By Buster Olney

ESPN The Magazine

 

With Vladimir Guerrero waiting for a more attractive offer, the Baltimore Orioles are again considering the possibility of signing catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

 

 

In a winter in which the Orioles are among very few teams willing to spend big dollars, Baltimore already has signed catcher Javy Lopez, as well as shortstop Miguel Tejada. But their contract talks with Guerrero have stalled, and the Orioles are again inquiring about Rodriguez.

 

 

If the Orioles were to sign Rodriguez -- who rejected a three-year, $28 million offer from Baltimore last month -- he and Lopez would share the catching responsibilities, with both also sharing time at designated hitter. This would reduce the workload on both, and within the Orioles' organization, there is a line of thought that the extra rest could make Rodriguez and Lopez more effective offensively, and give the team extraordinary depth in the event of an injury to either.

 

 

The Orioles have offered Guerrero a five-year, $65 million contract, a deal which would dwarf any other contract concluded this off-season. But Guerrero is seeking a seven-year, $105 million contract, and the Orioles have gotten some indications that Guerrero might be reluctant to play in Baltimore. Now Guerrero is negotiating with the Mets on a three-year contract; if he were to sign with any team other than the Orioles, Guerrero would have to walk away from perhaps $40 million.

 

 

With slugging outfielders Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Beltran scheduled to become free agents next fall, the Orioles could upgrade their lineup now by signing Rodriguez to a smaller deal than they've offered Guerrero, and then pursue an outfielder after the 2004 season.

Is Pudge stupid rejecting that much money? Guess so.

Pudge is so foolish.

I really have to wonder where Pudge/Boras get the idea that someone will suddenly offer them a 4-year, $40 million contract.

Pudge is funny.

Vlad negotiating with the Mets? pff....

 

I guess Pudge will never get the point...

 

Vlad seeking a 7 yr/105 mil contract? pfff..

If the Orioles were to sign Rodriguez -- who rejected a three-year, $28 million offer from Baltimore last month -- he and Lopez would share the catching responsibilities

 

Is this number accurate? Other sources reported that Lopez and Rodriguez were given the same offer (3 yr / 23 mill). No way Rodriguez is worth 3/28 in this market. If he really rejected such an offer then he is a bigger fool than I thought. If the O's really made such an offer then they should up the offer to Vlad to 7/105.

Os are wasting alot of money this offseason, could this be another Mets type team?

Os are wasting alot of money this offseason, could this be another Mets type team?

yup, this is gonna go down as 1 of the worst spending sprees in the history of mankind. its so obvious they plan to spend all this money and dont even kno how 2 manage it......... tsk tsk

last time i checked Javy Tejada and whoever else takes the big $ deals arent pitchers :mischief