I’ll be home for Christmas, and with a mailbag that should be a little lighter after another dumping.

You dared to ask and I deemed your questions worthy of my attention. Don’t take the honor lightly.

Also, my mailbag roasts chestnuts on an open fire and your mailbag wrestles squirrels for acorns.

How much of a language barrier will there be for Tomoyuki Sugano in the clubhouse next year? He obviously won't have an interpreter in a mound meeting with Adley Rutschman, pitching coaches and other infielders during a game.
Sugano is allowed to use an interpreter for mound sessions. That isn’t an issue. And I’ve watched teammates in the past welcome foreign-born players and bust down that barrier. Koji Uehara learned some new words that he couldn’t repeat in interviews, and he loved it.

Who was our interpreter for Koji?
I had to look it up. It’s been a while. Jiwon Bang was Koji’s interpreter.

The role isn’t defined for Gary Sánchez, the new Orioles backup catcher. He isn’t sure how many innings he’ll get behind the plate or whether he’ll do more hitting than squatting. He’s just eager to be part of a contending team, which he’s used to doing, and try to push it further through the postseason.

Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias reached agreement with Sánchez on an $8.5 million contract for 2025, with the deal becoming official at the Winter Meetings in Dallas. Sánchez is replacing veteran backup James McCann, who remains on the free-agent market.

McCann was a popular figure in the clubhouse and particularly with the pitching staff, but the Orioles didn’t try to bring him back. Sánchez will be the first primary backup since Robinson Chirinos, who’s now the bench coach, in 2022.

“I think they have really good chemistry, and for me it’s an honor to be part of this team now,” Sánchez said during today’s video call via interpreter Brandon Quinones. “They have a lot of great, young talent, a real exciting group, and I’m just looking forward to going out there and helping any way that I can to support this team and help this team win.”

The Brewers were Sánchez’s fifth team and he appeared in 89 games this year, batting .220/.307/.392 with seven doubles and 11 home runs. He started at catcher in 27 of those games and at first base once, with the majority of his work as the designated hitter.

What can be expected of the Orioles this week?

Maybe the unexpected, like when they didn’t select a player in last year’s Rule 5 draft and made a huge splash by signing closer Craig Kimbrel to a $13 million contract for the 2024 season.

With the 24^th pick in this year’s Rule 5, the Orioles most likely will pass again rather than try to carry a player for the entire season while also attempting to make a deep playoff run. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias dropped some strong hints at last year’s Winter Meetings that the club wouldn’t participate in the major league phase unless players on their board surprisingly fell to them. He could do the same with media covering this year’s event, which is arguably the second-biggest for fans after spring training, and gathering daily in his suite.

Kimbrel’s signing ranks as one of the biggest stories in Orioles’ Winter Meetings history. His contract was the largest handed out in Nashville, much to the amusement of some club officials who didn’t realize it until later. They outspent the Dodgers and Yankees, who, of course, sped past them later.  

At least one minor league signing is typical, especially on the first day. Infielder John Lester and outfielder Nomar Mazara joined the organization as free agents on Dec. 6, 2022. The pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 in-person meetings, which were held virtually and included the Orioles claiming right-hander Ashton Goudeau on waivers from the Pirates.

I would have an easier time catching a fly ball in left field in a heavy rainstorm while wearing stilettos than catching a break.

I should be coming home today from Sinai Hospital, except the pharmacies contacted don’t have my new AFib prescription and I have to wait until Monday. I can only get it here in-patient.

My response is, why can’t you just slip me a couple to take home?

But enough of my complaining. Let’s dig through more mailbag leftovers while I sit here in my hospital gown and self-pity.

There was talk of David Ross being added as bench coach. Any idea what happened there? Was Ross too expensive?
There aren’t any details available relating to the coaching search. Maybe later. I haven’t seen confirmation that Ross was offered the job. Just that the Orioles were “interested,” according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, who didn’t know whether an offer was made.

DENVER – Playing in the majors at age 20 already presents a litany of challenges for Jackson Holliday. Now that he’s in Colorado with the Orioles, he’s tested to remember incidents that happened when he was a young boy. The heartwarming family moments. The silly stuff. Keep ‘em coming.

Matt Holliday spent his first five seasons with the Rockies and returned in 2018 for his final 25 games before retirement. He held Jackson in his arms after his team won the 2007 National League Championship Series, an iconic photo that was shown, among so many others, during last night’s broadcast.

Jackson would celebrate his fourth birthday in December. Things that happened back then aren’t crystal clear in his mind, but media at his locker tried to pry it out of him.

“I remember vaguely just moments here and there, the playoffs, and certain things like, playing yesterday (at Dodger Stadium) they did the MVP chants for (Shohei) Ohtani and I kind of remember that whenever my dad was here,” he said. “And obviously, whenever he came back with St. Louis. To come here and just be a part of everything.”

