Mailbag leftovers for breakfast

Some leftovers are more appetizing than others. For instance, the container of Chinese food that I ordered before flying to Chicago has no business being in my refrigerator. The plastic lid is corroding.

However, the mailbag questions that weren’t used earlier this week remain fresh – except for the one asking whether Hanser Alberto has a future in Baltimore. Don’t know how I missed that one. Must have gotten pushed to the back like my beef lo mein.

Here are some extras that didn’t make the first cut.

Do the Orioles expect Grayson Rodriguez to be ready for spring training?
Absolutely. He underwent a procedure on his right elbow to remove a bone spur on Aug. 11. That's plenty of recovery time. There's a reason why he did it last month. And it was a bone spur. We're not talking reconstructive surgery here. The question is whether he remains a starter and can he make it through an entire season healthy. He hasn't pitched in a major league game since July 31, 2024. Counting on him to work near or at the top of the rotation and getting nothing from him is one reason why the season went south.

Will Jackson Holliday get reps in center field next spring, Maybe Coby Mayo in right field some? It sure would help if we have as many extra-inning games next year as this one.
Plans for players in camp will reveal themselves later, but the Orioles seem committed to keeping Holliday and Mayo on the right side of the infield. They didn’t give Mayo reps in right field last spring and have settled on first base as his permanent home. He isn’t working out at third anymore. Holliday stands a better chance of becoming a plus defender at second if he isn’t experimenting with the outfield. Any changes with these players would be a surprise.

Who hires the next manager, Mike Elias or the future GM?
Everything is based on assumptions because the Orioles haven’t talked about Elias’ promotion and a restructured front office. However, Elias is likely to be the guy calling the shots despite the change in title. He’d give final approval on the GM. Again, this is assumed.

Why do you think so many fans want to trade Adley Rutschman at his lowest possible value and also why are so many people wrong about things?
Are these questions related? Expectations for Rutschman rightfully were sky high and he isn’t meeting them after an impressive start to his major league career. But it wouldn’t make sense to trade him for a couple of reasons. You named one. You work with a player of Rutschman’s caliber. You don’t give up on him at this stage of his career. But every city has fans who are ready to cut struggling players, no matter their draft status or number of years in the majors. Jackson Holliday was declared a bust at age 20. The Trevor Rogers trade was the worst in franchise history until it wasn’t. Emotions run high. I can be critical of the overreactions, but it beats apathy. Passionate fans, even the most unreasonable, are better than no fans.

Is Jackson Holliday's future at second base or do you think he's destined for a position change?
Popular question. The Orioles think he’s going to develop into an outstanding second baseman. And there’s really no other choice. Gunnar Henderson is the shortstop and Jordan Westburg is the third baseman. Holliday isn’t an outfielder, and the organization thinks with more work he’s going to become more consistent backhanding balls. I hate to keep bringing up age but he’s 21.

When do you expect a new manager announcement?
Major League Baseball prefers that big announcements are withheld until after the World Series. So … sometime after the World Series. Wouldn’t it be funny if the announcement is made at next year’s All-Star break after he’s managed the first half of the season? Just to mess with you.

What are some offseason moves the Orioles need to make?
Just some? They need one or two starting pitchers. They could use at least four relievers, including a closer. They’ll have to determine whether Colton Cowser is their center fielder or they should bring in someone until Enrique Bradfield Jr. is ready. They need a utility infielder to replace Ramón Urías. I’ll say again that Jeremiah Jackson’s bat could keep him in the majors and it helps that he plays multiple positions, but he isn’t a plus-defender and he’s viewed right now as a better right fielder than third baseman. But that’s why you have coaches and instructors. The Orioles also must decide whether to exercise Jorge Mateo’s $5.5 million option. That’s some of their pending business.

Will Jorge Mateo return in 2026?
If I’m pressed to predict, I’ll guess that the Orioles decline the option. That’s a hefty sum for limited production. But they love his speed and versatility. Always keep that in mind.

Is Cowser now the full-time center fielder moving forward?
Do you think he isn’t when he goes back on a ball?

Not that kind of moving forward.
I think the Orioles view their best defensive outfield with Cowser in left, though he certainly can play center and has made some outstanding plays.

