July 9, 200323 yr Here is the LINK By Dave Sheinin Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, July 8, 2003; Page D01 BALTIMORE, July 7 -- There are 24 days until baseball's trade deadline and at least that many possible permutations of how the Baltimore Orioles' roster will look when July 31 comes and goes. As the team headed west today for six games at Seattle and Oakland, its future continued to be played out on cell phones and fax machines. While the Orioles prepare their first offer of a multiyear contract extension to pending free agent pitcher Sidney Ponson -- which could be delivered Tuesday -- they also are becoming increasingly aggressive players on the trade market. One team official today predicted the Orioles will make a minimum of two and a maximum of five trades before the deadline. The first could involve first baseman-outfielder Jeff Conine, whose name has been prominent in recent discussions with the Florida Marlins. The Orioles are interested in 27-year-old first baseman Derrek Lee, and talks are ongoing. A Conine-for-Lee trade would fit the description of what the Orioles want to accomplish before the trade deadline. As teams fall into their respective camps as buyers and sellers, the Orioles are somewhere in between. At 39-46 and 14 games out of first place entering Tuesday's series opener in Seattle, they are looking neither to dump payroll in exchange for prospects nor bulk up for the stretch run. Instead, the Orioles are looking for young players ready to make them contenders in 2004 and beyond, with a particular emphasis on acquiring a cleanup hitter. Lee, who is 10 years younger than Conine and whom the Orioles believe has 40-homer potential at Camden Yards, fits the description. Team officials stress that anyone on the Orioles' roster is available. "We've got guys we would move, but we're not really selling," director of baseball administration Ed Kenney said. "We're not trying to dump salary. But if someone wants to pay appropriate value, we're prepared to move players, and that includes everyone on the team. "This is a team that has finished in fourth place the last few years. We're not breaking up the '27 Yankees." There is a sense within the B&O Warehouse that the Orioles -- with at least a half-dozen players coveted by contenders -- are in position to give the team its biggest reshaping since the infamous Syd Thrift salary purge of 2000, when they traded six veterans for mostly prospects, few of whom panned out. With the Orioles quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most aggressive trade-seekers this summer, contending teams are gravitating toward the usual suspects: Starting pitchers Ponson and Jason Johnson, power-hitting third baseman Tony Batista, versatile position players Conine and Melvin Mora, and relievers Buddy Groom, Kerry Ligtenberg and B.J. Ryan. In return for players such as those, the Orioles would want, at a minimum, "two sure-fire prospects who can play in the majors next year, if not by Opening Day then by the all-star break," according to Kenney. The question of Ponson's future in the organization could become clearer after the team faxes its initial proposal -- which most likely will be for three years -- to agent Barry Praver this week. The Orioles want to gauge Ponson's willingness to re-sign with them before they decide whether to trade him. The Orioles' trade goals have changed since Opening Day, with the emergence of Mora (league-leading .361 average) and center fielder Luis Matos (.354) as offensive forces. At one time, the Orioles coveted Kansas City Royals center fielder Carlos Beltran; Matos has persuaded them to back off. "Matos has changed things quite a bit," Kenney said. "The way he's played, he's someone we think can be our center fielder next Opening Day -- even though he still has a ways to go to show he's a solid big-league player." Likewise, Mora, a utility player who has been playing primarily in left field this season, has become option 1-B at third base if the Orioles cannot acquire a younger player such as Joe Crede of the Chicago White Sox. Even if the Orioles do land a third baseman, Mora has earned a regular spot in their lineup next season -- if not a regular spot in their defense. "To trade him," Manager Mike Hargrove said of Mora, "I think it would have to be an awfully, awfully good deal for us to do that." The Orioles' careful spending this offseason -- they failed to land high-profile free agents such as Ivan Rodriguez and Cliff Floyd when they would not meet the players' monetary demands -- has left the team in position to spend this summer. Under one scenario being discussed in the Conine/Lee talks, the Orioles would eat a prorated portion of Conine's $4.25 million salary and some or all of the $5 million he is owed beyond this season. Lee also makes $4.25 million this season, but he is expected to make up to $7 million as a sixth-year arbitration-eligible player next season. Conine would have mixed feelings about a trade to the Marlins, where he played from their inaugural season of 1993 through the World Series championship team of 1997, and where he is still beloved enough to be called "Mr. Marlin." The Marlins even have a Jeff Conine Bobblehead Day scheduled for July 20. "Every year when the trade deadline comes up, it seems like my name is tossed around," he said. "If it happens, it happens. But I've always loved playing for the Orioles."
