As you all probably know, the Baltimore Orioles held a press conference at 3pm today to re-introduce Miguel Tejada to Birdland. If you were at work — like I was — the press conference was online at orioles.com, mlb.com and wjz.com.
Both the MLB Network MASN Sports aired the press conference live. (Check out coverage of the Tejada press conference on MASN, the Baltimore Sun and MLB.com)
From what I saw via the Internet, both Tejada and MacPhail said all the right things and looked to be on the same page. I was happy to hear that Tejada was happy to have been invited back to Baltimore, and much like all of us fans, he wants to be part of a winner.
The man said he’s willing to work at becoming a third baseman and obviously help out the Orioles.
From the Sports Network: The two sides came to terms on a one-year contract last week, pending a physical for Tejada, who will be plugged in at the hot corner in 2010 for the first time in his career after 13 seasons at shortstop.
Tejada said while he knows it’s a different position, he was open to playing at either third or short coming into the offseason.
“It’s not going to be an easy thing to do, but I’ll have a lot of time to work with the coaches,” Tejada said.
The 35-year-old gets to make the transition with his former club, as he returns to Baltimore after spending the last two seasons in Houston. He played for the Orioles from 2004-07 before being traded to the Astros for five players, including current Baltimore designated hitter Luke Scott.
Tejada said Tuesday he followed the Orioles while he was with Houston, and is happy to be back in Baltimore, where he can easily transition into familiar surroundings. Moreover, Tejada said it’s a chance for him to be on a winning Orioles team, as they were never above .500 in his first stint.
“It’s not about me, it’s about everybody,” Tejada said. “Now they have pitching, outfielding, young talent. They don’t have to do too much to be a winner here.”
Obviously, he’s only going to be an Oriole for a year — or even just part of the season — unless another plan unfolds. However, let’s hope his words today can turn into action over the 2010 season.
I’ll be also be intrigued as to where he’ll bat in the lineup. Does he bat in the two-hole, or further down — like in the 5th spot or so? Certainly, despite some cyncism from a few people, he definitely will make the Baltimore offense better.
On top of the news today, Ben Sheets — a pitcher who I was really intrigued with — signed with the A’s. They agreed on $10 million, one-year contract for the oft-injured, but talented hurler. He was not coming to Baltimore at all, and for the amount of money Oakland signed him for, he’d better stay healthy.
Assuming Sheets can still pitch and stay in shape, I’d imagine the A’s would flip him for draft picks if he has a solid year at the trade deadline and they are out of the playoff hunt.
