Another Thursday is upon us as this offseason drags along, and we now sit just two weeks and a day until pitchers and catchers report for spring training.
Joining the team in spring training this year and going forward for a very long time, hopefully, is former Oriole center fielder Adam Jones.
The news is no surprise by now that Jones has been hired as an advisor to general manager Mike Elias, as well as a community ambassador.
This may be one of the better moves Elias and company have made during their tenure on a front office personnel standpoint. Jones is still a legend in Baltimore. The unfortunate reality of the previous ownership regime alienated him after retirement, when it should have and had many opportunities to honor him.
Back in 2023, when Jones returned for his retirement ceremony, it was pandemonium. Now, someone loved by this fanbase and city gets to bring that love and passion back to his former organization in a position where he can and will make a difference.
The first main thought when I hear advisor to the general manager is very positive. A former player who has seen and partaken in baseball at the highest level across the globe gets to deliver his input in the direct make-up of the team.
As a player who played on both bad and great Oriole teams, as well as a championship-level rosters with Team USA and the Orix Buffaloes of the NPB, Jones knows what it takes.
This offseason has been rocky in the eyes of many Oriole fans, myself included. Bringing in somebody like Jones is a positive and also shows some level of accountability by Elias and the rest of the front office and ownership group.
Maybe the most exciting part about this hiring is Jones’ connection with the Japanese market. Jones knows a lot about and has spoken very highly of new Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano. Due to his playing time in Japan, as well as living there even after playing, this insight can be expected even more.
The Orioles have a really great opportunity to dive even deeper into that market now. After all, someone has to challenge the Dodgers for those guys, right?
The return of Adam Jones only further strengthens the connection between the current regime and the history of the Orioles. As Jones said on Foul Territory, the Orioles don’t do enough to honor the former players and history of the organization, and that needs to change.
There is such a rich history and love for baseball in this city that is being wasted, quite frankly, by not reminding fans of that love they feel every time they step into Camden Yards. Having Jones there to be the one to make sure the history of this team is treated better will go a very long way.
On the rumor side of things, earlier this week, there were reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks were shopping Zac Gallen, and the Orioles, alongside the Angels and Mets, have shown interest in the right-hander.
In these supposed talks, the Diamondbacks are interested in bringing in Coby Mayo as the return for the coveted soon-to-be free agent starter.
That is quite an interesting proposal. We saw last season the dangers of bringing in a one-year rental that cost prospect capital. We also saw how well it paid off.
That is a move, if the Diamondbacks are serious, that would substantially help the Orioles. Mayo, although another young top prospect who is ready to be a major leaguer, is not as valuable to this club as a front-line starter, even on the last year of a deal.
A move like this also just feels imminent after the signing of Dylan Carlson. That signing brings in another outfield bat that supplements Hyde’s platoon method and adds more depth. That leaves a number of young outfielders and prospects who don’t have a clear path, like Mayo, to be in line as a piece for more pitching.
As we near the beginning of spring training, a deal similar to the one mentioned may be on the horizon, and more rumors will certainly come. It will be very interesting to see if that pitching staff will look a little different in the coming days.
I believe it will.
What are your thoughts on Adam Jones returning to the organization and the offseason rumor mill? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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