July 9, 200323 yr If I were an Oriole fan, I would be wetting myself from the notion of actually getting something of value for a 37-year-old 1B with below-average power, below-average speed, mediocre defense, and a career OPS barely over .800. Oh, but I forgot...he's so clutch!!
July 9, 200323 yr If I were an Oriole fan, I would be wetting myself from the notion of actually getting something of value for a 37-year-old 1B with below-average power, below-average speed, mediocre defense, and a career OPS barely over .800. Oh, but I forgot...he's so clutch!! LOL! The voice of reason stirs again...cant believe some of these posters are defending a salary dump...
July 9, 200323 yr here's another conine......... O's notes: Conine to Marlins? By Gary Washburn / MLB.com Jeff Conine is still a favorite with Marlins fans. (Gail Burton/AP) SEATTLE -- Jeff Conine prefers to stay a Baltimore Oriole. But he knows it's not his choice. So if he were to be traded, Florida would be a desirable destination. "It's where I live," he said Tuesday. "You look at places that are desirable: It's where you live or a contending team. If you have to go somewhere, that's where you want to go." The Orioles and Florida Marlins are discussing a deal that would send the 37-year-old Conine to his former team for first baseman Derrek Lee, a gifted 27-year-old slugger whose left-handed power stroke would be a suitable fit at Camden Yards. According to team sources, the Marlins approached the Orioles about the deal and the sides are still negotiating. Executive vice president of baseball operations Jim Beattie said the Marlins are one of many clubs the Orioles are talking trade with. "We are also talking to Detroit and Pittsburgh," he said Tuesday. "We've been talking to every club. Things might happen in the offseason. It's a time of the year where the phones come alive. You could probably write that about any club. We're talking to a lot of teams." Conine won a World Series with the Marlins in 1997 and is still a fan favorite. The club is even having a Jeff Conine Bobblehead Night on July 20 at Pro Player Stadium. But despite living in nearby Weston, Fla., and having family and friends in the South Florida area, it is no certainty that Conine wants to return there. He has established a niche in Baltimore. His hard work, production and leadership are appreciated by the organization. Club officials are privately pondering whether trading Conine would disturb team chemistry. He is a bona fide leader, and his younger teammates have said they feed off his intensity. "He's one of the guys that we have that is rock steady," Orioles manager Mike Hargrove said. "He knows the value of hard work, and I think our players pick up on that. Does that mean he's indispensable? No. But we like him a lot." Conine said he will play on until something materializes. He personally hopes it doesn't. "This is my fifth year here. I enjoy Baltimore," he said. "I love the stadium. I like everything about it, and I love to be here when we're a contending playoff team. I think that place could be a special place." He does, however, realize the organization is in a transition period and many of the veterans will not be there in 2005. "I think everybody here knows that there could be a lot of changes next year with our team,," he said. "A lot of contracts that are up and a lot of money is going to be freed up next year, and it could have a completely different look. And I am sure if something attractive comes their way now, they are going to take a look at it."
July 9, 200323 yr If we can get a better run producer than Lee and a quality reliever, for a guy that most likely won't be around next year, why not do it. and hey it even helps us financially. What's wrong with that?
July 9, 200323 yr maybe we can milk the O's for more if they think he is a lefty......hahaha.."yeah....uh, he fits pefectly to that short porche in right at camden, he does have that great lefty power swing....uh...so how about you throw in lightenburg and ponson??" lol
July 9, 200323 yr If we can get a better run producer than Lee and a quality reliever, for a guy that most likely won't be around next year, why not do it. and hey it even helps us financially. What's wrong with that? Exactly........
