Things I have read

[Durango53]

The Orioles are moving Melvin Mora to third base, opening a spot for a free agent outfielder. They are looking to get into the Kaz Matsui-Miguel Tejada races. Remember, there's someone named Rich Aurilia out there, but he will wait until Matsui and Tejada have signed.

[Durango53]

Javy Lopez is high on their shopping list. They haven't ruled out Pudge Rodriguez. They're trying to convince Kaz Matsui to come visit Camden Yards. And they could trade for Derrek Lee any day now.

[Durango53]

Then there's Mike Piazza. Despite recent denials of Piazza's interest in being an Oriole, friends of Piazza have been saying for months that Piazza would be very interested in playing in Baltimore. But there seems to be virtually no chance the Orioles would have interest in him.

[Nanner]

I really doubt that Piazza thing is going to happen. The O's are really looking for an upgrade at catcher..... someone to play everyday, with occassional days off and Geronimo Gil backing up. I really don't think they want to spend the money on Piazza as a part-time catcher/DH.

And I just read the Derek Lee deal fell through. More on that.

Now, Mel Mora. I had read that they were thinking of moving him to 3rd base, and he said, "Whatever helps the team.".... he's such a team guy. :D :luvkiss: Now, apparently, it's going to be a done deal. They've asked him to play 3rd this winter when he's playing, and he sounds really excited about it. There also is the talk of Sparky (Brian Roberts) playing short and Jerry Hairston playing 2nd. Although either one of those could go in a trade, with the other playing 2nd. Then short would be open for Tejada. It seems that everyone's looking at the O's because they have the money this season. But they don't want to spend it all on one player.

Here's more on Mora. Check out how open he is to everything!!! :clap2: :D

11/24/2003 5:40 PM ET
Multipurpose Mora on move again
Orioles utility man expected to play third base in '04
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com

BALTIMORE -- Melvin Mora is on the move again, but this one could be permanent.
Mora has been the Orioles' utility man for the past four seasons, playing six different positions, including an emergency appearance at first base last season. So it was no stretch for team management to approach Mora about playing third base full time next season.

The Orioles have to replace free agent Tony Batista, but the GM duo of Jim Beattie and Mike Flanagan is focusing on signing two premium hitters, including Montreal right fielder Vladimir Guerrero. With the thin market of free-agent third basemen, the club has asked Mora to play third base next month in the Venezuelan Winter League.

As with any task, Mora is excited and motivated.

"Third base keeps you in the game, and I like being on the field," he said. "The only thing I don't like is being behind the plate. Everything else is great. They want me to stay in one place, and I have to be ready."

But Mora's health could be a concern. He missed a month with a strained tendon in his right hand and partially tore the medial ligament in his left knee after landing against the wall at SkyDome in September. Mora said he has been running the bases for the past month.

Mora did not need surgery and was out of a cast within six weeks. He began running full speed earlier this month and said he hopes to begin hitting by December.

"My left knee feels as good as my right one," he said. "I feel no pain. I have been running the bases with no pain, and the next step is to begin sliding. But I am fine. I am excited about Spring Training."

Mora said he plans to play for La Guaira Tiburones, the same club as Orioles teammate Jorge Julio, who has four saves in nine games. Mora will not play every day but instead will play third base and serve as the designated hitter three to four days per week.

Mora's experience at third base is limited. He has not played third in four seasons with the O's but did while with the Mets, occasionally serving as a late-inning replacement for Robin Ventura. Mora also played there in the Houston Astros' farm system.

Versatility is Mora's trademark, so the transition to a new position should be smooth.

"I need to play there every day to get the hang of it," he said. "You need time to react. It's a position that keeps you in the game. You switch to short to third like Cal Ripken did, you need time to react because the ball comes faster. But I am confident I can do it. I like to make plays."

The Orioles are courting Guerrero, who would provide some pop for a sagging offense. Mora said he would relish Guerrero's presence in the lineup and his strong right arm in right field.

"To bring a guy like Vladimir Guerrero would bring a strong lineup to our team," he said. "It would be power to the lineup. And that would be fine for me. Management has said they are going to do whatever they could to make the team better, and I am all for that.

"They came to me and said they wanted me to play third base and be in one position. I am 120 percent. I always prepare myself. Every night I am going to sleep [thinking of] third base, and the next day I am going to be working as hard as I can."

Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[PopTop]

It sounds like they could be moving more people than it seems they need to, at least that's the way my tiny little brain sees it ... I guess a lot of it really depends if they think they're in the running for either Little Godzilla or Tejada ... But another angle, and with fewer people playing new positions next year, would be to go get a third sacker, put Mora at SS where he's already had some good experience, and leave either Sparky or Hairston at their natural 2B positions.

Maybe they could dangle Hairston in a deal for a third basemen, or maybe he could be the starting 2B with Sparky getting time at 2B and SS next year.

And then there's the conundrum with all of the 1B-DH-OF names on the roster like Bubble Boy, Corinthian Leather (Cordova) and Gibby. But I promised not to mention them until Beattagan made a decision :D

[Nanner]

You said "conundrum".


:D



:luvkiss: