O's, Conine Come to Terms

by therobotian on Dec 21, 2005 2:12 AM EST Comment 19 comments

The Orioles reached a tentative agreement Tuesday night on a one-year contract with free agent Jeff Conine, returning the veteran to the city where he had played for five seasons.

The deal, which will likely be announced Wednesday, is worth approximately $1.75 million with incentives that could push the former Florida Marlin's contract to $2 million for the 2006 season.

"[Conine] is a guy we targeted all along," said Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo. "When we talked about the chemistry of the ball club, we wanted him to be back. It looks like he's going to be in a lot bigger role, and we are comfortable with that. Right now, I see him playing some first base and left field, but he's also going to DH."

Though Conine's role will largely depend on what other moves the Orioles make this offseason, the 39-year-old gives Perlozzo some flexibility. The Orioles currently don't know who is going to be their Opening Day first baseman, left fielder or designated hitter, and Conine has occupied all those roles at some point during his major league career.

Conine, who played with the Orioles from 1999-2003, hit .304 last year with three home runs and 33 RBIs in 335 at-bats for the Marlins. Eager to add his bat into the lineup, the Orioles also wanted to inject his presence into the clubhouse.

They also discuss Javy's potential opening day situation:

Disappointed that he was displaced from the every-day catcher role after the Orioles signed Ramon Hernandez, Javy Lopez has his sights on either a trade or signing a contract extension with the club.

...

If he is not traded, Lopez will likely be used at first base, designated hitter and back-up catcher this season. Berry said that Lopez is apprehensive to play a different position in his contract year.

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Oh, right.

And they are non-tendering Byrnes. So odds are Conine will be playing mostly left-field, if I had to guess.

by therobotian on Dec 21, 2005 2:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

re:

"[Conine] is a guy we targeted all along," said Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo.

I always hate these quotes. "(Mediocre player) is someone we wanted from the start!" The whole giving the impression that you see something in the player that nobody else does and the fans should be excited about adding a 40-year old man to play left field every day.

B Roberts 2B
M Mora 3B
M Tejada SS
J Gibbons RF
J Lopez DH/1B/C
J Conine LF
W Young 1B/DH
R Hernandez C
L Matos CF

That seems about right. Wooooo.

"I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers?" - Frank Robinson

by SC on Dec 21, 2005 2:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

where's awesome mike

It would be interesting to stack the lineup SC just posted against the Red Sox's lineup with the loss of Damon. I have a gut feeling that I'll take our lineup.

by birdman on Dec 21, 2005 2:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

guessing the Red Sox

Mike or someone might know better than me, but here's a stab:

M Loretta 2B
T Nixon RF
D Ortiz DH
M Ramirez LF
J Varitek C
M Lowell 3B
K Youkilis 1B
A Stern CF?
A Cora SS

The thing is, they still have Ortiz and Ramirez. I dunno what they'll do about CF now, they could just try Stern and see how he does, but they could also try to make a deal if they want to. Loretta should be fine at the top and if Nixon is healthy he's a hell of a hitter. How good they are will depend on Lowell and Youkilis I guess.

"I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers?" - Frank Robinson

by SC on Dec 21, 2005 4:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

Actually I have to guess that CF will be Reed or Crisp, about whom I forgot the Red Sox were in talks.

"I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers?" - Frank Robinson

by SC on Dec 21, 2005 4:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the RS lineup

Even with Crisp or Reed, that lineup looks to be in the bottom half of AL team offensive ranking next year.

by birdman on Dec 22, 2005 3:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re:

Where is... careful what you wish for.

The Red Sox look to be struggling, but a collapse below the O's. I'll tip my hat to you next Sept if it happens.

The Red Sox will still have Ortiz and almost certainly Manny, and as SC said in an earlier post, we have to assume the pitching falls apart.
I think they feel comfortable starting with Youkilis. Lowell and Marte? I don't know. You have to figure they are not done shopping. That's a key point. While the O's sit rather quietly on the sidelines (resigning .200 hitters), the Red Sox will continue to look for ways to plug holes. The Red Sox may struggle for a playoff spot or even 2nd place if Toronto's pitching stays consistent, but let's see a show of hands for those who expect them to finish below the O's.

Now for the important question. When does Damon get his Yankee haircut?

"We are coming back strong next year ... I know you have heard that tune before, but this time it will literally come true." Peter Angelos 09/2005

by drj on Dec 21, 2005 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What's he gonna say?

"It's too bad we had to settle for Conine. There were about 12 other free agents I would have rather put in left field, but nobody else wants to play for this crummy organization."

It would be refreshingly honest I suppose, but then he'd get fired and we'd have another manager to paint a happy face on a sad situation.

