A layer of snow and ice may be covering the field at Camden Yards, but from the fifth floor of the warehouse in right field, you can still make out the vague shape of a pitcher’s mound.

Baseball, despite nature’s best efforts, looms just beneath the surface.

Pitchers and catchers have arranged their travel to Sarasota, and “The Bird’s Nest” is getting geared up for spring training. This week, Annie Klaff and I opened up the mailbag. Some of the questions have been answered here, but for more, be sure to check out this week’s episode.

What letter grade would you give the O’s front office for their offseason efforts at the roster?

It’s difficult to start any lower than a B for an offseason in which Baltimore inked Pete Alonso to a 5-year, $155 million contract. The first baseman, and his 264 career home runs, instantly injects life into a lineup that needed a power surge. His acquisition also demonstrates the front office’s willingness to spend the necessary dollars to improve the team.

Taylor Ward, and his 113 home runs, does much of the same for an Orioles squad that didn’t feature a single 20-plus home-run hitter in 2025. Jhonkensey Noel could bring the thump, too, if Baltimore needs him in the big leagues. In the meantime, Big Christmas joins a long list of quality depth additions.

A Mountain-less bullpen added two-time All-Star Ryan Helsley and formidable setup man Andrew Kittredge, and the starting rotation improved significantly with Shane Baz and Zach Eflin.

The potential addition of Framber Valdez would give Baltimore the best offseason in the game and bring this grade to an A++. For now, it still gets an A- to an A.

“The organizational depth that has been built from the waiver wire is impressive. Could you detail what is at Norfolk likely heading out of spring training?”

The Tides feature a mix of big-name prospects and plug-and-play big leaguers.

Let’s start with the former and its headliner Enrique Bradfield Jr.. With just 15 Triple-A games under his belt, Bradfield will have to wait his turn to don the orange and black, but will provide an immediate boost to Baltimore’s overall speed and defense upon his arrival. Reed Trimble and Jud Fabian could work their way into the outfield conversation, too.

Norfolk has no shortage of big league experience, either, featuring newcomers like Noel, Weston Wilson and Will Robertson, as well as familiar faces like Luis Vázquez and Maverick Handley. All would be suitable injury replacements in the majors.

“Can you see Mayo in Norfolk playing the outfield?”

When the Orioles signed Alonso to be their first baseman, Mike Elias noted that Baltimore still had a plan to get at-bats for Coby Mayo, mentioning reps at first base, designated hitter, and the exploration of other positions, including the corner outfield.

Hearing from Mayo at spring training will paint a much clearer picture of his future outlook. Perhaps his offseason has been spent working in right and left field, in which case, starting the season at those positions in Triple-A is a strong possibility.

The perennial top-100 prospect spent most of his professional career at third base, a position that he could return to in the big leagues, given the positional flexibility that Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday provide. A return to the hot corner could make the most sense, as the Orioles will be careful to not overload and overwhelm Mayo defensively. The Florida native’s bat is too valuable to put in jeopardy.

If Mayo starts the year in the big leagues, it would be a surprise to see him in the outfield. The minors, on the other hand, leave more room for growth and development.

“Who hits more home runs this year, Adley or Big Sam?

While Rutschman projects to get more at-bats than Basallo in 2026, the latter has the edge in home run potential.

Assuming that Rutschman, the former No. 1 overall pick, has a bounceback season, nearing or eclipsing his career-high of 20 long balls isn’t out of the question. Basallo cleared that threshold in just 76 games in Triple-A last year, but has yet to produce consistently at the big leagues.

Given the power upside, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the recently extended Basallo hits anywhere from 25 to 30 home runs next season en route to Rookie of the Year consideration. He gets the nod in this projection.