Adios, Miguel

by Scott Christ on Dec 12, 2007 5:23 PM EST in News & Rumors

I've been quiet of late, waiting for something major to happen that involved the Orioles, fearing that it wouldn't, and that we'd go into 2008 with roughly the same team.

Tejada should have been traded at the break in 2006. He should have been traded after the 2006 season.

He had to go. He wanted to go. And he wasn't adding anything that would be terribly missed, all things taken into account.

But I can't slam Miggi too much. Sure, many times he annoyed the hell out of me. He whined, he bitched and moaned and complained. He annoyed others by not running out ground balls and sometimes appearing indifferent to fielding.

Miguel Tejada came to Baltimore as an ex-AL MVP, one of the top shortstops in the game. He leaves a declining shortstop that badly needs to move to third base, his power failing him.

But Miggi did all he could do, really. He produced. The numbers don't lie.

Or, well, do they? Even just a little white lie?

Hey, Astros fans -- don't get excited. Just trust me. It all seems so charming, a shortstop who can go deep, even with less frequency than before. And he's a bargain on the current market, that's true.

But he'll let you down. Over and over and over again. I know I said he did all he could do, but that's relative. I hate getting into "clutch," but Tejada very often hit as the absolute definition of being un-clutch. Miggi will gladly rope a single up the middle with two out and nobody on, so long as you don't expect him to deliver with men on late in a close game.

The double plays will pile up as Tejada slams sinker after sinker into the dirt. His fielding range will kill you.

And if you guys don't win? Oh, man. Have fun with The Miguel Tejada Show, starring Miguel Tejada as a man who craps on the team, then says he didn't say that, what he said was...

Five guys for one? I'll take it. Thanks, Houston.

So, adios, Miguel. And gracias. Good luck in Houston, since I don't care what the Astros do.

But I can't say as though I'll much miss Tejada, even counting as well as he did perform for us. It didn't work. And I'm glad that before it got way too late, we've cut bait.

Maybe we really are moving forward.

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Comments

thanks for the memories

i'm truly happy with this trade, and won't lament his leaving. i can appreciate what he has done for this team and his presence in the community, but it was time to get him out of town while we still could.

in the "official" trade thread, the consensus seems to be split as to whether this was a good trade or not. i have one thing to ask the people who don't like this trade:

are you aware that miggy can opt out of his contract at the end of 2008?

unless you think that the o's were going to be contenders this year (and, really, who does?), then this is a fantastic trade. it addresses the o's short term and long term needs.

and waiting for the trade deadline to try and get something better back just isn't an option either. remember last year, when he broke his wrist? do you really want to take that chance?

first people were bitching about whether or not tejada would be traded. now that he has been, these same people are bitching about what we got back. news flash, kids: this team won't be contending for at least five years. if we were in the NL, or we somehow manage to resign bedard, then maybe it's 3. but for a guy who could skip town at the end of the season, i'll take my chances with who we got.

i recognize that it's been 10 years of frustration, and that many of you are now jaded to angelos and the front office. that's fair. but to immediately deride a trade because you've never heard of the players involved is just lunacy. did you honestly expect to get joba or buckholtz?

let's try and NOT be negative as a knee-jerk reaction, and see how these guys actually play.

look, all i know is that the guys over at Crawfish Boxes hate this trade. that's good enough for me!

Pitch fast, throw strikes, change speeds. -Ray Miller

by madhatternalice on Dec 12, 2007 5:35 PM EST reply actions

here, here!

and no, i didn't know he could opt out. is that part of his contract or one of those j.d. drew kinda union clauses? that being the case this is a fantastic deal.

the thing is we NEED parts right now. we are way the fuck behind on building up an honest to god organization, and the more pieces we have to tinker with the better. so i couldn't agree more with you on this post. good job, macphail...now let's get some even better shit for bedard.

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 12, 2007 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

opt out?

"are you aware that miggy can opt out of his contract at the end of 2008?"

Source? I just checked Cot's Contracts and there is no mention of a opt out clause after 08.

"i have one thing to ask the people who don't like this trade:"

I just wanted a bit more... I'm fine with Patton. The rest of the package is spare parts. Luke Scott is fine but he doesn't fit a rebuilding team, if he's flipped for another good prospect then my opinion of this deal changes.

"did you honestly expect to get joba or buckholtz?"

No, but there is a middle ground between Joba and Buckholtz versus filler guys. Patton is one of them. I much rather have another Patton type of prospect than Luke et al. Besides Patton, I doubt any of these guys will be with the O's in 3 or 4 seasons.

by birdman on Dec 12, 2007 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

opt

no, it's not on cot's, but it is referenced in the houston chronicle article about the trade:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5372325.html

"Tejada is scheduled to earn $13 million in 2008 and $13 more in 2009, although he can opt out of his deal after 2008."

The Chronicle is a pretty big paper; I'm taking this as gospel.

Pitch fast, throw strikes, change speeds. -Ray Miller

by madhatternalice on Dec 12, 2007 9:31 PM EST up reply actions

now that tejada's gone,

can we also ship out his pet melmo?