July 9, 200323 yr Exactly........ But we won't...it will be a straight up trade, Lee for Conine. Seems like everyone else is against this trade from the Marlins standpoint except you guys. Because so many of you have such a deep-rooted bias against Lee. Most of the baseball world respects him as a GG defender and a good power hitter with a high ceiling yet to be achieved. Even if we cant sign him, why downgrade when your trying to make a run? Unless you dont think we can make it?
July 9, 200323 yr im not the biggest Lee fan, but if its just a straight up trade of Conine for Lee there is no way they should do it. they want to rebuild with Lee and all they would give us is a 37 year old first basemen? no way, they got to throw in a reliever. we would pretty much just give Lee away when we can actually get a little more somewhere else.
July 9, 200323 yr Trade rumors continue to swirl around Jeff Conine. Conine would prefer to stay in Baltimore, but has been rumored in deals with the Dodgers and, most notably, the Marlins in exchange for Derrek Lee. The Baltimore Sun says that after the Marlins swept the Phillies over the weekend, the Fish pulled back a little in their willingness to make that deal happen. Source: Baltimore Sun More proof that this trade IS a salary dump...if we hadnt recovered from the Boston series these types of deals would have started going down...although most of the other players would have gone for prospects. With the Marlins continuing to win you can just forget about this and other salary dumps...thank god.
July 9, 200323 yr Trade rumors continue to swirl around Jeff Conine. Conine would prefer to stay in Baltimore, but has been rumored in deals with the Dodgers and, most notably, the Marlins in exchange for Derrek Lee. The Baltimore Sun says that after the Marlins swept the Phillies over the weekend, the Fish pulled back a little in their willingness to make that deal happen. Source: Baltimore Sun More proof that this trade IS a salary dump...if we hadnt recovered from the Boston series these types of deals would have started going down...although most of the other players would have gone for prospects. With the Marlins continuing to win you can just forget about this and other salary dumps...thank god. Obviusly it has to do with salary .....Conine will be a run producer than Lee and he would help the club offensively.Dereck won't be back here next year so I don't see nothing wrong with this trade.BTW Dreck Lee trade value is not all that high so it isn't like your going to ripoff a team for him.
July 9, 200323 yr Lee is a better offensive force, better defender, better play. If you want to continue to make this run you are hurting yourself by downgrading here. Why do you think that now that we are making a run the trade talk has cooled off? Glad you arnt running the show minus.
July 9, 200323 yr It won't be straight-up Lee for Conine. They will either have to give us a pitcher, or just Conine with a lot of his salary paid for this year AND next.
July 9, 200323 yr Lee is a better offensive force, better defender, better play. If you want to continue to make this run you are hurting yourself by downgrading here. Why do you think that now that we are making a run the trade talk has cooled off? Glad you arnt running the show minus. LOL better offensie force... :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol
July 9, 200323 yr LOL better offensie force... :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol He is...
July 9, 200323 yr He is... Please....................Dereck Lee is not better player offensively.All I have to is look at hitting while runners are in scoring position.
July 9, 200323 yr JEFF CONINE FOR DERREK LEE IS NOT A DOWNGRADE :blink: Jeff Conine. .293 13 HR's 63 RBI's Derrek Lee .260 17 HR's 49 RBI's Jeff Conine will not only bring clutch hitting and consistent hitting, he'll also bring out enthusiatic fans that jumped off the bandwagon from the 97' season
July 9, 200323 yr minus is right........ but I dont know if the trade is worth it..... but another run producer would be nice
July 9, 200323 yr Please....................Dereck Lee is not better player offensively.All I have to is look at hitting while runners are in scoring position. Put him in Camden Yards or any other park, and he hits . 275, 37 HR's, 110 RBI, 20 SB, and a GG.
July 9, 200323 yr It won't be straight-up Lee for Conine. They will either have to give us a pitcher, or just Conine with a lot of his salary paid for this year AND next. Wrong. Every article has said straight up. Only we have introduced the O's giving us more and paying this and that. Its straight up until we hear another rumor.
July 9, 200323 yr he'll also bring out enthusiatic fans that jumped off the bandwagon from the 97' season I couldnt DISAGREE more..... winning will bring them in bunches, Conine will bring in 100 more people
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