How will Orioles decide whether they’ll be buyers or sellers at trade deadline? | MAILBAG

Question:  Do you think there is a buy/sell games-back number from the final wild-card spot for this season’s trade deadline (like 8 games back or more sell, otherwise buy)? Or is Mike Elias likely to be a buyer no matter what due to the perception the Orioles need to make the playoffs this season or his job may be in jeopardy? From: Joe Knepley

Answer: Joe, I don’t think there’s a specific number that Elias has in mind with regard to whether he’ll buy or sell. I think they very badly want to make the playoffs, not because of the perception that Elias needs a playoff team, which is your reasoning.

I think the fan base, which doesn’t seem excited about the team, needs to see a winner so that attendance perks up.

With so many teams having records similar to the Orioles, it might be hard to make meaningful trades, but I think we’re at least a month away, and maybe longer from knowing the team’s strategy.

Question: Despite the alarm among O’s fans when we lost our ace Corbin Burnes to Arizona and slugger Anthony Santander to Toronto, isn’t it true that injuries have prevented both from contributing to their new teams over the past two seasons  Retaining them would simply have added two more notable names to our lengthy O’s injury list – – and not changed the team’s downward trajectory. Do you think that Arizona and Toronto are experiencing buyer’s remorse over those pricey acquisitions? From: Glenn Fuller, Laurel

Answer: Glenn, you are correct. Corbin Burnes, who might not pitch until September because of the shoulder muscle injury he suffered in Tommy John surgery rehab, has pitched in just 11 games for the Diamondbacks. His contract does run through 2030, so he does have several seasons to justify Arizona’s investment. Burnes has an opt-out after this season, which I doubt he’ll exercise.

Santander played just 54 games last year for the Blue Jays, and his shoulder surgery has prevented him from playing this season. His contract has three more years plus a club option.

I would say both teams regret the signings, but Burnes has a better chance of producing for his team.

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.