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Offseason In Review: Baltimore Orioles
Leading off our Offseason In Review series, the Orioles.
Major League Signings
- Mike Gonzalez, RP: two years, $12MM. Also gave #52 overall pick to Braves.
- Miguel Tejada, 3B: one year, $6MM.
- Garrett Atkins,1B: one year, $4.5MM. Includes $8.5MM club option for '11 with a $500K buyout.
- Mark Hendrickson, RP: one year, $1.4MM. Includes $1.2MM club option for '11 with a $200K buyout.
- Total spend: $23.9MM
Notable Minor League Signings
Trades and Claims
- Acquired SP Kevin Millwood and $3MM from Rangers for RP Chris Ray and Rule 5 pick Ben Snyder
- Claimed C Craig Tatum off waivers from Reds
Notable Losses
- Melvin Mora ($1MM buyout), Danys Baez, Brian Bass, Chris Ray, Rich Hill, Jeff Fiorentino, Sean Henn, Jamie Walker, Bob McCrory, Radhames Liz, Steven Johnson, Chris Waters
Summary
The Orioles added about $33MM worth of veterans this winter while finishing a couple of ugly contracts in Mora and Baez. The pickups make the Orioles better in 2010, but to what end? Fourth place in the AL East? Perhaps the O's will eventually spin some of these guys into prospects, though a future Gonzalez trade is partially countered by the draft pick they already lost. Whether you liked the Orioles' offseason depends on your philosophy on this question: should a rebuilding club spend significant money for the sake of respectability?
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