After the press conference...
After today's press conference to re-introduce Miguel Tejada to the fans of Baltimore, the team's newest player said the Orioles were not the only team that sought his services.
"Before the Orioles, there was another team that I considered and they wanted me to play shortstop. I waited, because I felt this was the time to make the move to third base. When my agent told me about the Orioles, I said to talk to them, I want to go there."
Tejada, a six-time All-Star, was with the O's from 2004 to 2007. He never sold his Baltimore area home, partly because he never ruled out a return to the O's.
"Yes, because when I left here it wasn't because the team didn't want me. And I knew one day I would be a free agent."
Tejada was asked about what will be the toughest part of moving to third base.
"The bunting situation. That's something I'll have to work hard at. To see the ball coming hard at me is not a problem for me. I think this is the time (to play third). It could help my career go longer. Last time I wasn't ready to play third. Now is the time."
In his O's career, Tejada hit .311 with 102 homers and 429 RBI in 619 games.
O's president Andy MacPhail says Tejada's signing will not keep the Orioles from carrying a utility infielder and he doesn't expect to see Miggy at shortstop at all.
"If he makes the move to third, he makes the move to third. We don't want to move him back and forth like a yo-yo."
MacPhail also indicated that this signing could mean that third base prospect Josh Bell will spend most or all of the year in Triple-A.
"You never know, like I said, this is a game where things change all the time. But he hasn't had any Triple-A at bats yet, so I think that's a reasonable progression."
MacPhail also admitted again there is no certainty that Tejada will make a smooth transition to third base.
"You really don't know for certain. Our scouts suspect he's going to be fine, but like he said, it's going to take a while. But he does have the hands and arm strength to play there."
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
Everyone was worried when Mora moved to 3B and it turned out ok. He couldn't hit worth a darn but his field play wasn't bad. I just hope Miggy can still hit in the AL.
Steve, I watched the press conference today and a few things struck me. Was it you who brought up the matter of Miggy's "past issues" to Andy MacPhail, because I thought this sounded like opening the opportunity for Tejada to address the past without being pressured (as I recall, it wasn't a question and it wasn't directed to him, so this took away some of the potential uncomfortableness).
MacPhail seemed to deflect it and looking at Miggy, I thought I saw the "I don't want to go there" look in his expression. And although I'd have liked to have heard something from him on that, I can understand the hesitance he might have felt, because once he answered it could have opened the floodgates of tough questions that could have ruined the day.
Second, I thought Miggy came off as a far more humble and subdued person than the at his first press conference in Baltimore. At some point I seem to recall him actually saying something to the effect: "This isn't about me, this is about the team." And, of course, deferring to Adam Jones regarding the uniform number, even to the point of saying Jonesy is "the future." Cynics might say it's just an act and maybe it is, but it didn't seem that way.
Finally, the big surprise for me was how quickly MacPhail shot down the Josh Bell question, strongly asserting that Tejada was signed to play every day. Honestly, for all the talk about Bell, can it be any other way. You don't just tell an All-Star and one of the NL's top hitters that he's a stopgap. Bell is going to wait his turn, it's as simple as that. If Miggy's having another All-Star caliber season and helping keep the Oriole in the pennant race (nice thought!), then it would be the height of insanity to bench him for a prospect, however talented that prospect may be; if Tejada struggles, then all bets are off, but even then it would need to be a prolonged struggle and not a simple slump.
I see the former scenario being the more likely one and expect a big year out of Miggy. Good to have him back!
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I did ask Andy that question and got a somewhat short answer which was not unexpected.
Miggy handled today very well, I thought. He was most respectful of his new teammates, deferred to Jones about his number and was very upbeat. A best case scenario for the O's would be Miggy having a big year at the plate in Balt and Bell doing the same at Norfolk. At the trade deadline the O's could at least listen to offers for Miguel and maybe even pick up a prospect for him. We'll see, a lot to play out just yet............Steve
Nice to have him back. I think his insertion into the lineup potentially makes it one of the most consistent in the AL. I really do. There are no obvious holes from 1 through 9-- particularly if Scott can hold back the slumps this year.
I'm guessing Andino is our utility player. Regardless of who makes the roster i'm sure Trembley will make sure the guys dont get splinters in their britches from sitting too much. That leaves Justin Turner at Norfolk and available as an injury replacement.
WELCOME TO BALTIMORE MIGGY!
If Miggy repeats his 158 games from last year, that leaves Wigginton or Atkins playing 4 games at third. Since Atkins is going nowhere, do you think Wigginton's job is in jeopardy? Seems like Michael Aubrey might be the better option to backup Atkins and get some at bats at DH. Guess we'll have to see how spring training goes, but Wiggy has to be bumming. Would love your thoughts on it Steve. Thanks, Chris.
