Happy President’s Day, Camden Chatters! If you’ve got the day off from work today, I hope you use it wisely. I plan to do some relaxing.
We are now just four days from the first Spring Training game of the season. This Friday, the Orioles kick off their Grapefruit League season at home against the New York Yankees. The game will be televised on MASN, the first of 20 exhibition games they’ll show this season. Even though the game means nothing, it’ll sure be nice to see the guys out on the field for the first time.
So far, the bad news out of spring training is the injuries to both Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg. Westburg plans to be back before Opening Day, but I never trust an oblique injury. With Holliday guaranteed to be out beyond the start of the season, that opens the door for Coby Mayo. Mayo and Ryan Mountcastle are the odd men out on the roster since Pete Alonso joined the team. But Mayo has been working out at third base and, if he can make it work, could find regular playing time. I personally believe the ship has sailed on Mayo being a third baseman, but I would love to be wrong on that.
And speaking of Mayo and Mountcastle, they are both on the trade block, according to the latest from Ken Rosenthal. In a story for The Athletic yesterday, Rosenthal stated that the Orioles are exploring trades for both players, “according to a person familiar with their thinking.” That is a pretty nebulous way to describe a source, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the Orioles would probably like to move at least one of these two players.
The problem with that, of course, is that neither of those players seems likely to bring back much of value. Mountcastle is coming off a year in which he was both injured and bad. He has just one year until free agency, and frankly, it was a little surprising when the Orioles tendered him a contract in the first place. Even if the Orioles could not get much of a trade return for Mountcastle, it could still be worth it to open up a spot on the roster when there is currently a logjam at first base and DH.
As for Mayo, it feels like his potential is worth more than trade value. He’d bring back more than Mountcastle, but being that his future value is unproven, whatever would come in trade return would likely be the same. I am personally not ready to give up on Mayo as a major leaguer. I really want to see him hit some dingers as an Oriole.
Links
Orioles’ Bradish on innings limit; Albernaz on rotation; Ward, Kowar report – Baltimore Baseball
It makes sense for Kyle Bradish to be on an innings limit, but it’s just another reminder of the the question marks surrounding this year’s rotation.
Eflin on Orioles’ rotation: We’re all gonna push each other, we’re all gonna be competitive – MASN Sports
Speaking of the rotation, Zach Eflin invites you to join the hype train.
Orioles’ Heston Kjerstad fully healthy, declines to detail 2025 absence – The Baltimore Banner
Heston Kjerstad has had a difficult and disappointing career so far. I know I’m not the only one who has stopped expecting something from him. But if he can come back and make something of his career, I’d be thrilled for him.
Today’s guest: The O’s Anthony Villa – Steve on Baseball
Steve Melewski’s latest podcast episode features the Orioles’ Director of Player Development.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have four Orioles birthday buddies, including Terry Crowley (79). Crowley had a 15-season Major League career and spent 1969-1973 and 1976-1982 with the Orioles. Crowley was never an everyday player, and for many seasons he functioned almost solely as a pinch hitter. From ‘77-‘81, he had a .314 batting average as a pinch hitter.
When his playing career ended, Crowley moved into coaching. He served as the hitting coach for the Orioles from 1985-88, then returned for a second stint from 1999-2010. He was with the team in an advisory capacity from 2011-2018.
Also celebrating today are former Orioles Jorge Rondon (38), Tommy Milone (39), and Eric Byrnes (50).
Not much happened on this day in Orioles history, but on this day in baseball history:
- In 1952, Honus Wagner retired at age 77 after 55 years in Major League baseball as a player and coach.
- In 1989, Orel Hershiser became the first player to make at least $3 million per year with his three-year, $7.9 million contract with the Dodgers.
- In 2004, the Texas Rangers traded Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees. Rodriguez was just three years into the 10-year contract he signed with the Rangers.