FORT LAUDERDALE � When he learned Miguel Cabrera of the Marlins would be Venezuela's third baseman for the World Baseball Classic, Baltimore's Melvin Mora decided not to play.

 

Mora, the Orioles' third baseman, was told he would play center field. He is seeking an extension and is in the final year of his contract, so he told Venezuela team officials that he wouldn't make the switch.

 

"I apologize to Venezuela," Mora said. "They know how much I love my country, but I cannot accept what they proposed to me. I respect the Florida Marlins because they tried to push Miguel Cabrera into third base, but this is not spring training. This is a big competition and you represent your country."

 

Mora, 34, said he would have been willing to let Edgardo Alfonzo, 32, play third base. Alfonzo, who plays for the Angels, is going to play second base. Cabrera is 22.

 

"If it was Edgardo Alfonzo playing third base," Mora said, "I keep my mouth quiet. I respect Edgardo. I don't say that I don't respect Miguel Cabrera, but I respect Edgardo because he's played a long time more than me as a third baseman."

 

Mora last played the outfield in 2003 (81 games). Cabrera played the outfield until the last month of the 2005 season.

 

"I'd just like to have a little bit of respect," Mora said.

 

Marlins General Manager Admin Beinfest said no one from the organization had been in contact with the Venezuelan team about where Cabrera should play. Cabrera wasn't available for comment.

 

"This is going to be a [bombshell] in Venezuela," Mora said. "I have to explain to everybody. I'm not a center fielder anymore. I'm a third baseman. I cannot look ridiculous in front of a million people trying to catch a fly ball and [have] it go over me."

 

Mora, who will make $4 million this season, said his decision was based on a combination of his contract and position. The Orioles also aren't happy about the situation.

 

"I'm trying to negotiate my contract," Mora said. "If I don't agree, I'm going to be a free agent as a third baseman, not as a center fielder. The Orioles are my family, and I need to prepare for the season."

 

According to Jim Duquette, Orioles vice president of baseball operations, Mora was the first major league player to sign with his national team.

 

"I've got a lot of fans in my country," Mora said. "They are going to ask questions. I don't blame them. I want them to understand that I'm a third baseman."

 

Mora left the door open for a compromise, but it was clear any arrangement would have to include third base.

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-mlb...ports-headlines

 

He's got a lot of nerve to get upset that one of the game's rising superstars is taking his position. Who the hell does he think he is? And he would be alright with Edgardo Alfonso taking his position instead? Huh?

someone should get him some cheese with that whine

Boo f***ing hoo. While I understand him being upset it has nothing to do with respect. Im sorry Melvin but your just not as good as Miggy. Get over it and take your outfield spot.

I'm not REALLY dissing Miggy but...

 

Such is life among the egocentric. It's inconceivable how some spring games are going to affect his contract year post-season value. It sounds more like a temper tantrum than aything else. He'll probably wind up in CF when all is said and done.

 

Makes those Orioles-Marlins Grapefruit League games all the more interesting.

He's got a lot of nerve to get upset that one of the game's rising superstars is taking his position. Who the hell does he think he is?

 

Mike Lowell?

 

 

I think this is more a statement he's making to his team, which hasn't developed a single good outfield prospect in more than a decade and were talking about moving him to the outfield as recently as a season and half ago.

He's got a lot of nerve to get upset that one of the game's rising superstars is taking his position. Who the hell does he think he is?

 

Mike Lowell?

 

 

I think this is more a statement he's making to his team, which hasn't developed a single good outfield prospect in more than a decade and were talking about moving him to the outfield as recently as a season and half ago.

 

I don't ever remember hearing Mike Lowell bitching to the media about it.

Lowell only talks to the radio, undisclosed sources complain about losing playing time, Jack dropping or pushing them out of the lineup and not having their contract secured.

Melvin you'll look better in the outfield than Miguel would, take solace in that.

OWNED!! Mora you suck!

its about seniority mostly and defering to your elders who helped pave the way for you in many ways.

 

and you know what, i cant really blame mora for it.

It's about winning. Cabrera doesn't play CF...his natural position is SS/3B.

 

 

And Cabrera is a lot better than Mora. So he still gets to start for the team, so what if he has to play CF? It's a few games for his country.

 

If he really loves his country, he'd do it. What a panzy.

OMG! How could this be? "The great" Melvin mora isn't gonna play 3B?

Seriously, what has this world come to? :o

Melvin you'll look better in the outfield than Miguel would, take solace in that.

 

 

People always talk about how Miguel wasn't a good outfielder but he made some spectacular plays, especially in 2004. I remember he made a great diving catch in Houston that was pretty dramatic. His outfield fundamentals weren't the best and he looked like he didn't care sometimes but I thought he was pretty good.

You know, Mora's not exactly a bad player or bad third-baseman...I think he has a right to be upset.

 

That said, his logic is ridiculous.

It's doubtful any starter will play anymore than part time. Mora could get his PT at 3B as well.

Melvin, you need to shut the hell up. Did Marty Turco complain in the Olympics because of his very limited playing time? No.

What is there all this press questioning Cabs at 3B? He is better than Lowell at the position.

see....

 

 

some of you dont get it.

 

 

melvin is looking at things from a respect standpoint, something along the lines of you dont push a guy off his position for a younger guy that hasnt been doing it for as long.

 

that is why he would defer to alfonzo, he has been doing it longer as a sign of respect.

 

thats why miguel should defer to him out of respect.

 

 

take off your teal tinted glasses and look at it the way melvin is and you might get it.

see....

 

 

some of you dont get it.

 

 

melvin is looking at things from a respect standpoint, something along the lines of you dont push a guy off his position for a younger guy that hasnt been doing it for as long.

 

that is why he would defer to alfonzo, he has been doing it longer as a sign of respect.

 

thats why miguel should defer to him out of respect.

 

 

take off your teal tinted glasses and look at it the way melvin is and you might get it.

 

 

That's all well and good except for Mora's quote about not wanting to play center so as to not look ridiculous.

 

That's when deferring to others out of repsect and simply looking out for numero uno comes into play and undermines his argument.

 

(And for the record, I think Mora has a right to be upset).

see....

 

 

some of you dont get it.

 

 

melvin is looking at things from a respect standpoint, something along the lines of you dont push a guy off his position for a younger guy that hasnt been doing it for as long.

 

that is why he would defer to alfonzo, he has been doing it longer as a sign of respect.

 

thats why miguel should defer to him out of respect.

 

 

take off your teal tinted glasses and look at it the way melvin is and you might get it.

 

 

That's all well and good except for Mora's quote about not wanting to play center so as to not look ridiculous.

 

That's when deferring to others out of repsect and simply looking out for numero uno comes into play and undermines his argument.

 

(And for the record, I think Mora has a right to be upset).

 

ya and if Alfonzo is playing third he plays center with no problem.

I don't blame Mora. The guy has been thrown all around the field during his career and has finally established himself at one position.

He trully believes Miggy should play the position that he has been playing since he got to the bigs, which I don't blame him since it's a tournament, and Miggy hasn't seen much action there which can be trouble for the venezuelans, but as you think, you wonder, who is the better defender at 3rd? Melvin Mora or Miguel Cabrera, and if Mora is a veteran why can't he make an adjustment? HMMMM, seems like the venezuelans got the right man in Cabrera afterall. Take the field Mora or walk.