What about playing Wiffle Ball? Surely, he’s got some tales to share.

The Orioles made a move today to address their infield depth.

A source confirmed that J.D. Davis has signed a minor league deal. The Yankees released him last week.

No, he can’t pitch.

Davis, 31, is a right-handed hitter with a career .257/.340/.425 line in eight major league seasons. He’s hit 72 home runs, including 22 with the Mets in 2019 and 18 with the Giants last year.

The Athletics signed Davis on March 16 and traded him to the Yankees on June 23. He batted a combined .218/.293/.338 in 46 games and was 2-for-19 with nine strikeouts with New York.

The Orioles have recalled outfielder Kyle Stowers from Triple-A Norfolk today, according to an industry source. The club hasn’t announced the move.

Stowers hasn’t appeared in a major league game since May 14, 2023, after breaking camp with the Orioles. He’s batting .240/.315/.541 with 11 doubles, 11 home runs, 32 RBIs, 13 walks and 44 strikeouts in 165 plate appearances with Norfolk.

A chance to join the expanded September roster last year was ruined after Stowers was hit by a pitch and fractured his nose. He had missed two months with a shoulder injury.

Stowers was 2-for-30 with the Orioles last year, striking out 12 times in 14 games. The former second-round draft pick out of Stanford made his major league debut on June 13, 2022 in Toronto while replacing Anthony Santander, who was put on the restricted list. Stowers returned in August and finished with a .253/.306/.418 line and four doubles, a triple, three home runs and 11 RBIs in 34 games.

A spot must open on the roster to accommodate Stowers. And perhaps there are multiple moves pending with Austin Hays eligible to return from the injured list.

PITTSBURGH – Maybe it was the sunshine and dry conditions that flustered the Orioles. They couldn’t get Pirates starter Bailey Falter to live up to his name. They needed him to leave. Nothing good would happen until he was back inside the clubhouse.

The game still ended poorly, but at least there were flickers of hope. Too bad they'd get burned in extra innings.

Danny Coulombe escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the 10th, but the Orioles failed to score in the top of the 11th and Oneil Cruz singled off Jonathan Heasley to plate Henry Davis for a 5-4 walk-off win at PNC Park.

Cedric Mullins made a sensational diving catch to rob Ke'Bryan Hayes, but Cruz lined a first-pitch sweeper into right field and the Pirates stormed the field.

The Orioles went 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position. They scored on a ground ball, two fly balls and a fielder's choice. But they still had a chance.

PITTSBURGH – Anthony Santander raced toward the right field line in the second inning yesterday, trying to keep his eyes on the baseball through a hail storm, slammed on the brakes before he overran it and jumped to make the catch. He was camped under it but wasn’t taking any chances.

Santander laughed as he recorded the out. And thankful that he prepared for the elements beyond the frozen precipitation.

Perhaps you’ve noticed it a few times this season, Santander wearing glasses in right field at Camden Yards and PNC Park. His reasons aren’t related to failing vision.

“When it’s windy and it’s cold, my eyes get wet, like crying, and I can’t see really good. It really bothers me,” Santander said.

“Sometimes I use them for hitting, especially when we’re playing in Oakland. There’s a lot of wind and it gets in my eyes. It’s tough to see. So, I’ve got them in my locker just in case.”

The Orioles will attempt today to win back-to-back series before embarking on their first road trip of the young season.

They’re at the mercy of the weather. Rain continues to fall at Camden Yards and manager Brandon Hyde said the club is in “wait-and-see” mode.

Asked what he’s hearing about a window, Hyde said, “That they close, also.”

“It doesn’t look great,” he said.

Jorge Mateo is starting in center field today. Jordan Westburg is in the lineup for the sixth consecutive game, moving up to fifth in the order.

Jordan Westburg rounded first base tonight, looked back at the dugout, pumped his fist and yelled.

This is what a walk-off home run feels like.

This is what a good, young hitter looks like.

Cedric Mullins singled with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning against Royals right-hander Nick Anderson, Westburg fell behind 0-2 on a pair of curveballs and launched a fastball over the right field fence, and the Orioles won the series opener in dramatic fashion, 6-4, before an announced and chilled crowd of 12,666.

"I was a little antsy that first pitch and chased a curveball down," Westburg said, "and I figured he was going to try to go back to the heater up, so I took that nice curveball right down the middle."

Jordan Westburg stays in the lineup tonight at second base as the Orioles begin a three-game series against the Royals.

Ramón Urías is playing third base. Ryan O’Hearn is the designated hitter.

It’s Jorge Mateo’s turn to sit again.

Gunnar Henderson continues to sit atop the order. He recorded his 10^th career multi-walk game Sunday and first since July 7, 2023.

