Miggy Returns to Baltimore

There has been a lot of discussion online about return of Miguel Tejada as the Houston Astros come into town Tuesday-Thursday at the Yard. Anyhow, he was signed to a monster deal in 2004 to a piece of the puzzle to vault the Orioles back into contention.

He had a career season in '04, driving in 150 runs and slamming 34 homers; however, in the years after, he was very productive, but did not come close to his numbers the first year in an Oriole uniform.

Let's fast forward to 2008 -- he's now two years older than originally thought; he's gotten slower, and has been ensnared into the whole Mitchell Report mess.

All that above is the least of his problems.

He could be indicted for apparently lying to the Feds about his involvement in the Rafael Palmeiro affair, as well as his alleged drug use.

When he was with the Orioles, he was the offense force, but yet also perhaps was a detriment to the team through his constant trade demands, whining, also earned the ire of fans based on his play at shortstop -- which had started to decline in his tenure with the Orioles.

There have been a few articles in the Sun (here, here) and also Roch has opined about it, but what do you all think?

The Baltimore Orioles: What To Expect At The Winter Meeetings...

The Baltimore Orioles after finishing worse in 2007 than they did in 2006 with a payroll above 90 million dollars are looking to rebuild after a decade of futility.

Chief Operating Officer, Andy MacPhail is looking to perhaps rebuild around youth, and is open to trading anyone on his roster if it improves the organization.

Much of the talk in Charm City has been centered on flipping Miguel Tejada for talent, as well left handed pitcher, Erik Bedard. If the Orioles could also find a way to unload bloated contracts such as those handed to Melvin Mora, Aubrey Huff, and Jay Gibbons, they’ll manage to do so.

The player most likely that Baltimore will deal is Miguel Tejada. He’s probably one of the better hitting shortstops in the game, but his range at the position has gone down in the past few seasons and most teams would find him to be an ideal third baseman.

The teams that have shown the most interest in Tejada are the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers. A good reason for him not being moved as of yet is that the situation with Miguel Cabrera must be settled before he is dealt, if at all.

For the teams that do not get Cabrera, Tejada is a great fallback option.

The Orioles are right now trying to determine what to do with Erik Bedard as he’s a valuable piece not only on the field, but as potential trade bait. The latest rumor being thrown out there is that Dodgers are looking at getting him, as well as the Mets.

From reports in the Baltimore media, Bedard has not show a willingness to stay in Baltimore or sign a long term extension. He's still under our control for two more seasons, thus, they do not have to trade him.

With Bedard, the O's have the upper hand -- they still have him for 2 years under their control. The team does not necessarily have to trade him; however, his value may not be higher than it is now, and if the team is looking to flip him for young prospects and major league ready talent to contribute for the years to come, this may be the time to move him.

The Orioles should be expected to use the trade market to bolster their roster as well the Rule 5 Draft.

A New Player In the Tejada Sweepstakes...

For those of you following the "Hot Stove" activity with the Orioles, it looks like there is a new player in the sweepstakes -- the St. Louis Cardinals.

From St. Louis Today: Three days away from formally extending or rejecting arbitration to former World Series MVP David Eckstein, the Cardinals continue to explore alternatives that include the Baltimore Orioles' Miguel Tejada, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Wilson and free agent Cesar Izturis.

Tejada, the 2002 American League MVP, is considered one of the marquee names most likely to be dealt this winter, possibly at next week's winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn. But any pursuit comes with strings attached.

Also reportedly coveted by the Los Angeles Angels, Tejada is unlikely to move before Saturday, when clubs must either offer or reject arbitration to their own free agents.

I think the Los Angeles Angels are far better trade partners with the Orioles than St. Louis, just for the fact they have far more attractive options. Tejada, I think could thrive in St. Louis with Pujols in their lineup, but what would Baltimore get in return?

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Quick Hits: The State of the Orioles, Andy MacPhail and the Roundup...

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday out there and are enjoying the last remnants of the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Well, as of right now, much has not happened on the Hot Stove front with the Orioles at all. Understandably, that has some fans concerned and for a deal to be consummated quickly. However, we have a little less than three months until spring training, the organization should make a move sooner rather than later, and then rebuilding process will start to begin.

