams to sign their arbitration-eligible players or exchange salary figures. Hearings are rare but not unprecedented. Anthony Santander lost his arbitration hearing in 2021, Caleb Joseph in 2017, Alejandro De Aza in 2015 and Brad Bergesen in 2012, to name some recent examples. Jacob Webb and Austin Hays won in 2024 and Brad Brach in 2017. General counsel H. Russell Smouse was 8-0 in hearings prior to his retirement. When the Orioles promoted Brendan Fournie to assistant general manager in November, the job description included overseeing baseball economics, advanced scouting and salary arbitration, and also providing roster and transaction support.

I know ownership says money is no problem. But since they haven't landed a real No.1 starter by now, wouldn't it be more realistic for the O's to really stock the bullpen and then dominate from the sixth inning on? Try something different.
That basically was the plan at the 2014 trade deadline when they couldn’t land another impact starter. They traded for reliever Andrew Miller. They bolstered the bullpen at the 2024 deadline with Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto. But you’re talking offseason, and yes, building a more dominant ‘pen is a strategy. The Orioles are trying for a No. 1 or 2 starter. They haven’t reached the point of ditching that idea. Some people in the industry think they’ll sign Framber Valdez. How about, get this, stocking the rotation and the bullpen? Now I'm running with scissors. 

Who do you think has the better chance of being on the O's opening day roster, Mounty or Mayo? Being a big Mayo booster, this poster hopes they can find the room for the young, big power potential of Mayo.
This is one of the most popular offseason questions. Ryan Mountcastle, Coby Mayo, both or neither? Any response is a guess. They can co-exist without a utility infielder on the roster. They could be traded for pitching. Would the Orioles need to find a partner looking to move a player with a similar salary to Mountcastle? Maybe. Could Mayo be packaged for pitching? Maybe.

When's the best time to attend spring training this year to see workouts and games?
The first exhibition game is Feb. 20, so anytime beforehand is good for backfield workouts, though expanded fan access at Ed Smith Stadium will be featured on both home and away game dates, including free admission to open practices on home dates, with entry beginning approximately four hours before the scheduled start time. I memorized it. Pitchers and catchers participating in the World Baseball Classic are scheduled to report to spring training on Monday, Feb. 9, while position players participating in the WBC will report on Thursday, Feb. 12. The remaining pitchers and catchers will report on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and position players on Monday, Feb. 16. Regulars play more innings and starters pitch longer as the schedule nears its conclusion, so keep that in mind.

Our rotation to start the season seems to be rather solid, better than we've had in a while in our 1-5. Do we think we may pass on Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez and instead lay down preliminary discussions to steal Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes or some other top tier pitcher not yet available mid-year?
I think you’d literally have to steal Skenes. Like, slip a sack over his head, pop the trunk … Anyway, the Orioles certainly could check on available starters at the trade deadline, but Mike Elias really wants to make another move before Opening Day. And that move could involve Valdez or Suárez. They still seem to be in play as we enter 2026.

Do you get the impression that any of the O’s young core are on a short leash should they not perform to expectations out of the gate in 2026?
Some leashes are longer than others, but they’ve got minor league options, which gives the team options, as well. Here’s my opinion on one of those young core players: The Orioles stuck with Jackson Holliday through the entire 2025 season. How badly would he need to play in order to lose his job? That’s a long leash. Let’s also put Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman in the young core group. They aren’t getting optioned. Again, how badly would they have to play? Also important to note is how the Orioles would need viable, yes, options to replace these guys.

Do you think Boston Bateman will pitch any games in the major league side of spring training 2026?
We haven’t received the list of non-roster invites, but he finished the 2025 season with three starts at High-A Aberdeen. Sounds more like Twin Lakes Park material. Either way, it could happen. He could come over from minor league camp, be listed among the extras and get into a game.

Will Venezuelans be allowed in America to play baseball this season? Serious question.
Yes. I don’t see any reason why recent events would intersect with baseball. I’m one of the least political guys you’ll know, but that’s my read on the subject.

Any updates on Josh Walker and Will Robertson?
Walker may be in witness protection. The Orioles designated him for assignment Dec. 19 after trading for Shane Baz and his situation still isn’t resolved. I could be a walker in less time getting from my house to Ed Smith Stadium. Robertson was a DFA victim on Dec. 28 when the Orioles signed Zach Eflin, and there are no updates on him, either.

How likely is it that Cade Povich ends up as the third lefty in the ‘pen?
It comes down to whether the Orioles want him to keep developing as a starter in Triple-A, assuming he isn’t starting for them. I see the logic. But I also see an arm that could be very useful in shorter spurts. He could be a relief weapon. Let’s see what else Elias does with the bullpen.

Do ever get tired of the incessant complaining, negativity, drivel and general tomfoolery?
Yes, and I’m trying to do less of it.