Surprise, Surprise: Tejada still angry

by Scott Christ on Dec 29, 2005 9:59 PM EST in News & Rumors

Source: AP

Disgruntled shortstop Miguel Tejada is "more upset" with the Baltimore Orioles because they haven't gotten stronger in the offseason than with the team not fulfilling his trade request.

"Now, I am more upset than when I requested the trade because it's been a month and they haven't done anything," Tejada told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Tejada, who is entering the third year of a $72 million, six-year contract, said three weeks ago that he wanted a "change of scenery."

On Thursday, the disgruntled All-Star said he was upset by the Orioles' failure to make trades that would strengthen the team.

"I don't want to say anything bad that can hurt my teammates, but look at Toronto, they have strengthened themselves and we haven't done anything," said Tejada, who hit .305 last season with 26 homers and 98 RBIs.

...

Tejada noted that division rivals New York and Toronto made moves to improve. The Yankees acquired outfielder Johnny Damon and the Blue Jays signed closer B.J. Ryan, starting pitcher A.J. Burnett and third baseman Troy Glaus.

"If the Orioles don't do anything, I want them to trade me because I am tired of losing," Tejada said before a winter league game.

If he isn't traded by the Orioles, Tejada said he would "respect the game as I have always done."

"I am not asking for a team of superstars, I only want a good group that helps me to win," he said.

Tejada also responded to comments made by former teammate Rafael Palmeiro, who tested positive for steroids.

Palmeiro has said Tejada gave him vitamin B-12 earlier this year, and suggested it might have been tainted with performance-enhancing drugs.

"Everyone knows that vitamin B-12 doesn't do anything bad," Tejada said. "I am not upset with Palmeiro, but enough speaking about that already," he said.

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Enough...

...We've discussed this thing to death. This guy obviously wants out, badly, and is staying well informed about the situation at hand...as he comes out with this just as the FO is making noise that he won't be traded to the press. He gave this info at the very least to the AP reporter who wrote the story and Rick Maese who has posted a blog entry about it on The Sun website, and who just happens to be Santo Domingo.

Get Manny & Clement (& some cash) now. The gettins ain't getting any better than that.

by Jonnypops on Dec 29, 2005 10:08 PM EST reply actions

Tejada is stoking the coals

This latest outburst is Tejada's attempt to fire up stalled trade talks.

Here's an interesting article on boston.com Birds of a wether. This reiterates the fact that money is the stumbling block, as reported in The Globe: Sox in hunt for Tejada. Clement and Ramirez are owed a guaranateed $22 million more than Tejada. The later article contains this howler.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press, citing a team source, said the Orioles agreed to a two-year deal for between $10 million and $12 million with 36-year-old Jeromy Burnitz, who would play left field and reduce the team's need for Ramírez. The source said the deal is pending a physical and was not finalized.

Yes, you read that correctly. The O's can afford to part with $12 Million to take on a washed up Burnitz to reduce the need for Ramirez. I'm not salavating over Clement (give me Papelbon), and the articles indicate that the O's should hope that Mazzone can bring him back into shape. I need to look up somne stats, but am too lazy at the moment.

"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 29, 2005 10:31 PM EST reply actions