The Birdland Caravan begins tonight with a Q&A session with manager Craig Albernaz and first baseman Pete Alonso at the historic Senator Theatre.

The event is sold out, as you’d expect.

In fact, all of the ticketed events over the three-day period are sold out.

I’ll be packing bags alongside players Friday afternoon at the warehouse to benefit Blessings in a Backpack. The Orioles are matching the proceeds of the ticket sales.

The mission is to provide food on the weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. Fans and players will assist with packing bags down the line with two entrée, two breakfast and two snack items.

Albernaz, Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Samuel Basallo, Dylan Beavers, Jordan Westburg and Tyler Wells are participating.

Media access also is permitted Saturday at the White Marsh Mall and Westfield Montgomery Mall rallies. White Marsh is closer and has four players attending – Jackson Holliday, Ryan Helsley, Dietrich Enns and Grant Wolfram – so I’ll head over and try to get back home before the storm hits.

I’ve written here and here about possible questions for the Caravan attendees, but what about the players who aren’t accessible? They’ll be targeted in spring training.

Colton Cowser

Cowser won’t be able to avoid the health questions, even though his fractured left thumb healed long ago. He also had a concussion in August and played with a couple of small rib fractures.

He’s fine physically but will be asked about it. Comes with the job – the media’s and the player’s.

Cowser is a much better hitter than his .196/.269/.385 line last year in 92 games. What can he do to improve it? How can he improve his contact rate and cut down on the 300 strikeouts over the past two seasons?

Has he spoken with new hitting coach Dustin Lind and assistant Brady North? What about Albernaz?

And definitely, is he expecting to be the everyday center fielder? Wondering how he feels about the likelihood of moving over from left field, as he did after the Orioles traded Cedric Mullins.

Every younger player also is going to be asked about having Alonso in the clubhouse. How important is that leadership?

Kyle Bradish

Bradish is one of the bigger names who isn’t at the Caravan, the potential No. 1 starter depending on other business done in the offseason.

(The Mets appear to have moved on from Framber Valdez, which further thins the competition. Just saying …)

If we’re waiting until pitchers and catchers report to talk to Bradish, we already should know whether the Orioles signed or traded for a No. 1. His reaction will be sought.

Bradish made six starts after returning from elbow-reconstructive surgery and the media will do a health check. He’s made 14 starts over the past two seasons.

Did Bradish go through a normal offseason program?

How does Bradish feel about the rotation, however it’s constructed, and with more than five starters in the mix?

Bradish might go through an arbitration hearing, which also will be discussed.

Bradish struck out at least eight batters in each of his final three starts, becoming the first Oriole to do it since Dylan Bundy's four-game run from Aug. 7-29, 2017. I don’t have a question here, but it’s a cool tidbit.

Dean Kremer

More questions about the rotation. How he feels about it and his placement in it.

Kremer’s a bright guy. He can do the math.

I asked Kremer late last season whether he took pride in his durability in a season when so many teammates were lost to injuries. He countered by defending those teammates. Maybe I’ll try again.

Let’s toss in an Albernaz question, too, and his opinion on the offseason moves.

Kremer posted a 5.30 ERA in 18 road games and a 2.87 ERA in 13 home games. His road ERA was the highest by an Oriole since Wade Miley’s 6.05 in 2017.

Don’t know if there’s a good question here. I’m still workshopping it.

Chayce McDermott

McDermott started Game 2 of a May 14 doubleheader against the Twins at Camden Yards, but his next three major league appearances came in relief – on May 20, Sept. 16 and Sept. 18. He moved from the rotation to bullpen with Norfolk, leading to the obvious question about his anticipated role in 2026.

Have the Orioles told McDermott that he’s strictly a reliever, or is he working out as a starter while the decision is pending?

Keegan Akin

Akin also might go through an arbitration hearing. Otherwise, he gets a 2026 contract with an option.

Either way, let’s talk.

Akin had a weird season by being thrust in the part-time closer role. What’s he expecting to do this year?

Coby Mayo

This is assuming that he hasn’t been traded. Has he spent the winter wondering about his future with the club?

Gotta have his thoughts on the Alonso signing.

Does Mayo expect to take fly balls in right field and maybe go back to third base on occasion? Has he gotten any reps at the position during offseason workouts?

Tyler O'Neill

If other players can't avoid injury inquiries, what chance does O'Neill have when the media arrives? He made three trips to the IL last season and played in only 54 games.

O'Neill made the obvious decision to return rather than opt out of his contract. It's worth discussing.

Anything different about offseason workouts after such a disappointing 2025?

Does O'Neill expect to share right field with Beavers while Taylor Ward is the everyday left fielder and Cowser plays center?

O'Neill and Helsley were teammates in St. Louis. Tell us more about the new closer.

Cade Povich

Povich has registered a 5.20 ERA in 16 starts in 2024 and a 5.21 ERA in 22 games (20 starts) in 2025. How does he take the next step in his career?

Starter, reliever or maybe a little of both? Has he spoken to anyone with the Orioles about it?

Is Povich tracking the offseason pitching moves, what might happen next, and wonder how he’s impacted?

* The Orioles have five players in Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list, led by Basallo at No. 9.

Basallo made his major league debut in August but still qualifies as a prospect. Beavers is No. 21 and he also debuted in August.

Both players maintain their rookie status because they didn’t exceed 45 days on the roster or 130 at-bats. Only one of them, Basallo, received an eight-year, $67 million extension.

Trey Gibson, the Orioles’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year, is ranked 72^nd. He reached Triple-A Norfolk, where he made seven starts, and could arrive in Baltimore this summer.

Outfielder Nate George, the Orioles’ Minor League Player of the Year, is ranked 86^th at age 19 and after climbing to High-A Aberdeen in his first professional season.

Left-hander Luis De León, who could make the jump from Double-A to the majors this year, is 95^th.

Pirates minor league shortstop Konnor Griffin is No. 1, the first time that the organization has the top-overall player.