Well, Luke Scott – who the Orioles non-tendered this offseason – has signed with the Tampa Bay Rays. It looks like the Orioles wanted to move on from him, and sure enough they have…
From the Baltimore Sun:
Luke Scott, the outspoken, energetic slugger who spent four seasons in Baltimore and was named the 2010 Most Valuable Oriole, has agreed to a one-year deal with the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays that includes a 2013 option, according to an industry source.
Exact terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
Scott, 33, was in his final year of arbitration after making $6.4 million in an injury-marred 2011 that ended in July, when he decided to have season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. In December, the Orioles decided not to tender him a contract — he would have made at least $6 million and likely more — and allowed him to become a free agent.
Honestly, considering the way that Baltimore’s offseason has gone, I would have figured they might have given Scott an incentive-based contract. We all know he’s streaky and isn’t the best fielder out there; however, when he hits, he can help lift a team for periods at a time. At this point, he’s a designated hitter and he may not be a good fit with Baltimore now.
I don’t know if Scott’s views made the team re-consider, but he definitely was not part of the future. He’s on the wrong side of 30, could be costly, and the Orioles might want to give some younger players a shot.
Despite his Scott’s opinions and negative press at times, at least when I chatted with the slugger, he was humble, very nice, and always willing to speak his mind. I did appreciate that about him.
Scott always seemed to be a very hard worker, and appreciative if his opportunities. That being said, I hope he doesn’t come back and punish the orange and black.
