Is Rubenstein intent on locking up Orioles’ young stars? | MAILBAG

Question: Does David Rubenstein have any intent on locking up our young players like the Braves have done, and to some degree, the Rangers and Athletics? From: Scott Cleaveland via Facebook

Answer: Scott, when Orioles owner David Rubenstein met with the media last month, he mentioned that he had a social lunch with Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman in Sarasota, and did say that he had interest in long-term deals.

“I don’t want to use the word ‘confident’ because that would imply that I have some inside knowledge that I don’t really have,” Rubenstein said. “I would say we have some great players. I had lunch today with two of the great ones, Adley and Gunnar, and they’re obviously very talented players.

“I certainly would like the best young players we have on the team, and those are two I just mentioned to stay here in their career just like Brooke Robinson was here in his entire career. Jim Palmer was here his entire career. We’d like to have players stay with Baltimore for a long, long time [for] their entire career.”

So, yes I think he’d like to get some long-term deals done. It’s difficult to do so.

Question: How about posting the spring training batting averages of the players projected to be in our starting lineups vs. right & left handed pitchers as we open the season? I’m curious if anyone is batting near .300. From: Glenn Fuller, Laurel, Md.  

Answer: Glenn, spring training averages don’t matter. Managers don’t play matchups in spring training. I occasionally will include a spring training average, but Brandon Hyde says he doesn’t look at stats but how the players are swinging.

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.