Keep in mind, I am going fathom that things are being held up mainly because of Florida's situation with Miguel Cabrera & Columnist Peter Schmuck of the Sun goes into it further in detail in his latest article. As well, I think some teams are waiting for the market to play itself out and as well pondering where a lot of big free agents (Rowand, et. al) and trade bait (Santana) end up.

This week, I and B have looked at some of the chatter involving Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard. For most, it is a foregone conclusion that Tejada will be an another uniform when the season begins, and the jury is still out on Erik Bedard.

Another very good reason for lack of activity -- or the perception of it is Andy MacPhail himself. It's not to say that he isn't doing anything, you just don't hear a whole lot from him. Well, in the past, he's built respectable, contending teams, so I am thinking he's just not releasing all his cards yet, keeping it within his inner circle and not releasing the details of any potential moves or deals.

At this point, I am just putting my full trust in him, as nothing else has worked the past decade.

I am sure a deal will be made one way or the other by the new year.

Heck, Roch Kubatko wants something done with the team, & Tony's Take wonders if the Orioles will go after Barry Bonds...

Spencer Fordin of the Orioles.com has a piece on the charity and community work that the team has done in 2007.

The Impact of the Torii Hunter Deal; An Overstocked Outfield and Miguel Tejada

With the signing of Torii Hunter by the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim, they finally have the protection that was sorely needed in the middle of the order for their slugger, Vladmir Guerrero.

Now that Hunter is in center field, Los Angeles now has a loaded outfield with Gary Matthews, Guerrero, Garrett Anderson, outstanding youngster Reggie Willits, and Gary Matthews, Jr.

However, what happens with all the players they have accumulated?

I say one of them gets traded --- perhaps Willits. Alas, this is where the Orioles come in.

As I mentioned a few day ago in a post, the Angels have targeted Miguel Tejada as part of potential solution to the left side of the infield for the past two seasons. With the trade of Orlando Cabrera earlier this week, it looks Los Angeles is setting itself up for a trade to get Marlins’ slugger Miguel Cabrera, or perhaps get Tejada as a second option.

That being said, if the Angels do go after Tejada, who do the Orioles go after?

With players such as Brandon Wood, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and younger talent in their system, Baltimore may be well served to trade Tejada.

However, there may be another player now part of the puzzle – Reggie Willits.

Although Willilts is not the big slugger that we all want and lust over, he’s an incredibly resourceful and talented ballplayer who batted .293 in his rookie year and was an on-base machine in 2007. In addition to his solid numbers, he stole 27 bases and would make an excellent spark plug in the order.

Well, he’s young and right now, real cheap; alas, he’s what the Orioles need, some young, good, plays hard, and isn’t afraid to get dirty.

The downside to having Willits is that obvious he’s not the sexy player fans want as he only slugged .346, and didn’t hit any home runs.

I don’t know is he’s the first player I’d choose from the Angels in a trade as there are more players with upside, such as Wood, Santana, Saunders and other young talent; however, Willits could be a serviceable player who would be part if the organization for a long time and for the most part, he looks like he could be a reliable piece of the rebuilding puzzle.

I would obviously include Willits as part of a package, providing we get sold pieces in return whether it is a pitcher, or a good bat.

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Miguel Tejada Rumors: A Tale of Two Miguels & A Move to the Angels...

The big talk amongst Oriole fans at the moment is not who will the team sign in free agency, but who will go via a trade. It may not be a question of if, but when?

Obviously, the biggest trade chip the team has is probably Erik Bedard; however, lest we forget, we also have Miguel Tejada who is being dangled. By all indications, there is scant interest for him and the Orioles may be ready to deal at some point.

Recently, the Angels traded away their shortstop, Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for hurler John Garland. That being said, the shortstop position is open and more importantly, the Angels are woefully in need of a bat to power the Los Angeles lineup, but more importantly protect Vladmir Guerrero.

One would think a move the best move for Los Angeles would be for the Marlins' Miguel Cabrera; however, Tejada might also be another option if Florida’s price is too high.

Cabrera would be perfect, as he is young, has put up prodigious numbers season after season and could be sign to a lucrative long term deal; alas, the downside of getting him is his weight concern and perhaps losing his effectiveness at third over the years.

Like I said previously – the price for him will be high; however, the Angels have enough young talent to pacify the Marlins. Now that the previous GM of the Angels, Bill Stoneman, is gone, thus, a move might be made.

