Question: Since Brandon Hyde likes to platoon players to optimize the lefty/righty matchups, how has the combined performance of our designated hitters compared to teams that use a full-time DH? From: Rick Staley
Answer: Rick, Orioles designated hitters hit .265 with 24 home runs and 87 RBIs and a .777 OPS.
There are relatively few teams that use a full-time designated hitter. The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton or the Braves’ Marcell Ozuna didn’t play the field at all. Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber and Oakland’s Brent Rooker played just a handful of games in the field.
Except for Stanton, whose power numbers were about what the Orioles’ designated hitters produce, those others had superior power numbers.
Hyde likes to use a variety of players as the DH to keep their bat in the lineup while giving them a rest from playing the field, and I think those 2024 numbers are just fine for a DH.
The Orioles did try Eloy Jiménez as a DH for several weeks, and it didn’t work out.
Question: When is MLB going to solve its TV problem? Like a lot of people, I cut the cord on my TV, so no cable, no MASN. I’m blacked out of O’s games on MLB.TV if I buy that. So there’s no way to see my team except to spend $50 a month on a service I neither want nor need.
When is MLB going to stop abusing its fans and let people see ballgames on TV? From: Kevin Whitaker
Answer: Kevin, I received a similar question from Kevin Gish, who notes that MLB will provide streaming services for the Guardians, Twins and Brewers after doing the same for the Padres, Diamondbacks and Rockies this year.
Guys, this is a question that I get regularly and I agree that the situation is a horrible one. I’m hoping that under the new ownership the Orioles will have their own streaming service for 2025, similar to the one that the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards have.
The Orioles did stream on Fubo in 2024, but I’m not sure how many fans were able to use it.
The situation has badly harmed the sport, and it’s a complex one with so many teams signing long-term deals with cable providers when the regional sports network business was a strong one.
MLB is able to stream the six teams Kevin Gish mentioned because Diamond Sports, which is in bankruptcy court, is no longer televising those team’s games, and the league wants fans to be able to see their local teams.
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.