Is Coby Mayo assured of starting 2026 with Orioles? | MAILBAG

Question: Do you see Coby Mayo starting his year in Triple-A? We have a squeeze at first base right now, and will need to carry a backup catcher, (unless you only carry Samuel Basallo, which creates the opportunity of losing our designated hitter if both Adley and Basallo are at catcher and DH), a utility infielder, a fourth outfielder who can play center, and presumably both Ryan Mountcastle and Tyler O’Neil. These are all good problems, but it doesn’t seem to leave any spots for another right-handed first baseman. From: Sam Schofield

Answer: There’s a lot in that question, Sam. It’s possible that the Orioles will make a trade to answer this before spring training, and there are occasionally trades during spring training.

It seems unlikely that the Orioles will carry three catchers at the start of the season. If they carry three during the season, it might be because one of the catchers has an injury that isn’t serious enough for the injured list, and the club doesn’t want to go with only one catcher.

With Taylor Ward, Colton Cowser, Dylan Beavers and Tyler O’Neill, they’ll need a player who can back up in center, and Leody Taveras should be that player.

Even though I could give you a 26-man roster projection now, it’s based on all players being healthy, and realistically that’s not going to happen.

But if all players were healthy, it seems the choice would come down to Mayo versus a utility infielder. The Orioles need a utility player. It could be Jeremiah Jackson, Weston Wilson or Luis Vázquez, but the guess here is that the Mayo/Mountcastle issue will be settled before Opening Day.

I don’t think the Orioles want to send Mayo to Triple-A yet, but they’re likely to use many players, although not as many as the 70 they used last season. Mayo has an option remaining, and if he went to Norfolk, it’s likely it wouldn’t be for long.

Question: Wondering about Payton Eeles, whom we got from the Twins. Baseball America describes him as a spark-plug type player, excellent defender at second, capable defensively at third and short. Do you think he could compete as a utility infielder?  From: 5Brooks5

Answer: Steve, Eeles is an interesting guy. He’s listed as 5-feet-5, and has put up some decent numbers at Triple-A Saint Paul.

Over the last two seasons, Eeles has hit .272 with an excellent .396 on-base percentage at Triple-A. He hit 12 home runs and drove in 62 runs in 150 games. He also has some speed, stealing 41 bases in 51 attempts.

Most of his minor league work has been at shortstop and second base, and he’s played some left field, too. He’s also filled in at third, center and right.

That sort of player is appealing to teams, and while Weston Wilson, Jeremiah Jackson and perhaps Luis Vázquez are ahead of him on the depth chart, the guess here is that Eeles could get some time with the Orioles in case of injuries to infielders.

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.