Tejada is the fallback option if the Angels become stingy or a deal cannot be made with Florida.

Miguel is in his early 30’s, and still has a good bat; albeit, it’s thought universally that he’s lost his range in the field.

Personally, I think he needs a change of scenery, as the losing in Baltimore has got to him and there’s no hope in the immediate future for the organization to contend. Perhaps a move to the Angels will recharge his batteries and get him motivated.

I don’t think the Orioles would command as much as Florida would want for talent, and the Angels could afford to take on his salary.

Over the past few weeks, the Yankees have mentioned as a place Tejada could go, as well as the Dodgers and White Sox.

Obviously, he will not be going to New York as Rodriguez was re-signed, but the three other teams are viable options.

With players such as Brandon Wood, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders and younger talent in their system, Baltimore may be well served to trade Tejada.

He’s served the Orioles well despite his flare-ups, but when all is said and done, a change of scenery is best for him, and Los Angeles may be the place if they for some reason fail with Miguel Cabrera.

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Quick Hits; Tejada, the Yankees & Patterson

Well, again, not much happened at the winter meetings today with this team.

As I see it, the two biggest names who could possibly be traded are Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard.

According to the Sun, Tejada is drawing scant interest and it may or may not mean anything, but it looks like a lot of GM's are taking a little bit of caution and taking a look at all angles.

"I don't think that [Tejada] is on the front burner for a lot of clubs," one American League general manager said yesterday.

I would not read too much into the quote as it is only November, and there's still plenty of time for a deal to happen.

I expect for Miguel to be dealt as I honestly just think he needs a change of scenery, and he's still a heck of producer at the plate. His fielding; however, does not leave a lot to be desired.

A few bloggers, especially Ms. Mullen and Jason from My Baseball Bias have wondered about Tejada to New York. In light of the Rodriguez drama, he would be good fit for the Yankees, but I did not think the Orioles would ever deal with the Bronx Bombers, although Baltimore did trade for Jaret Wright last off-season.

I could be wrong.

According to the Baltimore Sun:

Though it's much too early to fit Miguel Tejada for pinstripes, it's not entirely out of the question either. Seeking a potential replacement for free agent third baseman Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees have some interest in the Orioles' star infielder, according to an industry source.

How much interest they have, and how willing the Orioles will be to trade their most accomplished player to a division rival remains to be seen. One of several reasons the Orioles balked at trading Tejada to the Boston Red Sox after the 2005 season was because some in the organization, including owner Peter Angelos, were hesitant to help out a division rival.

I envision Miguel being traded, but I don't see him dealt to New York. I see him being sent outside the division or to the NL. Furthermore, if I were MacPhail, I would want a piece of the Yankees' young pitching, plus one of their young ballplayers and I'm not sure that Brian Cashman would be willing to part with his youngsters or prospects.

Concerning Bedard, I could see him being dealt if the price were right; however, I'd try real hard to sign him to a long-term contract considering the scarcity of left-handed pitchers, especially good ones.

***



Meanwhile, the Orioles have not talked to Corey Patterson. Personally, I see him not being re-signed unless it is a last resort. He's a demon on the base paths, and plays incredible defense; however, he has been way too inconsistent at the plate, and although he finished 2007 strong before his injury, his numbers were nothing to write home about.

I'd like to see the Orioles look at more options before bringing him back. He's surely not lived up to his promise since being drafted, and at his age, who knows if he'll get better.

***

Sorry about the lack of posts, I have been busy the past week dealing with other issues and as well, I am working on an article for another publication this week.

The Teacher is In: Orioles 2007 Season Grades - The Starting Infield

Well, I'm going to play teacher this morning and assign grades the best I can to the Oriole players on the squad.

Some are going to like what I have said, and the grades I have issued, some are not.

That being said, let's begin.

We all know that the Orioles have more or less sucked this season, and this winter will be nothing short of critical in charting the course of the franchise in the future.

Today, I'll be doing the infield starters.

***

First Baseman, Kevin Millar
2007 Numbers: .254, 17 HR, 63 RBI, .365 OBP, .420 SLG, 140 games
Grade: C

Kevin Millar did as expected, in my mind. He's nothing great, but he helped the team a lot in July and August with his bat and then wilted in September. I think he's a suitable first baseman, but these days, the first base position is a premier offensive slot and the Orioles are surely weak there. He'll be back next year as he's surpassed the number of appearances in his contract to trigger the option.

