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Baseball’s offseason calendar is loaded with significant dates. A few others develop over the course of the fall and winter.
Today is a prime example.
The media will be introduced to new manager Craig Albernaz at a press conference at Camden Yards that airs live on MASN beginning at 11 a.m. President of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias and control owner David Rubenstein also will attend.
Albernaz can explain why he viewed the Orioles as a good match. Everything he knows about the organization and what he’s got to learn. Whether he’s spoken to any of his players. His level of confidence that a turnaround is imminent for a team that finished in last place.
What did Albernaz observe about the Orioles from the opposite dugout?
How much of Cleveland’s influence will make its way to Baltimore? And I’m not comparing fried perch and walleye to crab cakes.
How much will analytics drive his decisions? He’s a big proponent, of course, or he wouldn’t have the job. But can he also be allowed to trust his gut – and I’m not talking about fried perch and walleye versus crab cakes.
How many, if any, of the Guardians’ coaches will join his staff? Is he able to provide any information on arrivals and departures, or does that fall upon Elias?
How much of the staff’s composition is up to Albernaz? Managers want their own people, to a point. The Orioles might want to hold onto one or two.
So far, we know that assistant hitting coaches Tommy Joseph and Sherman Johnson, who also was upper level hitting coordinator, bench coach Robinson Chirinos and first base coach Anthony Sanders will be replaced based on sources or reports.
As a former catcher, what kind of influence could Albernaz have on Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo?
Chex Mix or Gardetto's?
(Wait, that’s a mailbag question for me. I like them both. Whichever one has more rye crisps. They both take a backseat to Utz Pub Mix, my real addiction. But I digress …)
Will Albernaz want the Orioles bunting more, or was small ball with the Guardians done more out of necessity?
The Guardians had 28 sacrifice bunts this year, compared to four by the Orioles, but their 643 runs scored ranked 28th in the majors. Their .226 average and .669 OPS were 29th.
The New England accent. Has he already grown tired of the references to it by Baltimore media and fans? And how often does he say “hon?” Has he been practicing?
Does he have any opinions on Mark Wahlberg?
Would he like to confirm the story told by Bill Mathews, his head coach at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, about the time that the plate umpire handed him another ball after a walk-off home run, unaware that the game was over, and Albernaz yelled and fired it over the batter’s eye in center field?
Mathews deserves props for consenting to at least four interviews with Orioles beat writers since Albernaz’s hiring. I talked to him for this Oct. 28 article.
Is it “Alby” or “Albie?” I went with the latter.
Elias will be asked about choosing Albernaz and the process that led to the hiring. Elias apparently didn’t have the lone vote.
Yeah, the coaching staff.
Still no general manager. Is it more likely that the Orioles wait to hire one, going through the entire offseason without an addition to the front office?
The Orioles aren’t picking up infielder Jorge Mateo’s $5.5 million option, which could come up in press conference conversation.
Is it worth asking again about Heston Kjerstad? I did it the last time, at the season-ending press conference.
Is Grayson Rodriguez’s elbow cleanup surgery still successful?
Rubenstein might be asked about the budget, though I’ve never known an owner to get real specific about it or to open the books. Oh sure, it’s been teased.
* As you’d expect, none of the Orioles are finalists for the four Baseball Writers’ Association of America awards in the American League.
Most Valuable Player
Aaron Judge, Yankees
Cal Raleigh, Mariners
José Ramírez, Guardians
Cy Young
Tarik Skubal, Tigers
Garrett Crochet, Red Sox
Hunter Brown, Astros
Rookie of the Year
Roman Anthony, Red Sox
Nick Kurtz, Athletics
Jacob Wilson, Athletics
Manager of the Year
John Schneider, Blue Jays
Stephen Vogt, Guardians
Dan Wilson, Mariners
The awards will be announced as follows:
Nov. 10: Rookie of the Year
Nov. 11: Manager of the Year
Nov. 12: Cy Young
Nov. 13: MVP
* The Hall of Fame announced eight names on the Era Committee ballot: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Gary Sheffield and Orioles legend Fernando Valenzuela.
A panel of 16 former players, executives, sportswriters and historians from around baseball will vote during the Winter Meetings. At least 12 votes are needed for induction into Cooperstown.
