Mailbag leftovers for breakfast

The Orioles are supposed to begin a three-game series tonight against the Twins at Camden Yards, with a chance to get revenge for last week’s sweep at Target Field. Rain is in the forecast, and all over my street. Stay tuned for updates.

Need to kill some time? There’s always mailbag leftovers for your perusing pleasure.

You asked, I answered, and I’m finally posting them. They didn’t make the last cut - like me when girls at my high school were deciding on prom dates.

There are others questions saved that I’ll try to publish later.

Is there any chance we see a long-term contract signing this year from the Orioles? Seems like it's been all the rage around the league.
Seems like this question is all the rage. You’ll have to trust me because I’m not going to list everyone, but you aren’t alone in asking it. And unfortunately, there’s no way to answer. Sure, it’s possible. There are discussions behind closed doors. But since they aren’t made public and transcriptions aren’t distributed, we don’t know how advanced. The front office wants to hold onto the young talent, but we’re always reminded of market size and the importance of keeping the organization “healthy” for years to come. There are financial limitations. Both parties have to agree to it. So … maybe.

Who will return from the IL first, Colton Cowser or Jordan Westburg?
Westburg is a bit behind schedule but he’s still ahead of Cowser at this point. He was supposed to spend a few days working out with Triple-A Norfolk and get into some games, but the hamstring soreness came back and didn’t allow it to happen. We’ll get updates later today, assuming that we have our manager session. Hate to bring up the weather forecast again, but it isn’t good.

Has Emmanuel Rivera earned a roster spot when Jordan Westburg is ready?
There seem to be four avenues. Rivera can be designated for assignment, Jorge Mateo can be designated for assignment or the Orioles remove an outfielder and option Dylan Carlson or Heston Kjerstad. They survived Tyler O’Neill’s return. Rivera is 9-for-26 (.346) in eight games and is playing a really good third base, but he’d step aside for Westburg on most nights. Mateo is more versatile but he isn’t playing much and is 4-for-30 with 11 strikeouts. He wasn’t in Sunday’s lineup against Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson. The Orioles could roll the dice on Rivera again and hope he clears waivers and accepts another outright assignment. Don’t forget about Ramón Urías. He could return today or Wednesday, ahead of Westburg.

Do you think the ERA stat needs to be changed for how the game is played today? They only pitch five innings or so, so you don’t really know what their ERA would be if they had to pitch a full game. When they pitched complete games, you knew how many runs they gave up.
The math still works, dividing earned runs by innings, but I see your point about trying to project the number over a full nine innings. I’d rather have “quality start” changed because three earned runs in six innings is a 4.50 ERA, and sorry, but that ain’t quality. Make it two runs or fewer, or seven innings or more. Fix one of them.  

If Matt Holliday can fix Jackson’s swing from video, think he would being interested in a hitting coach job with the team? Would the Orioles offer him a job?
The Cardinals hired Matt as bench coach and he resigned a month later to spend more time with his family. He’d be closer to Jackson, but younger son Ethan is a high school senior who is projected as a high first round draft pick. I don’t know whether the Orioles will be making any changes to their coaching staff. Cody Asche is in his first season as the hitting coach, and Sherman Johnson and Tommy Joseph are in their first seasons as assistants. They don’t deserve blame for every hitter who’s under-performing. At some point it’s up to the players to do their jobs. They know it. Do the coaches get full credit for Cedric Mullins’ scorching first month and full blame for his current slump? Some hitters can benefit from a familiar voice, whether a family member or roving instructor. Matt obviously knows Jackson better than anyone, and he was an accomplished major league hitter for a long time. He's a handy resource but that doesn't mean he goes on the payroll.

Who has the most tats on the team?
I haven’t counted, to be honest. How weird would that look? I might not be allowed back inside the clubhouse. But reliever Gregory Soto probably ranks first. Among them are his son Yadiel’s name across the outer part of his right forearm, his mother Yomari’s face and name on his right shoulder, Psalm 23 in Spanish near his right biceps: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” There’s also the Dominican Republic’s coat of arms on his right forearm, the words “I love” on one side of his neck, and three crosses on the other side. The elbow, chest and legs also have ink. The total count was around 15 back in 2021, according to an article in The Athletic, and he’s probably added to it. That's the best I can do without following him into the shower. Or, yeah, I could just ask.

Do the Orioles actually have a plan for Coby Mayo other than yo-yoing him back and forth? Is it going to take an injury or trade of Ryan Mountcastle for him to get a legit look?
A trade certainly would improve his chances. The Orioles didn’t want to put him on the shuttle again this month, but an injury to Urías forced him back to the majors, he went 1-for-12 with six strikeouts and a couple of errors at third base, and he was sent down. The Orioles would prefer being able to recall him under different circumstances, where it isn’t because of an injury that could make his stay temporary again. But he’s got to hit. A hot bat might have kept him in the majors when Tyler O’Neill was reinstated.

If the O's won't start Jorge Mateo against a left-handed starting pitcher, does this indicate his time with the O's is coming to a close?
It isn’t a vote of confidence, but Mateo might have played if Emmanuel Rivera wasn’t so productive at the plate. Brandon Hyde will turn to anyone who can get a hit. He'd probably by them dinner, or a boat. Mateo brings defensive versatility and that plus speed, but you have to wonder if there’s a shelf life to it on a team that’s been hurting for clutch hits and runs.

