Mailbag

Which Orioles look in better shape this spring? | MAILBAG

Question: Since you’re there with the team, I was wondering what the eye test tells you about players’ conditioning coming into camp. Anyone look like they’ve bulked up or looking leaner since the end of last season? From: Rick Staley

Answer: Rick, I think Jackson Holliday has certainly bulked up since the end of last season, and Samuel Basallo looks much bigger and more mature. Of the newcomers, you have to be impressed by Tyler O’Neill, who is always in great shape.

Question: If 2025 is considered Tomoyuki Sugano’s rookie year in MLB, will the Orioles have arbitration rights with him if he chooses to play in MLB in 2026?  In, other words, will he have to a specified number of years before he can enter free agency? From: Mitch

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Answer: Mitch, Sugano signed a one-year contract for this season, and he’s a free agent after the season.

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.

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Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

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