When the playoffs started, I predicted an Eagles-Bills Super Bowl in a beat writer text thread. No one else had Philadelphia, but I cited its defense, offensive line and weapons in the backfield and at receiver and tight end.

I got it half right. Josh Allen just came along at the wrong time, in the midst of the Chiefs dynasty.

I also knew that I’d have leftovers from my last mailbag. A precedent is set.

Here are some extras.

Outfield versatility is a great thing, usually for substitutions or resting the starters. But Brandon Hyde used to switch Austin Hays and Anthony Santander to the opposite corners occasionally when they were both almost everyday starters. It might have depended on the road park and its dimensions. Happened maybe even at Fenway Park. Think we'll see Tyler O'Neill and Colton Cowser at both corners even as everyday starters in the same lineup?
I don’t think Cowser is locked into left field and O’Neill into right, but those will be their primary positions. They could switch on occasion. Moving Santander to the other corner made sense in some ballparks if there was more ground to cover in right. Hays had better range, of course. O’Neill has won two Gold Gloves. Hyde could be less inclined to make that switch.

The weather is warming this week, which whets the appetite for spring training.

Temperatures might touch 40 today. Be sure to lather on the sunscreen.

There might be some deep burns in today’s mailbag. Only one way to find out.

You ask, I answer, and we have the latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original. And keep in mind that my mailbag catches two-point conversion passes and your mailbag ... well, you know.

Kyle Bradish ETA?
Any relation to Kyle Bradish CPA? The second half of the season. That’s as far as I can narrow it down. Sorry. Maybe in August? We need to keep tracking his recovery and eventual rehab assignment.

Orioles control owner David Rubenstein spoke to Yahoo Finance this week at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He mentioned twice how the Orioles are in “pretty good shape," endorsed a salary cap and went over some of the ballpark renovations.

The club’s payroll has risen to 15^th in the majors at $156 million, per Roster Resource, and we’re waiting for the outcome of Jorge Mateo’s salary figure exchange. He’s seeking $4 million and the Orioles countered at $3.1 million.

Rubenstein described the payroll as “consistent with our needs,” and added, “I don’t think anybody is not playing with the Orioles because of money reasons."

“Spending the most money doesn’t always guarantee you a World Series championship," he added, "and in fact many times people with smaller payrolls have won the World Series. I’m reasonably optimistic we’re gonna do well this year.”

Rubenstein explained how the luxury tax works, with a penalty incurred for teams going over it.

A memorial service will be held later this morning for former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Glendale, Ariz. Teammates and the friends made through his years in baseball are gathering to celebrate his life.

That’s how they want to treat the day. To smile through the tears and to remember and share the many stories. To comfort and console.

Matusz, the fourth-overall pick in the 2008 draft out of the University of San Diego who appeared in 280 games in eight seasons, passed away on Jan. 6 at his home in Phoenix. He was only 37.

The Orioles turned Matusz into a lefty specialist out of the bullpen and he posted ERAs of 3.53, 3.48 and 2.94 in a combined 186 games from 2013-15. He made one start for the Cubs in 2016 and received a World Series ring. Attempts to extend his career took him to Triple-A Reno, Mexico and the independent Atlantic League, his last innings pitched in 2019.

Matusz was the bullpen coach for Baseball New Zealand in the 2022 World Baseball Classic, a final chance to remain close to the sport that he loved.

The passing days bring us closer to spring training and the resolution to some burning issues, but other answers aren’t forthcoming until much later. Until games are played and the summer months lead us to fall.

Here are a few more.

How will Tomoyuki Sugano adjust to the majors?

Sugano also must adjust to life in the U.S. This isn’t only about baseball.

Speaking of baseball, it’s going to be different from the one used in Japan. It won’t be tacky, it’s slightly smaller and the seams are smaller.  

O’s lefty reliever Keegan Akin had a strong 2022 season with a 3.20 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Then he dealt with lower back issues much of the next season and in 23 2/3 innings had an ERA of 6.85 and 1.78 WHIP. He pitched just two innings after June 28.

So fans might not have known what to expect of him in 2024. At Birdland Caravan last January, Akin told reporters he was finally healthy and feeling good but also was not taking a roster spot for granted. He would have to earn it.

He sure did and pitched better than probably many people gave him credit for.

His season was very solid, especially in the second half and he ranked among the best relievers in the game in some expected stats.

He was good both home and away and against both left and right-handed batters.

Zach Eflin picked up a baseball earlier than usual this offseason, an impressive feat for a man with his hands full.

Eflin is having a mostly typical winter professionally back at home in Orlando, even in temperatures that dipped into the 30s. The rest of it is more of an adventure, controlled chaos that amuses and fulfills him.

“Everything else life-related, there is no normalcy or anything, just from having three (children) under 3 ½ at this point and an eight-month pregnant wife,” Eflin said yesterday in a phone conversation. “Things are very reactionary nowadays.”

The Orioles will get a full season from Eflin after he made nine starts in 2024 following a deadline trade that sent minor leaguers Jackson Baumeister, Mac Horvath and Matthew Etzel to the Rays. He posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.120 WHIP and allowed one run in four innings in Game 2 of the Wild Card round against the Royals before receiving a quick hook.

The rotation currently is aligned to make Eflin, 30, the favorite to start on Opening Day in Toronto, with Grayson Rodriguez providing the main competition. Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton signed one-year deals, and Dean Kremer returns after registering a 3.82 ERA in 12 second-half starts.