If the O's won't bring Cionel Pérez into a game when they lead by five runs, does this indicate his time with the O's is coming to a close?
You two sitting next to each other? Wait, it’s the same guy! I assume you’re referring to Sunday. I wondered why Félix Bautista was pitching the ninth on only one day of rest – and yes, I knew that an off-day was approaching. I didn’t link it to Pérez, who pitched the previous night. Bautista’s workload is getting a little heavier. It’s a gradual process. Pérez has been moved out of the higher-leverage situations and his ERA is down from 11.32 to 9.00 since April 20. But since you bring him up, someone’s got to leave when Andrew Kittredge is ready.  

Anything interesting happen on this date in Orioles history, since you shared a few items over the weekend?
In 1965, Milt Pappas became the first pitcher to record 100 wins with the Orioles in a 3-2 victory over Cleveland at Memorial Stadium. Pappas became a huge part of Orioles history in December that year, but I don’t remember why. Maybe someone can jar my memory.

The Frank Robinson trade.
This is your pilot speaking. The jokes will be flying over your head at an altitude of 30,000 feet. Please observe the “no laughing” sign.

Do the Orioles have any recourse against the poor umpiring they have experienced? Is this something Brandon Hyde needs to address in the moment? Can the team say to the league, "Hey, our guys have really been getting the short end of the stick and that's not cool."
Perhaps something a little more forceful. You're too nice. Teams can contact the commissioner’s office about possible violations of rules or disciplinary measures. The reports are reviewed and penalties can be recommended. But a lousy strike zone is hard to correct after the fact. They can’t replay the game or issue walks to batters who took a called third strike at their toes.

Why does Adley Rutschman bat so high in the lineup? Is this to appease the star that the Orioles think he might be and hope for an extension?
There haven’t been many hitters deserving of a higher spot. The club keeps expecting Rutschman to get hot again. He hit fifth 18 times last season, which is lower than usual. He’ll move down again, perhaps further, if he keeps struggling and others heat up. Jackson Holliday got a bump. I know this is a sore spot with some fans who want him near or at the bottom. The Orioles aren’t ready to do that, but it isn’t because they’re appeasing him or some other star-related motive. They love the at-bats that he's capable of delivering and are going to give him plenty of opportunities.

Do you think Adley Rutschman will return to Good Adley this season, or should I buy more liquor?
Does it have to be one or the other? Yes, he’s going to play at a much higher level. Yes, stock up. But please, drink responsibly.

Zach Eflin: extend, trade or qualifying offer?
Start him every fifth or sixth day and see how the team is playing closer to the deadline. He’d be a trade candidate if the Orioles decide to sell – and again, we’re a long way from that call. If he’s pitching like an ace and the Orioles moved up the standings, extension talks could happen because Tomoyuki Sugano is on a one-year deal and Grayson Rodriguez is hurt again. If he’s eager to hit free agency, a qualifying offer is in play.

Are you considered fully recovered from your surgery? Hoping so.
Thank you. A surgeon at Sinai Hospital told me before spring training that I “graduated.” I hit the six-month mark on May 4, which was a milestone, but I think more so for my chest healing. It’s wired shut, ya know? I’m still on lots of meds but the plan is for my cardiologist to start weening me off a few of them after the season. It’s probably not a good idea now with my work schedule, the travel, the stress, etc. This is no time to experiment. But I’m back in the gym and making my comeback. Yes, you can call it a comeback.

If the Orioles are still under .500 by July, should they be sellers at the trade deadline?
That’s the likely outcome. That doesn’t mean a total roster purge, of course. This isn’t 2000 and Syde Thrift isn't trying to sell us on Juan Figuero, Leslie Brea and Mark Nussbeck. But pending free agents like Zach Eflin and Cedric Mullins could be on the block.

Where does Melanie get her O’s jackets?
Newman! I asked and she answered in a text: “One is vintage 1993 – a gift when I got the job. One is Mitchell & Ness sold in the park ’23, a Brightside boutique x Route One collaboration, mlbshop.com, ProStandard.” I’ll admit that I don’t understand any of this except for “a gift when I got the job.”

Is it just a coincidence that the pitching staff goes belly up the same year they moved the wall back in?
Yes. Poor pitching isn’t exclusively a Camden Yards thing. But to be fair and show that I did a little research … the Orioles have a 6.14 ERA and 1.682 WHIP at home and a 4.67 ERA and 1.322 WHIP on the road. Opponents are batting .309/.375/.545 at Camden Yards and .249/.319/.412 on the road. But I don’t see a bunch of losses caused by fly balls falling into the splash zone.

What are some instances of teams reaching the postseason with a record like the Orioles' as of May 12th, and how applicable or not do you think those are?
Teams and circumstances are different. However, if you're looking for some encouragement, the 2019 Nationals were 19-31 on May 23 and won the World Series. I thought I'd keep it local.

Roch, what do you think of this dumb 100 men vs. a gorilla hypothetical?
Is this happening in time for the 2028 Olympics? I'll definitely be watching. I'm not sure how that many men will fit on the podium during the medal ceremony, but then again, I doubt all 100 will be around for it. And this seems like a good place to stop.