Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.
Question: I know this will come across as overreacting, but it seems to me the team is imploding recently in all phases of the game. My question is, does Brandon Hyde have the ability to navigate the storm? From: Darrell Wells
Answer: Darrell, it is an overreaction, and you are far from the only fan who is overreacting. Edward Siebert and Tom Watson from Wyoming also expressed misgivings about Brandon Hyde.
Hyde managed the team through 2019 and 2021 when the team lost 218 games and a horrible 2020 season, which included unforeseen challenges because of the pandemic.
Many managers, to use Darrell’s word, would have imploded, but he didn’t, and the Orioles thrived after Adley Rutschman’s arrival in 2022 and through 2023. I don’t know what the rest of 2024 and beyond will bring, but I think Hyde is the right manager for this team for the foreseeable future.
Question: Can you explain the taxi squad? From: John Miller
Answer: John, teams are allowed to bring a player from the minor leagues for one day without officially recalling them in case of injury or impending move for family reasons. If they’re not activated after one day, they must be returned to the minor leagues. Teams are also allowed to have a third catcher on hand in case of injury to a catcher. The Orioles always have a third catcher at home and on the road as a precaution.