Question: Kind of ironic that Boston did lock in extensions for Garrett Crochet and Kristian Campbell while In Baltimore. What are our great young guys thinking? Do you think the O’s are being too conservative and sending a bad message? From: Ken Kirk
Answer: Ken, similar questions were asked by John Lantz, who wonders about four San Diego Padres (Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis) being signed long-term and Ricky Shaw.
Mike Elias doesn’t like to negotiate publicly, and three of the Orioles’ key young players — Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg — are represented by Scott Boras, who doesn’t encourage signing before free agency, but will do so on occasion. I think the best chance for an extension could be with Adley Rutschman.
It would be good news for Oriole fans to see at least one of the younger players extended.
As for the Padres, both Bogaerts and Machado will be 41 when their contracts run out, and I would find it hard to believe that the Orioles would extend a player for that many years.
Question: Why did Seranthony Domínguez get the win on March 31st. I knew it wouldn’t be Cade Povich, because he didn’t pitch 5 innings. I would have thought Matt Bowman would get the win. From: Timothy Morris
Answer: Timothy, baseball rules recommend that a winning reliever pitch an inning or pitch when a crucial out be made. Bowman came into the game with the score 4-3 in the fifth and recorded two outs and allowed a hit. Domínguez came in for the sixth with the score 4-3 and retired the side in order, so the official scorer credited him with the win. Keegan Akin and Yennier Cano each held the score at 4-3 with perfect innings, but the rules recommend the win go to the earliest effective pitcher.
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.