Should Orioles bring back Suárez for 2025 and beyond? / MAILBAG

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: Isn’t it time for the O’s to sign Albert Suárez for a couple of years? He’s been a lifesaver this year and, at worst, would be a nice addition to the bullpen. He’s not going to be cheaper in January. From: Carl in Baldwin

Answer: Carl, even though Albert Suárez is 34, he doesn’t have enough major league service time to qualify for arbitration or free agency, so they don’t need to rush to sign him.

But they should keep him under team control for 2025 because he’s pitched wonderfully this season.

Question: Could you explain how the playoff rosters work? With all the injuries that the O’s now have, is there some leeway for bringing players like Jordan Westburg in the middle of the playoffs in place of another non-injured player? From: Bill Abell

Answer: Bill, if Jordan Westburg or Grayson Rodriguez isn’t ready for the start of postseason, the Orioles could take them off the injured list and activate them for a later round. Playoff rosters are 26 players, down from 28 from September 1^st through the end of the regular season. Rosters can change for each round.