Henderson posted a 1.646 OPS against the Royals last season, and his three home runs tied Manny Machado for most by an Orioles rookie versus Kansas City, per STATS.

The Orioles go for the sweep this afternoon with Jordan Westburg in his third starting role in three games.

Westburg is playing third base after serving as designated hitter and playing second. He also moved over to shortstop last night in the ninth inning.

Ramón Urías goes to the bench today, with Jorge Mateo at second base.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter. Gunnar Henderson stays atop the order, with Cedric Mullins batting seventh.

Tyler Wells won the job as the No. 3 starter in spring training after allowing two runs in 14 1/3 innings. He’s made five career appearances against the Angels, including two starts, and allowed six runs with 14 strikeouts in 13 innings.

Ownership of the Baltimore Orioles has officially changed hands.

Major League Baseball owners voted unanimously today, as expected, on David Rubenstein’s purchase of the team two months after the wheels were set in motion. And about 24 hours before the Orioles begin their pursuit of a second consecutive playoff berth.

Camden Yards will be packed on Thursday for Opening Day. Rubenstein will be watching as the control person.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I thank the Angelos family for their many years of service to the game and the communities of Baltimore,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.” Peter Angelos loved Baseball, loved Baltimore and was an important part of MLB for more than three decades.

“I congratulate David Rubenstein on receiving approval from the Major League Clubs as the new control person of the Orioles.  As a Baltimore native and a lifelong fan of the team, David is uniquely suited to lead the Orioles moving forward.  We welcome David and his partners as the new stewards of the franchise.” 

SARASOTA, Fla. – Jackson Holliday will begin the 2024 season at Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles announced this afternoon that prospects Holliday, Coby Mayo and Connor Norby were reassigned to minor league camp and outfielders Heston Kjerstad and Kyle Stowers were optioned.

Right-hander Albert Suárez and catcher David Bañuelos also were reassigned. But Holliday is the big news.

Baseball’s No. 1 prospect batted .311/.354/.600 in 15 games, with three doubles, two triples, two home runs and six RBIs. He was vying for playing time at second base, with Gunnar Henderson entrenched at shortstop.

Today’s move with Holliday could signal that the team is keeping Ryan McKenna as a fifth outfielder or carrying second baseman Kolten Wong, whose opt-out date is today.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles are home again tonight with a 6:05 p.m. game against the Tigers, and Grayson Rodriguez is making his third spring start.

Rodriguez has allowed two runs and four hits with three walks and four strikeouts over four innings.

Gunnar Henderson is leading off and playing shortstop. Jackson Holliday is batting ninth and playing second base.

Kolten Wong is getting the start at third base.

Heston Kjerstad is the left fielder. James McCann is catching.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles won’t sit still.

They made another roster move early this evening, acquiring right-hander Kaleb Ort from the Phillies in another cash considerations deal.

Ort, who turned 32 earlier this month, made 21 appearances with the Red Sox last year and posted a 6.26 ERA and 1.565 WHIP in 23 innings. He allowed 16 earned runs (19 total) and 27 hits with 24 strikeouts.

The Mariners selected Ort off waivers in October, the Marlins claimed him in December and the Phillies claimed him six days ago.

Now he’s an Oriole and the latest bullpen candidate after making 47 relief appearances over the past three seasons – all with the Red Sox - and his only two major league starts in 2023.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Anthony Santander was on his own for this morning’s media scrum.

The team interpreter was in a meeting. Santander can handle an interview solo but enjoys having his friend close, just in case he gets crossed up.

You’ve seen him at his locker postgame with his arm around Brandon Quinones’ shoulder. Always smiling. Rarely in need of any assistance.  

“I’ll do my best,” he said.

Santander had spent the last few months in Venezuela and joked that he was out of practice speaking English. But he came through again in the clutch.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The camp roster churn continued today. Another infielder gone, this time replaced by a pitcher.

The Orioles have acquired left-hander Matt Krook from the Yankees for cash considerations. Diego Castillo has been designated for assignment to create space on the 40-man roster.

Castillo was claimed off waivers from the Phillies on Friday, with shortstop Livan Soto designated for assignment.

The Angels claimed Soto earlier today. The Orioles had claimed him from the Angels on Feb. 8.

Please try to keep up.

Being aware of the mounting number of airline safety issues, I’m afraid to bring a heavy mailbag to Sarasota and risk having the landing gear fail or a few bolts bust off the wings.

Let’s lighten the load here in our last pre-spring training sequel to the beloved original in 2008.

You ask, I answer, you wonder if I’ve finally relented and began doing some editing, and I wonder if you started drinking early.

I adore your style, length (shut up), clarity and brevity. To change it would be like tossing soup on the Mona Lisa.

Also, a reminder that my mailbag refuses to be pushed around or disrespected, and yours does a bully’s homework.