All about Tejada's return
Monday: O's making noticeable strides | Tuesday: Is Tejada making a return? | Wednesday: Spring training invites and 2010 expectations | Thursday: Updates on Bergesen, Reimold and Scott | Friday: Analyzing the 2010 O's | Saturday: Tejada, O's agree to contract
Sunday, January 24:
Roch Kubatko has news on Josh Bell: "Josh Bell is staying at third base, and he won't be rushed to Baltimore. Maybe we'll see him later this summer, maybe when rosters expand in September. I don't expect him to spend a full season at Triple-A and shut down for the winter, but performance will dictate how the Orioles handle him.
As long as Miguel Tejada can handle the hot corner without burning his fingers, the Orioles won't have to seek alternatives. But they weren't going to rush Bell, no matter who joined Cesar Izturis on the left side of the infield." [masnsports.com]
Jeff Zrebiec reports on the Miguel Tejada agreement: "In a somewhat surprising move that goes against several of Andy MacPhail's tendencies, the Orioles agreed to terms Saturday on a one-year, $6 million deal with Tejada to be the team's regular third baseman, a role he has never filled in his 13-year big league career.
The deal won't be complete until Tejada passes a physical, which is scheduled for Tuesday. MacPhail, the Orioles' president of baseball operations, didn't deny an agreement had been reached when he was asked about Tejada on Saturday during a forum at FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center, but he wouldn't comment further." [Baltimore Sun]
Peter Schmuck weighs in on the Miguel Tejada agreement: "The veterans on this team want a chance to compete, and the fact that Tejada had 199 hits last year appears to outweigh any concerns about the negative aspects of his previous incarnation as an Oriole.
Don't know whether that will be the unanimous opinion of the fans. Tejada's involvement in baseball's problem with performance-enhancing drugs and the perception that he didn't always hustle during his first go-around in Baltimore figure to be part of any debate over the wisdom of bringing him back as a stopgap at third base while the Orioles await the emergence of top infield prospect Josh Bell.
But it's hard to argue that there was a better option out there at this point in the offseason, and it's even harder to argue that - those drawbacks notwithstanding - he isn't the right fit for this team at this point in its rebuilding program. The O's already shored up the starting rotation with Kevin Millwood and the bullpen with closer Mike Gonzalez. They also gambled that former Colorado Rockies slugger Garrett Atkins can bounce back from a horrible 2009 performance." [Baltimore Sun]
Jeff Zrebiec writes on Kevin Millwood: "In his first opportunity to speak in person to fans and the Baltimore media, starting pitcher Kevin Millwood disputed the notion that he's unhappy being an Oriole.
That perception is "wrong," said Millwood, who was acquired by the Orioles from the Texas Rangers in December for reliever Chris Ray. "If you're looking for me to get real excited, it's not going to happen. I'm the same way on the mound. If I'm getting my brains beat in, I'm not going to get too down about it, and if [I'm pitching well], then I'm not going to get real excited. That's just the way I am. Please don't take anything from my tone. It's probably not going to change all year."
Millwood's tone and his responses to questions both on the conference call with the Baltimore media after the trade and on several local radio shows since prompted fans to question his desire to pitch for the Orioles." [Baltimore Sun]
James Baker likes the Miguel Tejada agreement: "The thing that makes the Tejada deal good is the contract. One year, six million dollars with incentives that could make it seven. Not only it is a great money-wise but this could be a very easy contract to move in the middle of the year if Josh Bell is tearing through minor leagues. This is an all-around good move for the Orioles. Tejada's bat in the lineup makes the offense much more competitive and while he may have some defensive struggles at third to start I believe that Tejada is a good enough defensive baseball player that he will figure it out and be at least above league average." [The Orioles Post]
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apparently he's getting his number back. Adam jones's latest tweet seems to indicate that jones will be wearing #18 this season.
One thing Andy Macphail said during his fan forum with Dave Trembley was a hold up to the Tejada deal was "assignment bonus". I'm not sure what he meant. I assume he was talking about Tejada getting a bonus from some team if he is traded. Anyone else there hear what I think I heard?
@TRM
Jones was referring to the Payton Manning jersey he would be wearing while watching the AFC championship game. Not his Oriole number.