Will Orioles wait out Boras on Burnes? | MAILBAG

Question:  Scott Boras has a tendency to shop his clients into the new year. I think the O’s will make a very competitive offer to Corbin Burnes, but Boras will shop it to Mets, Yankees, Dodgers and a phantom team (there is always a phantom team in the bidding for a Boras client). How patient do you think the O’s can afford to be in waiting for a response before having to move on to seek other pitchers? From: Phil Cooke

Answer: Phil, that’s an interesting question. I don’t know the answer because the Orioles have never been in this position with Mike Elias.

While many of Boras’ clients sign late, not all do. The Orioles would step up their pursuit of other top pitchers — Max Fried and Blake Snell, who’s also a Boras client — if Burnes wasn’t available.

If they signed a next-tier free agent, Nathan Evoaldi, Sean Manaea or Yusei Kikuchi, for example, earlier in free agency, they could still pursue Burnes. It will be a fascinating process to watch.

Question: What are the “official” MLB rules for ballpark dimensions? Does MLB have to approve changes? Is the club free to do whatever it wants? And are there such things a minimum/ maximum dimensions? From: John Hall

Answer: John, MLB has long mandated that new parks have a distance of at least 325 feet to left and right field and 400 to center field, but they’ve allowed some clubs, including the Orioles and Yankees, some wiggle room. Right field at Oriole Park is 318 feet.

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.