He's an on-base-percentage machine, and he breaking the club record of consecutive games where a player got on base is indicative of his ability.

Millar is a great clubhouse guy, and a fan favorite; however, if I had my way, I'd like to see what's out there before slotting him back into first base.


Second Baseman, Brian Roberts
2007 Numbers: .290 AVG, 12 HR, 57 RBI, 50 SB, .377 OBP, .432 SLG
Grade: B

Brian is no doubt one of the faces of the organization through his charity work and interaction with the fans, and his 2007 season was solid and he's proven that he's been able to come back from the gruesome injury he suffered 2 years ago in New York.

He's a good all around player with speed, power and hits for average. Roberts did a great job at the leadoff spot in the order and was rewarded with a All-Star appearance.

He wilted towards the end, and it looks like he's grown frustrated with the losing; however, he's shown a willingness to perhaps tough things out and see where it goes. Brian looked tired towards the end, and perhaps struggled with some ailments along with the everyday rigors of playing baseball.

Whether he should be traded is another topic, but I think if the Orioles consider his age (almost 30) to be an issue and do a full rebuilding program, he might be a name (to the sadness of some fans) that could be moved.

Miguel Tejada, Shortstop
2007 Numbers: .296 AVG, 18 HR, 81 RBI, .357 OBP, .442 SLG
Grade: B-

On September 30th, Miguel Tejada might have played his last game in Baltimore. Overall, his numbers have been solid; however, they have slipped from when he first came to the Orioles. He's been the big bopper in the Baltimore lineup, always hit for average and has served as an important cog in the lineup.

Although he missed more than a month due to a wrist injury that ended his consecutive game streak, his 2007 numbers are in line of what expect from Miguel Tejada.

He's faced a lot of criticism for his play in the field, his fielding and perhaps more detrimental, his attitude in the press along with his waffling of being traded and actually wanting to stay with the organization.

I say he's traded at some point -- for young talent.

I said this on Oriole Magic: "It looks like the Orioles are going to rebuild and this time, it may be a slow process from the bottom all the way up, rather than adding pieces here or there. Honestly, if we are going to pay a guy $12-13 million dollars, we need to be contending and the pieces need to be around that player. There’s no point paying him all that money if we are not going to be competitive.

Sadly, I don’t see him staying, and if he does, it’s only because he could not be moved or the Orioles did not try hard enough. He needs to go for the good of the team, and we could possibly get some prospects in return."

He was a productive bat, but his attitude and sometimes lack of motivation got to him. His play has cost us games, and I say either trade him or hopefully he accepts a position change.


Melvin Mora, Third Base
2007 Numbers: .274 AVG, 14 HR, 58 RBI, .341 OBP, .418 SLG
Grade: C+

Melvin did what I expected him to do; however, the question is does he move to left field or do we keep him at third?

Honestly, he's a much better third baseman than I expected in the long run and he is productive, but is he worth 8 million per year? As well, is he a tangible part of the future of the organization?

I say no on both counts. Another fan and organizational favorite, his numbers have dipped and keep on going south. Is this decline phase of his career, or is it just the matter of aging? Personally, I think they should try to deal him - but, um, oh yeah, he's got a "no trade clause". He might jump at a move, but with his family here and a life situated, he may not.

Still, in spite of the criticism, he's still got a mix of power and hits for average, so it's not like he's by far the worst player on the team; however, he's not the same guy he was in 2004 when he hit .340.

At this point, I expect him to be a .260-.290 hitter with some pop and the ability to drive in runs, and be situated at the bottom of the order -- nothing more.


Aubrey Huff, First/Third Base/DH
2007 Numbers: .280 AVG, 15 HR, 72 RBI, .337 OBP, .442 SLG
Grade: B-/C+

If not for his hot August/September, I would have considered him a monumental disappointment. Yes, I sort of alluded that he'd be good for a .280 average and provide Miguel protection, but for the first four months of the season, he was one of the subpar hitters on the team and was part of the problem, not the solution.

His offense picked up in the latter half of the season and that gave his numbers a big boost; however, he drove a lot of fans mad by not being there at the plate when the team needed him.

