This, that and the other

With the World Series over and teams firing up the hot stove, it shouldn't be much longer before the Orioles identify the return on the trades of pitchers Tommy Milone and Hector Velázquez.

When is it considered late to be announcing players to be named later?

The Orioles sent Velázquez to the Astros on July 29 for a PTBNL. He never threw a pitch in 2020 outside of summer training camp and alternate camp sites.

Milone was traded to the Braves the following day for two PTBNL, an impressive return for a veteran left-hander signed to a minor league deal. The Braves released him on Sept. 30.

The Orioles likely will mimic what they sought for relievers Richard Bleier, Mychal Givens and Miguel Castro. Players who are going to be assigned to the Dominican Summer League teams.

The Marlins sent infielder Isaac De Leon to the Orioles in exchange for Bleier, the Rockies relinquished outfielder Mishael Deson as part of the Givens trade and the Mets relinquished shortstop Victor González as the final piece of the Castro trade.

Those transactions could be made during the season because the players were added to their teams' 60-man pools. The Orioles had a broader selection in the offseason, though it's assumed that agreements already were in place.

Anyway, make sure to include the PTBNL in your offseason fan agenda. Along with tracking the changes to the 40-man roster, including prospects protected in the Rule 5 draft, and the non-tenders that reduce arbitration cases.

* Minor league signings will trickle through the offseason and the Orioles already brought back six of their own last week: utility player Stevie Wilkerson, infielder Ryan Ripken, catcher Taylor Davis, and right-handers Marcos Diplán, Mickey Jannis and Ofelky Peralta.

A 2021 minor league season, if such an animal exists, could find Jannis at Triple-A Norfolk.

He turns 33 in December. He throws a knuckleball that fascinated the crew in the Ed Smith Stadium bullpen prior to the shutdown. He intrigues the organization.

Jannis didn't receive a spring training invite after the Orioles signed him to a minor league deal in late January, but he made multiple trips from the Twin Lakes Park complex to provide an extra arm.

The Rays drafted Jannis in the 44th round in 2010 out of California State University, back when he used a sinker and slider to get hitters out. He pitched in independent leagues from 2012-14, experimenting with the knuckleball, before the Mets signed him.

Jannis posted a 3.10 ERA and 1.294 WHIP last year in 20 games (18 starts) with Double-A Binghamton, but he's gone 0-4 with an 18.41 ERA and 3.000 WHIP in four Triple-A starts over the past two seasons.

Who wouldn't want to see Jannis, with his knuckler, in the same bullpen as César Valdez with his dead fish pitch? Or maybe start Jannis and then bring in Valdez just to watch heads explode.

"I'm very excited to have re-signed with the Orioles," Jannis wrote in a text message. "I'm looking forward to picking up where I left off last spring training. Throughout this pandemic season the coaching staff has stayed in close contact with me. From the very beginning I feel like the entire staff has bought into the knuckleball, so they support me with whatever I need to stay sharp."

* The Orioles could wield an outstanding double play combination next season with José Iglesias returning at shortstop and Yolmer Sánchez the possible starter at second base.

Iglesias had his $3.5 million option picked up yesterday, which I anticipated from a few conversations last week. But doubts began to surface on Saturday night with no announcement coming from the team.

I wondered if anything should be read into the delay.

Apparently not.

This is likely to be the priciest move made by the Orioles before opening day. Knives are sharpened for more cost cutting, and the Sánchez waiver claim appears to make Hanser Alberto more vulnerable to a non-tender.

As you've been told, MLBTradeRumors.com projects Alberto's salary at $2.3 million and Renato Núñez at $2.1 million. The Orioles already are prepared to pay Trey Mancini around $4.8 million, and Anthony Santander's bump could take him to $1.7 million.

Pat Valaika was omitted from the original projections list until a few days ago. Now the site is listing him at $1.1 million, which isn't cheap for a utility player.

Decisions on tendering contracts must be made by Dec. 2, before the Orioles know if the season is going to be shortened again and impact salaries. Some casualties are expected.

There are no guarantees that Sánchez makes the opening day roster. Think about what it took for Alberto and Valaika to finally stick around.

Guys come and go and come back again. Or they just go.

The team hasn't commented on Sánchez, but that's going to change with the next Zoom conference call with executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias. Maybe we'll find out how Elias envisions Sánchez's role. Potential starter or more of a utility type.