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Wigginton appears to be someone that will lose some at bats this year. But you also need depth in case of injury, so I think he still has a role on the team. He could also be someone they put on the trade market, although he didn't put up very good numbers last year.............Steve
Cardinals Sign Rich Hill
Padres Agree To Deal With Jon Garland
Athletics Sign Ben Sheets $10 M
Twins Agree To Terms With Jim Thome
Cubs Reach Agreement With Xavier Nady
Can we predict:
"Orioles sign Erik Bedard" by Friday?
MacPhail did say a late Jan. signing is likely.
Very Nice interview w/ Miggy Steve.
Did Tejada say "thankful to be the Millionaire I am" after your introduction?
haha gotta love Miggy..
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Thanks, Omazing. It seems to be looking less likely on Bedard according to some reports. But this off season has produced suprises like Tejada being here now so you can't discount it happening...........Steve
Hey Steve-
Great work, as always.
Any chance that you could scrounge up an update on Tony Butler? 2010 is probably a make or break year for him. I can't imagine him sticking around for long if his arm-strength has not returned, but I am still lured in by his former top prospect status.
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Thanks, TVZ. I wrote about Butler and some other injured minor lg pitchers in November and that link is here.
http://masnsports.com/2009/11/updating-injured-minor-league.html
If I find out any new info in the weeks ahead I'll pass along and we'll get more on all these guys come March.....Steve
BILLY SAID THERE'S 4 GAMES FOR WIGGINGTON AT 3RD BASE.. WRONG. TEJADA WILL GET SEVERAL GAMES OFF FROM 3RD BASE . MIGGY WILL DH A BUNCH ESPECIALLY WHEN SCOTT IS SLUMPING. SO BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND, AND 3RD AND MAYBE SOME DH I THINK WIGGINGTON WILL GET TO PLAY A BUNCH. ANDINO WILL GET TO PLAY SOME AT 3RD BASE SS AND AS A PINCH RUNNER . DIDNT ANDINO PLAY SOME LAST YEAR IN THE OUTFIELD IN THE LATE INNINGS OF A GAME? THE GUYS WHO DONT START WILL BE KEPT BUSY. MAYBE NOT EARLY IN THE YEAR BUT AS THE SEASON ROLLS ALONG ALL 25-30 PLAYERS THE O'S HAVE ON THEIR ROSTER BEFORE SEPTEMBER WILL HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVE THEMSELVES.
Hey Steve, any thoughts on who will be moving to make room on the 40 man? and what do you think of the Ben Sheet's contract 1yr/10mil?
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Just a guess, maybe Armando Gabino from the 40-man.
Sheets got more gauranteed money than I thought at 10M. He was really hampered from 2005-07 with injuries, but when healthy, is a stud. If he is healthy this year, the A's will have a talented young rotatiion with a 31-yr old in Sheets leading the way..........Steve
Looks like Miguel or Andy may have been reading these blogs. He said all the right things (or at least an approximation of what I suggested would be a good start the other night). So, I for one am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and let's hope for good things. Maybe he has learned his lesson.
Also, on your comments to my post the other night regarding the birth certificate issue -- definitely understand the point, and the perspective of the circumstances he came from, and to a degree the reasons why someone would do that under those conditions. But my point was it demonstrates a pattern of behavior. Again, I hope he has learned from these experiences that one of the few things money can't buy is your integrity (go ask McGwire, Clemens, Sosa, Bonds, and the rest of the 'roiders).
Since I live in NY and watch most YES channel NYY games I wanted to note a few things:
Jeter turns 36 in June, A-Rod 35 in July, Pettitte 38 in June, Posada 39 in August, Rivera is 40. They let go Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, & Melky Cabrera. X. Nady is in Cubbie pinstripes now too.
» Matsui: .344 vs. BOS, .373 vs. TOR, .289 vs. TAM in 2009
» Damon: Clutch Career... .296 with w/ RISP, 7 playoff appearances this century.
» Cabrera: .298 RISP in '09, .304 career BA vs. Red Sox & he was 25 yrs old, played with a bigtime fire, he made opponents know it's over when he was up in the high leverage situations (.307 career BA in High Leverage)
It's hard to believe the Yankees are going to be the same team they were last year in my mind.
A lot of their fans are starting to want what we've got. Young talent - and loads of it.
The Yanks are 1-2 big injuries away from a 3rd place finish.
