Midday mailbag: What about Holliday and the infield?

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Every weekday, 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.

Question: With Jackson Holliday’s promotion to become the Orioles’ everyday second baseman and with Gunnar Henderson locked in at shortstop, what do you think is the ideal long-term solution at third base for the Orioles?

Jordan Westburg seems to be a gamer, but the Orioles also have top prospect Coby Mayo, who has a huge upside.

If Holliday performs as expected, could you see a scenario where they move Mayo or Westburg and Connor Norby when their value is at its height this season? From: Adam Martin


Answer: Adam, I can see a scenario where one of those players is moved, but I can also see one where others are moved to make room for them. Mayo and Norby have shown some versatility, with Mayo playing first and third, and Norby playing the corner outfield, so it’s possible they all stay with the Orioles, too.

Question: How much more trade value do prospects like Coby Mayo, Heston Kjerstad and Kyle Stowers have than veterans like Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays? From: Dave Gruber

Answer: Dave, I think Mayo, Kjerstad and Stowers would have more trade value than Santander, Mullins and Hays because they each have six years of club control before they’re eligible for free agency. Though they haven’t performed on the major league level, they’re cheaper. Santander is eligible for free agency after this season. Hays and Mullins are eligible for free agency after next season.

Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

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