Not much of a fielder at third or first, he was signed basically for his bat. His numbers have gone down since he left Tampa Bay, but he was counted on doing a lot more for the team.

Honestly, he showed us in the last months of the season he can hit, but you cannot get hot when the grave has already been dug for the Orioles.

Not to say he was the problem in 2007, but he sure did not help things at all.

Miguel Tejada Put on Waivers...

Well, Miguel Tejada was placed on waivers not too after the trade deadline, read this by ESPN’s Buster Olney…

Baltimore's Miguel Tejada and Oakland's Mike Piazza, two major stars mentioned in trade rumors during the summer, hit the waiver wire in the last week -- and one is now in a position to be dealt in August, while the other is not.

Tejada was claimed on waivers by the Chicago White Sox, who may be looking for a shortstop as they consider whether or not to pick up the 2008 option on current shortstop Juan Uribe, who is hitting .215 with 11 homers and 43 RBIs. But the Orioles and White Sox did not work out a deal to allow Tejada to go to Chicago. The Orioles will keep Tejada for the rest of the year, sources say.

Now do we think Tejada stays or goes in the offeason? Granted, a lot of teams put players on waivers to gauge their interest on the market after every trade deadline each year; however, are we assured now that Miggy’s time in Baltimore may be coming to end (via an off-season/winter deal?)

Quick Hits: The Game Yesterday, Tejada and the Rundown...

Well, the Orioles have had a week to remember.

Perhaps it has only gotten worse.

In light of their second win, defeating the Padres, 6-3; things might have gotten even worse for the Orioles. However, the offense led the way with 13 hits, and Bedard pitched a strong game before going out with injury. In addition, Albert Castillo homered for the Birds.

In a week where Sam Perlozzo was fired, a new COO was hired, the Orioles were swooned and then rejected by Joe Girardi, and now slugger Miguel Tejada may be injured and put on the DL, thus perhaps ending his consecutive game streak.

However, if he plays tonight, his streak is intact in light of what happened yesterday.

Before I go on, my comments I made about Tejada both on this blog and on the radio were quite strong and perhaps out of anger, but I think was more more angry about seeing him bat once rather than give an attempt to play half a game injured. I got quite a few comments and emails about the topic and quite a few people brought about salient points with Gehrig, and a lot of the other rule breakers in the game.

I do think Tejada should have stayed in the game longer, or not played at all -- but there's just something about the whole thing that bothered me. HRB of Demspey's Army brings up salient point and also evidence you cannot dispute.

Maybe I am just 'old-school', and like things done a certain way - I don't know.

According to the Orioles MLB site, Miggy has been diagnosed with a distal radial fracture of the left wrist.

It is yet to be determined if he'll be put on the DL, but I'm betting he may have to sit out a game or two, or three, unless a miracle happens.

And now Erik Bedard is hurting. Roch Kubatko has more on both Bedard and Tejada.

There's more on the game from the Baltimore Examiner.

***

David Steele of the Washington Post has more on the terrible day with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.

Bill Ordine of 'O, the By the Way' blog, has his thoughts on last night; yep, this is getting ridiculous with the Orioles. Well, everything bad comes in threes, right?

Now that Joe Girardi has said no to the Orioles, the team is heading back to the war room to come up with siutable candidates. A poster, Greta, brought up the point of leaving Dave Trembley in charge for the rest of the year; thus, at this point and the type of mess this team is in, let's see what we have got and more importantly, give the team some stability.

Matt Palmer of the Examiner echoes the same idea.

Rick Maese of the Baltimore Sun has a list of things that Andy MacPhail might want to considering changing with the organization once he gets comfortable...

***

What the Blogs Are Saying:

Oriole Magic gives us details of the Miguel Tejada injury, plus the series with Arizona out in the desert...

Camden Chat has had some great commentary concerning the week in Oriole-land.

Ben of Oriole Central gives his thoughts about Girardi and what the rejecion means for the Birds.

The Wayward Oriole laments on a week filled with drama, rejection and just things going flat out weird, as does Dempsey's Army.

The Oriole Report is not happy about this team, at all.

The Boys from Roar from 34 ponder why Girardi would even want the job of Oriole manager, and goes over the state of the organization.
The Orioles Insider illustrates what we all know -- he's waiting for the Yankee job, or much less anything better than the Oriole job.

My Baseball Bias has their take on Girardi.