A-Rod, Teixeira, CC, Jeter
NYY SP 2009 Pre-All Star
CC Sabathia (3.86 ERA 8-6 Pre-AS) *4.73 ERA in April(1-2)*
Andy Pettite 4.85 ERA Pre-AS 8-5
AJ Burnett 3.77 ERA Pre-AS *5.40 ERA in April(2-0, 5 Starts) 4.18 ERA in May (1-2)*
Joba Chamberlin 4.25 ERA Pre-AS (4-2 in 17 Starts)
Javier Vazquez was 2.95 ERA 6-7 in 18 Starts last year pre-allstar (Not counting his ERA b/c that's the NL) :)
That's a 4.18 combined ERA pre-AS excluding Vazquez.
Makes a lot of sense, win a WS then release all of those players who helped get you there. Sorry, but Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher, & C. Granderson have a .257 combined career BA - That's a LOT of slack to pick up by the superstars.
While I'm on the subject I just want to throw out a few more numbers vs. Yankees.
The Orioles Starting Outfielders TORE THE YANKEES APART!!!
2009 vs. Yankees:
Reimold .359 (14/39 3HR)
Jones .357 (20/56, 3HR)
Markakis .324 (24/74, 5HR)
Nolan Reimold also hit his 1st career HR off Mariano Rivera.
Good luck with Gardner, Swisher, Granderson NYY & their .257 career BA.
Great stuff Steve. It was good to see Miggy back in an O's hat this afternoon.
Being 22 years old, he is by far the best hitter the I've ever seen during my time as a fan.
I know he's not the same guy we all watched knock in 150 runs, but I feel he still has the ability to be a force in the 2010 lineup.
How huge would it be to this young team to see the motivated, energetic, and passionate Miguel?
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He is certainly a high energy guy and that can be contagious. He made a great second time around first impression today. What a sentence! Steve
I watched the press conference on the computer. it was a pleasure to see Miggy so happy. My daughter works at the hotel downtown where our players with no homes here and visiting players stay. I can assure everyone that Miggy is as happy as he seemed, and as ready to be a part of this team as he imparted. He'll settle into his home of course, but will be at the hotel at lot when his family is here. His family btw is just as delightful as he.
I am really, really ready for Spring Training now!!!
Linda
Anytime you have a chance to add a convicted criminal and known roider to your roster, you HAVE to pull the trigger on the deal!
Steve, since you're always quick to point out that you do criticize the team when warranted, I'm wondering if you'd be willing to list the five biggest mistakes the team has made over the last couple of years. I have a bet with a co-worker that you won't do it. Win me a free coffee!
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I've not mentioned anything about criticism of the team recently, but you are right about that, so thanks for taking up for me.
1) It's great they now have a new spring complex in Sarasota, but it took too long to get this done.
2) The club's baserunning last year was horrible.
3) The team should have moved Reimold to left field sooner in the minors. With Markakis entrenched in Balt, there was no reason to keep sending him out there in right field.
4) The team is better but still comes up short in international scouting. Some teams, like Boston, seem well ahead of the Orioles.
5) The team somehow needs to better get the word out about its work in the community. There is a preception of some that the O's do very little. Maybe this is because they don't insist a local camera crew show up every time a player goes to a local hospital or does something for charity.
Enjoy your coffee and now list the five things they've done in recent years that will lead to an improved team. This should be easy, even for you.
Steve
Bueller, Bueller, anyone home??? I knew you could put me on the spot but hours and hours later would not take my challange. Typical.
Steve..excellent interview as always.
Note: I am torn between you and Keith Mills co-hosting with Scott Garceau on MASN...Who do you like?
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We're both quality hometown guys from Baltimore. I have enough to do right now with this internet gig, how is that for sidestepping your question??? Steve
This is the move that is going to get the O's to the World Series....ahahahahahahaaaa,,,who cares. This is a 1 yr deal, he's rental just like Atkins & Millwood. The O's again fail to commit to any top tier FA's
Steve, where there any reporters there who dont work for MASN? What a dog & pony show that was. I like how McPhail answered some questions for Miggy
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After the press conference, all the reporters went to another room of the warehouse to get our checks..........Steve
I believe the signing of Tejeda makes a strong statement that the O's are committed to improving their on the field product. You can say what you want about Tejeda and off the field issues,but he is a heck of a hitter,and will adjust to the demands of playing third base. I hope that Tejeda represents a transition to allow Josh Bell another year in the minors to improve his overall skills. Having a quality player like to Tejeda represents another incremental step in improving the O's. We have a lot more to do,but appear to be heading in the right direction. Go O's...