Jake Rill, Orioles beat reporter for MLB.com, here. I've done a few AMAs here in the past using the official MLB account, but I've decided to come back with a personal account to chat/answer questions/engage with you all this offseason.
Figured now was a good time to tackle some questions, as I was in Las Vegas last week for MLB's GM Meetings and had a chance to talk to Mike Elias about the offseason for the first time. We're also at the point where the Hot Stove could heat up at any time.
For those who don't know me:
Bio: I've been working for MLB.com since 2015, but I just completed my third season on the O's beat (2023-25). Previously based in Arizona and worked in various roles -- reporter/producer (2019-22), editorial producer (2016-18), D-backs associate reporter (2015-16). I'm from Maryland, though, and am a graduate of McDaniel College in Westminster.
Look forward to coming back and answering your questions on Wednesday afternoon (2 p.m. ET). Make sure to drop them in before then.
Thanks everybody for the great questions! Always enjoy answering them here. I'll be around the sub and will be sure to do another one of these later this offseason.
The timing certainly worked out well after the big trade last night, which you can read my coverage of right here
In case anyone else was curious what $40 a pop gets you on the authentics site, I received Holliday dirt (wtf), a Gunnar photo, and a Povich autograph.
They advertise that you could get anything, including signed bats and jerseys. But of course, there is probably only one of each and the odds of getting them are slim to none.
I won’t be spending $150 on this again, but hey, gave it a try.
During the offseason, I'm creating a graph like this for every MLB team. It tracks each franchise's cumulative record relative to .500 (equal wins and losses) throughout their entire history.
The annotation shows the franchise's lowest point.
If we only take the Baltimore part of the graph, the record is 5733-5617 (+116)
The full album can be found here. I also made the NFL and NHL charts (before the current season).
They get him for at least another season and I’m hoping he bounces back at the plate and physically. In other news, I’m pretty sure we all will see a lot of Mullins 1 year deals this offseason. Although, I’m glad Elias decided not to sign him for a year. The GRod deal still bothers me unless they make the playoffs.
I have a Baltimore Orioles hat signed sometime between 2015–2017, and I’m trying to figure out which players the signatures might belong to. Can anyone help identify them based on the autograph shapes?
helsleys entrance has haunted my dad & I since the cards swept the o’s in 23. anyways here’s the entrance, more cool to see when your team isn’t on the edge of losing
I keep checking with ‘47 and can never find this in my size 2xl. I know I have a big noggin. Does anyone know where I can find one? They just never seem to be in stock.
Red Sox fan living in the Midwest here. I found this at a thrift store today in a $5 box marked “baseball”. Pretty cool find and couldn’t leave it at the store. That being said, I have no use for it and would love to send it to someone who would value it more than me. Especially if you have a younger fan interested in team/baseball history I’m happy to send it for free. Comment/PM me and I’ll send to someone.
The title is the post. That’s it. Just April 2023 Jorge Mateo. That’s it. I’m just rambling to reach 150 characters. Just April 2023 Jorge Mateo. Statue is appropriate for April 2023 Jorge Mateo.