"The Streak" -- Miguel Tejada, Dave Trembley and Respectability, Plus the Sancitity of the Game...

Once again, the Baltimore Orioles will probably make the news, if they have not already, because of the stunt by the team this afternoon.

As "The Oriole Way" has gone the way of the dodo bird and Cal Ripken is retired and gone, the team has never been looked at the same way.

It WILL NOT change after today, in fact, it may be worse now...

Well, last night Miguel Tejada got drilled in the wrist thanks to a Doug Brocail pitch and was take to the hospital for a check-up. He was perhaps hurting today, but decided to play.

Since, Miguel Tejada's has the longest consecutive games streak in baseball right now, he felt he needed to protect it (although in the past he's not made a big deal out of it).

It's a big deal to him.

It's still alive as Miggy felt well enough to play. Except he only got one at bat, and the team slugger bunted!

After he attempted to bunt (?) and got on, he was removed for a pinch-runner not more than a second he got on to keep his streak alive.

Here are words of wisdom from Mr. Trembley: "We all know the importance of what's going on in baseball, and Miggy and the streak," said interim manager Dave Trembley. "I asked him last night before I left, and he asked me, 'Don't you do anything until you talk to me.' He's earned that, and I told him, 'You've already seen the lineup. I've already posted it for tomorrow.'

Well, Mr. Trembley, thanks for completely bastardizing the game.

To be quite honest, Miguel should HAVE PLAYED ALL NINE INNINGS, not just an at bat.

Yes, the O's won; however, we will once again be the butt of jokes and endless criticism by the media because we "so-called" needed to protect "the Streak"...

The Orioles MLB site gets some words from Trembley and tries to report on it objectively, while Roch Kubatko, Mike from Oriole Magic and East Coast Bias call the stunt for what it really was...

And now Bedard may possibly be injured (hamstring)???

It looks like Dusty Baker isn't interested in the manager's job, although he said:

"To me, the Orioles are a great organization and everything, and my passion is baseball," Baker said. "I want to get back into managing, but only if the right situation comes. Right now, it's a bit early for me. At this point, I would probably say it's not the right fit right now. I'd like to fulfill my commitment with ESPN."

Baker said out clauses in his ESPN contract would complicate matters, too. But if the Orioles did contact him more formally, he would not need to interview for the position, he said.

"For me to get into the interview, my interview was my last four years with the Cubs," Baker said. "Why should I get an interview when I was with the Cubs [under MacPhail]? We agreed upon that."

Asked how he would respond if the Orioles showed serious interest in him, Baker was unsure. "I don't know," Baker said. "I'm just living my life, enjoying what I'm doing. It'll work out the way God wants it to." (Washington Post)...

Boy, this team is screwed -- it's not good here at all. Does this organization just have a stench on it that's real hard to get off or what?

Miguel Tejada: Fanning the Flames

As Baltimore Oriole fans know, last winter, Miguel Tejada wanted out of the Orioles organization as he perceived that the team was not doing enough to be competitive. In 2006, his name appeared constantly in the media as trade bait, most notably to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

However, this winter, Miguel is singing a different tune. This time he’s happy with the way things are going in Baltimore. In an interview with the Associate Press via the Baltimore Sun, he says:

“I am extremely content with the Orioles," Tejada told The Associated Press. "I don't think anymore about those things that they have to do to sign players. I am equal to the others and I am going to do my job on the field."

He also says, "I am not going to order them to make a contract with anybody, but I am the leader of the team and if I have to say something I am going to do so. I don't want to make anyone feel bad, but we all want to win and that is what we are going to try to do," he said.

I appreciate Miguel’s hard play and his frankness towards the situation here in Baltimore. To be honest, as much as the money lures those with the talent to play – almost all players who pride themselves on being professionals want to play on the biggest stage, the World Series and get a ring. As the team’s highest paid player and an All-Star numerous times, he’s earned the right to be outspoken towards the team.

It looks like he loves the game and plays 365 days a year, both in the States and throughout the Caribbean.

Even though he has been seen as a malcontent here in Baltimore, he’s the best offensive player on the team and a leader. From what I have seen, he’s been nothing but good to the fans in Baltimore, always willing to sign autographs in the park and sometimes after games.
He’s got 3 years left on his deal, and hopefully the Orioles can make him happy and put a competitive product on the field.