Ok, I have one. Who came up with the Ravens home run celebration? I like it. What happened to/why did they stop the Capt. Jack Sparrow hat and the hydration station? OK, that's two.
Funny that I didn’t notice the removal of the hydration station. I don’t sit in the dugout during games. The players who created that celebration are gone and the Orioles moved on from it. Superstitions couldn’t save it. They’re in last place. Jordan Westburg wore the helmet in the clubhouse and on the field for workouts before the Orioles reinstated him from the injured list. He gets the credit. And you can’t slip a helmet over the Jack Sparrow hat, if that’s what we’re calling it.

Is Dylan Beavers a future leadoff man since his OBP is nearly 150 points higher than his batting average?
Dam near. Beavers could fill that role. He fits. I ran the idea past someone in the organization and he agreed that Beavers possesses the tools. Let’s see what moves are made over the winter and whether the club remains committed to keeping Jackson Holliday atop the order.  

Any news on Heston Kjerstad?
No. Tony Mansolino was asked again in Chicago. The Orioles made it clear that they will provide more information when able to do it. No need to keep bringing up the subject.

Is the Cowser Moo section retired after this season?
The Orioles will revisit it during the offseason and make a decision. Same with the all-orange uniforms.

With a down season, have the water works celebrations and Mr. Splash run their course?
The Orioles will revisit it during the offseason and make a decision. Same with the Cowser section and all-orange uniforms.

Is there a future in MLB for streaky sub-place hitters with defensive value but really only at one position like Emmanuel Rivera?
Yes. Is it with the Orioles? Probably not. But guys like Rivera are spread throughout the majors. He hits a little and plays a good third base. He also can handle first. And there’s a universal designated hitter, which expands his opportunities. He’s out of minor league options, so that hurts. The flexibility would be more appealing to teams.

Will the left field wall get moved back, seeing as the O's hitters didn't seem to remember that it had been moved in?
The wall isn’t on wheels. It isn’t expected to be moved again. Tyler O’Neill and Gary Sánchez were signed to provide right-handed thump in the lineup, but injuries ruined those plans. Ryan Mountcastle was hurt again and has hit only five home runs. Jordan Westburg was hurt again but he's hit 15. The Orioles are waiting to get a full season out of him.  

Did Cal Ripken have any input to the WALL moving back in some?
NO. I mean, No. He probably has an opinion on it, but he wasn’t part of a wall research team.

Why did the org drop Howie Clark as the assistant hitting coach at the end of 2019?
Sincerely, Howie's Mom. No, no. As you might have noticed, it took a few years for the Orioles to settle on a staff. They kept tweaking it. Clark, first base coach Arnie Beyeler and bullpen coach John Wasdin weren’t retained after 2019. Mansolino replaced Jose Flores as third base coach after the 2020 season. Chris Holt replaced pitching coach Doug Brocail. Hitting coach Don Long was gone by October 2021. It’s been a work in progress and Clark was one of the casualties

You probably won’t have an answer for this one, but is there any actual reason Billy was absent in presence or mention from the Cal Ripken celebration? His absence was noteworthy.
Billy had a commitment with one of his kids. Nothing more than that. I guess mentioning it would have eliminated the conspiracy theories.

Should the Orioles bunt more?
Yes, in the right situations. They don’t do it much because they don’t trust many players to execute it. They’ve laid down four sacrifice bunts, fewest in the majors, though that total can be deceiving. A player can reach base and be credited with a hit, even if the intent was to advance a runner. Or a fielder can be charged with an error. Anyway, it’s an area that’s targeted for improvement. You’ll be reading and hearing about it next spring.

Addressing the GM and field manager candidates being rumored, will Mike Elias consider Brad Pitt or Kevin Costner as the GM? They did a great job in “Moneyball” and “Draft Day.” Or perhaps Al Pacino for his experience as GM/head coach in “Any Given Sunday?”
I guess it’s too late for Wilford Brimley. And this is a good place to stop.

Do you think the Orioles should have a "General Soreness" bobblehead night in honor of this whole 2025 season?
A generic bobblehead in a military uniform? Saluting with his right arm, the other in a sling. An Army boot on one foot, a medical walking boot on the other. Have it come with a pair of crutches. I’m sold. And this is definitely a good place to stop.