July 23, 200520 yr Ponson Is Subject of Trade Talks By Jorge Arangure Jr. Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, July 23, 2005; Page E08 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 22 -- The Baltimore Orioles were active in trade talks on Friday, some involving the long-discussed deal for Florida Marlins pitcher A.J. Burnett, but others over possible deals that would rid the team of disgruntled and struggling starter Sidney Ponson, whose days with the club may be nearing an end, according to one baseball source. Baltimore fielded several calls about Ponson on Friday and had at least two promising leads, one American League source said. In one scenario, which was discussed at length on Friday, Ponson would head to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for a mid-level player. Baltimore also would pick up a yet-to-be-determined amount of the approximately $15 million Ponson is owed through next year. If that deal falls through, the Orioles could re-start discussions with the San Diego Padres, who on Friday offered first baseman Phil Nevin, according to the source. Nevin will make $9 million this year and $10 million next season. That would be an even swap of high-salaried players. Another source said Ponson could be traded to the Rangers for Richard Hidalgo. All scenarios directly affect any trade with the Marlins for Burnett and Mike Lowell. Trading Ponson to the Devil Rays would save Baltimore money on the pitcher's contract and make them better able to afford more of Lowell's salary. Baltimore owner Peter Angelos's reluctance to pay Lowell's entire contract -- worth almost $21 million -- has stymied the deal with the Marlins. If the Orioles trade Ponson for Nevin -- who is hitting .265 with nine home runs -- they no longer will be willing to take on Lowell.
July 23, 200520 yr Trade still makes me want to vomit. And to all those who think this is the first domino to fall with the O's players being used as the bait, answer this: if these guys have such value, why the hell aren't the O's using them to acquire the "Barry Zito" that we all expect to come? Seriously, I hope something happens to save Beinfest from himself...this deal is terrible.
July 23, 200520 yr Trade still makes me want to vomit. 871269[/snapback] BoSox fan lurking the board here, and I can see why folks would hate this deal, or any of the rumored deals with Boston as well. If the White Sox really had as much on the table as discussed, it's going to be pretty sad if Beinfest does this deal instead. It'll be like pulling off the trade just to prove he could.
July 23, 200520 yr It seems to me Beinfest is still trying too hard to salvage this season. If we trade AJ, I say get a decent ML starter and if we make a run we make a run. I'd rather stockpile the young guys the White Sox are offering than get stuck with ML ready mediocre players.
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