Question: All this talk on local sports stations about trading players before the July 31st deadline. My question is: What are the Orioles’ goals with trading some of the best players? What would they like to get in return? From: Kitty Miller

Answer: Kitty, if the Orioles are not in contention near the end of next month, trading some of their bigger name players, say, Zach Eflin, Cedric Mullins, Ryan O’Hearn and Tomoyuki Sugano, looks like a good bet.

Their aim in trading them would be to acquire players who could help them in 2026 and beyond. The Orioles have traded away some prospects that could have helped them and now they need to restock the higher levels of the farm system.If they’re able to do that by trading away good players, that would be a positive.

Question: Do you have any idea why Tim Cossins was fired along with Brandon Hyde, but not anyone else on the coaching staff? Seems like a strange move to fire only the bullpen/catching coach along with the manager. Must have been some bad blood with management or players? From: Mike Taylor, Virginia Beach VA.

Answer: Mike, Tim Cossins and Brandon Hyde have been friends and associates for decades, and he was the only coach remaining from Hyde’s first staff. I think the Orioles thought it would be uncomfortable for Cossins to be here while Hyde was let go. I am a big admirer of Cossins and was sorry to see him go.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: [email protected]. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.