Of course I get tired of hearing the same song and dance every year.

by rebop on Dec 21, 2005 8:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

No, the thing is, I believe him and the O's when they say they wanted Conine from the start.

"I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers?" - Frank Robinson

by SC on Dec 21, 2005 8:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That...

really is worse, isn't it?

by rebop on Dec 21, 2005 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Could've

Had Nomar for that.. 1yr/6million(they offered 4 +conine's 2)

PLay like you want it, Live like you need it

by merdon1332000 on Dec 21, 2005 4:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like the signing.

While I don't expect many on this board to agree with me, I believe it's important to look past the numbers.

Conine loves Baltimore. Guys on the team love Conine. Last season, between Ponson, Palmeiro and Sosa, our clubhouse was a model of dysfunction. As the Sun put it:

Several players acknowledged last season that the Orioles lacked a take-charge presence in the clubhouse, a veteran to mentor the younger players and take other players to task for unacceptable clubhouse behavior. Jay Gibbons said that Conine occupied that role in his first stint with the Orioles.

"He was pretty much Brian [Roberts'] and I's mentor coming up," said Gibbons. "He was my favorite teammate, a great, great clubhouse guy. ... I was scared to death, we had Cal Ripken on the team, and [Conine] just took me under his wing. We've been friends ever since."

Everyone agrees we're not really going to contend this year, so why NOT have a solid veteran in the clubhouse who can talk to Walter Young and people like him? Try to teach the kids about how you play the game. Jeez, it's a one-year deal. It's not like they're expecting him to anchor the 2007 lineup.

And by the way, a .304 average is nothing to sneeze at. Sure, it comes with no power, but his OBP is .374, which is better than anyone on the Os except B-Rob. So it's not like he's deadweight in the lineup.

I loved the intensity and vibe Conine brought last time around, and I'm glad he's an Oriole this year.

by zknower on Dec 21, 2005 11:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

re:

I think Conine's a good guy, too.

Last season, between Ponson, Palmeiro and Sosa, our clubhouse was a model of dysfunction.

Yup, and they're all history.

BJ Surhoff, age 39 (343 AB): .309/.365/.420
BJ Surhoff, age 40 (303 AB): .257/.282/.356

Jeff Conine, age 39 (335 AB): .303/.374/.403
Jeff Conine, age 40: you may see my concern considering they obviously expect him to start

Everyone agrees we're not really going to contend this year, so why NOT have a solid veteran in the clubhouse who can talk to Walter Young and people like him?

Moves like bringing back a 40 year-old Jeff Conine, retaining Gil and Newhan and other such crap while not doing anything of note are a huge reason we're not going to contend this year.

I loved the intensity and vibe Conine brought last time around, and I'm glad he's an Oriole this year.

74-88, 63-98, 67-95, 71-91 (traded midway through the year)

Those are the records of the teams Conine played on for us. And he was only notably good in one season (2001). Obviously it's not really his fault, but he didn't make the teams any better before.

Nice guy, don't see the tangible point of him as a starter is all.

"I don't see why you reporters keep confusing Brooks and me. Can't you see that we wear different numbers?" - Frank Robinson

by SC on Dec 21, 2005 11:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't mind...

having Conine around as a veteran presence, but the Orioles clearly need to do much more, and it looks like they won't. It's nothing against Conine, I just don't see any plan at work. But, God bless Conine for liking Baltimore so much and being willing to come back. He could have played for the Braves in more of a part-timer roll and had a chance to play for a winner.

by rebop on Dec 21, 2005 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's a good deal...

...yes he's an old man and his power is seriously lacking. But $1.75 mil for a guy who can hit .300, get on base, fill in a bunch of holes, and provide some good chemistry around the clubhouse is a bargain and a half. Given the hot prospect youngster outfielders we have right now this is a good patch for the meantime. Now they just better go out and get some goddamn pitching with that money they saved.

by Jonnypops on Dec 21, 2005 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

W. Young

Just a note to all you Young bashers. In his first year with the O's Boog hit 243 with 15 HR's 53 RBI's and .311 OBP. My bet is that given a full year Young will top those numbers.

by el gordo on Dec 21, 2005 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

re:

Boog also slugged .600 in AAA as a 19 year old. Young's power last year was flat out embarrassing and hes going to be 26 next year. I like the kid and want to see him succeed, but some of you guys are expecting far too much from Young.

by dtran2k3 on Dec 21, 2005 10:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You are absolutely right about Powell

And I don't expect much from Young. I see him as a guy who platoons 1B and starts at DH, hits in the .260 - .280 range, and hits 25 - 35 home runs a year once he settles into an everyday major league role. He's never going to be good on defense, but I think offensively he may be about as good as Gibbons.

by therobotian on Dec 22, 2005 12:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs