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12-10-2003, 11:01 AM
....... from today's Baltimore Sun. Good news that Big and Matt Riley have gotten anoher minor league option...... even though they probably won't be going down to the minors this next season, but it's obvious the O's don't want to lose these guys.
Garciaparra unlikely Oriole
Like many teams, the Orioles have had internal discussions about trading for Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra since reports first surfaced that the Red Sox were serious about acquiring Texas shortstop Alex Rodriguez for Manny Ramirez.
Subsequent reports had the Red Sox sending Garciaparra to Anaheim or Los Angeles. Orioles officials say they would have interest, too, but they doubt the Red Sox would be willing to trade him within the division. So he's not likely to land in Baltimore.
Still, Beattie made an interesting comment yesterday when asked whether the Orioles were prepared for anything at the winter meetings. Without referring specifically to Garciaparra, he said, "You're reading about some things out there and you're like, 'Why aren't we in there?' So you make a phone call because maybe we have a match, too."
Around the horn
Looking to add veteran catching depth, the Orioles have spoken with Bill Haselman's agent about signing a minor league deal. ... The players union has approved a fourth minor league option year for Orioles outfielder Larry Bigbie and left-handed pitcher Matt Riley, giving the club the flexibility to send them to the minors next year without first having to pass them through waivers.
Players normally have just three minor league options, but special exceptions are made when a player uses all three before gaining five years of professional experience. Bigbie started playing professionally in 1999, and though Riley started in 1998, he pitched in just 16 games that season and missed all of 2001 with an elbow injury. It may not matter, since Bigbie and Riley both figure into the Orioles' major league plans for next season.
Copyright © 2003, The Baltimore Sun
Garciaparra unlikely Oriole
Like many teams, the Orioles have had internal discussions about trading for Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra since reports first surfaced that the Red Sox were serious about acquiring Texas shortstop Alex Rodriguez for Manny Ramirez.
Subsequent reports had the Red Sox sending Garciaparra to Anaheim or Los Angeles. Orioles officials say they would have interest, too, but they doubt the Red Sox would be willing to trade him within the division. So he's not likely to land in Baltimore.
Still, Beattie made an interesting comment yesterday when asked whether the Orioles were prepared for anything at the winter meetings. Without referring specifically to Garciaparra, he said, "You're reading about some things out there and you're like, 'Why aren't we in there?' So you make a phone call because maybe we have a match, too."
Around the horn
Looking to add veteran catching depth, the Orioles have spoken with Bill Haselman's agent about signing a minor league deal. ... The players union has approved a fourth minor league option year for Orioles outfielder Larry Bigbie and left-handed pitcher Matt Riley, giving the club the flexibility to send them to the minors next year without first having to pass them through waivers.
Players normally have just three minor league options, but special exceptions are made when a player uses all three before gaining five years of professional experience. Bigbie started playing professionally in 1999, and though Riley started in 1998, he pitched in just 16 games that season and missed all of 2001 with an elbow injury. It may not matter, since Bigbie and Riley both figure into the Orioles' major league plans for next season.
Copyright © 2003, The Baltimore Sun