Question: We all know that Mike Elias has a reputation for building great teams. But as we’ve also witnessed in his time with the O’s, he’s a “dumpster diver,” usually waiting until late in the offseason to pick up other teams’ castoffs at bargain basement prices.
Since you have access to all the stats, while I know some have made nice contributions occasionally (Yennier Cano and Adam Frazier come to mind)… just how many of these trade, waiver claim, and Rule 5 picks during his tenure have paid off for the team over the long run? Off the top of my head, I can’t really think of any. From: Tom W. in Wyoming
Answer: Tom, there are a number of acquisitions that have turned out well for the Orioles. Acquiring Kyle Bradish from the Angels for Dylan Bundy in 2019 was excellent. Getting Cano and Cade Povich from Minnesota for Jorge López was also good.
How about getting Ryan O’Hearn for cash considerations from Kansas City?
Tyler Wells was a Rule 5 pick. Jorge Mateo, Cionel Pérez and Ramón Urias were picked up off waivers. How about signing Albert Suárez after pitching five years in Asia? They also got two good seasons out of Danny Coulombe, who they got from Minnesota for cash.
Of course, there are moves that haven’t worked out, and the Orioles have made countless waiver claims in his tenure, but those are low-cost, low-risk moves with possible high rewards.
Question: When the minor league players are called up to Baltimore, how do they travel? Since it is not that far, do they go by plane, train, bus, or car? From: Charles Lowe
Answer: Charles, during the season, if the Orioles call up a player from Norfolk, and the team is at home, some players will fly, others will drive. If the team is on the road, or Norfolk is on the road, then players fly. It’s required that players called up to the major leagues fly first class.
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.