It's just a question of arrogant self-entitlement against drunken limp-dicked self-loathing--DaBB

by zknower on Dec 12, 2007 6:13 PM EST reply actions

i find it sad

a tear for no. 10

by thewaywardO on Dec 12, 2007 7:00 PM EST reply actions

Peace, bitch

Thanks for selling us a few thousand tickets every year and for a ton of good memories Miggy. I think we emerged as the winner from this one as your skills are declining and we received a bunch of young talent and at least one should pan out. If you were humble, Miguel, you would be very hard to dislike with the passion you bring each day to the ballpark.

by Baltimo on Dec 12, 2007 7:51 PM EST reply actions

No problem

I have no problem with this trade. I think we got decent value. We didn't make a spectacular trade, but a good one. Miggy's attitude had bottomed out, and to be honest I bear him no hard feelings. He was brought to the O's on the promise that they would build a winning team around him. They never made the companion moves needed and I can understand him feeling like he got duped.
Still, his bad attitude was infecting the team and it's better for both him and the team that he go.
His trade value diminished substantially after last season, and I think McPhail probably got as much as he could.
Certainly it's possible that the youngsters we got may never pan out, it's also possible that one of them could turn into a star, and Luke isn't exactly a decrepit old man. Yes he's 29 and won't be around for years and years, but it's not like they'll be wheeling him onto the field on a gurney. He's a decent but not spectacular hitter, which is about all that Miggy had become.
So they got a Major league ready player for sure and a few decent prospects in exchange for getting rid of an attitude problem and a big salary.
I'll take it.

by VT fan on Dec 12, 2007 8:05 PM EST reply actions

Dare I say it?

Rebuilding?

by Baltimo on Dec 12, 2007 8:10 PM EST reply actions

Tejada's departure

i will not disparage the man on his way out of town, and he certainly took the high road with his comments as he was leaving. but the time had come, and the Orioles are much better off without him than with him.

it's indicitive of his trade value that the best deal was getting five B-level players for him. MacPhail has a history of being VERY patient withthe major transactions, and if this is the best deal he could make, bully for him and the O's.

bottom line is this: the O's need to make more trades where they receive multiple useful players back. if 3 of the 5 of the players they got today turn out to be merely productive, the O's win the deal absolutely.

Luke Scott is not a prospect. but what he will do is give you .275/.365/.525 with good pop and average defense. granted it'snot at SS, but i won't be shocked if his offensive numbers equal Tejada's this year.

and, most importantly, the O's got rid of Tejada's contract, and got back 27 years worth of contract control. if half those years are spent as productive major leaguers, again, the O's win the deal absolutely.

FUCK MASCOT MILLAR and HORSESHIT HUFF

by Dave at Bottomfeeder Baseball on Dec 12, 2007 8:12 PM EST reply actions

Don't be surprised to see his numbers go up

He is playing in Houston where the left field porch is 12 feet away from home plate.

by Baltimo on Dec 12, 2007 8:23 PM EST reply actions

Career Year coming

Tejeda will bat .355 42hr and 140rbi and win the NL MVP!If Berkman don't steal it from him.

Ok maybe not but should have a great year.

This is a bonus in many ways 1. 13million gone to use on other players, 2. a cry baby B12 HGH using bitch is gone, so the dugout might be happier, 3. The O's made a deal and we got five players for 1.

by merdon1332000 on Dec 12, 2007 9:27 PM EST reply actions

Robinson Tejeda?

I thought he was a crappy pitcher for Texas.

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 12, 2007 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

I coud care less if it's an A or E in there

The drug using crying shitback is gone.

by merdon1332000 on Dec 12, 2007 11:55 PM EST up reply actions

If he used drugs

I can't see why his ERA was 6+ last year.

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 13, 2007 7:31 AM EST up reply actions

I think he meant Miguel

Also, Guillermo Mota used drugs and has sucked ass for several years.

by pipkin on Dec 13, 2007 7:37 AM EST up reply actions

I know, dude...

(I'm fucking with him.)

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 13, 2007 7:46 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, i know

It was 8 AM when I wrote that last. Hadn't yet woken up.

Plus, you never know with these crazy internets.

by pipkin on Dec 13, 2007 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

Well I guess

He used the wrong Drugs

Non laced B12 doesn't help as much

Ask Miggy last year

by merdon1332000 on Dec 13, 2007 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

Miggy who?

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 13, 2007 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

You know I really enjoy your writing, SC,

but I really have a hard time believing that Tejada lacks the clutch gene or whatever. If he did worse last season in "clutch" situations--which I've never heard anyone define adequately--it makes sense because he did worse overall. Maybe if the Orioles had some betters hitters over his tenure, every failure by Tejada in a late game situation would not have been magnified.

But anyway, I really like this trade for the Orioles, and I'm starting to believe that MacPhail really is the guy with the power in the Oriole front office instead of Peter Angelos. Really, Baltimore's needed that for a long tim and I'm glad if it's finally happening.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ @ Camden Chat on Dec 12, 2007 11:21 PM EST reply actions

he was a pain in the ass

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by Scott Christ on Dec 13, 2007 12:23 AM EST up reply actions

Hey, I am not disputing that.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ @ Camden Chat on Dec 13, 2007 2:26 AM EST up reply actions

Isn't he the reason

we started the Whiffy McGIDP nickname?

"If a bum like Aubrey Huff has that much fun, can you imagine how cool it must be to be a real baseball player?" - Rick Maese

by duck on Dec 13, 2007 6:45 AM EST up reply actions

No, I think that was...

Everyone but Roberts.

by punkrawka on Dec 13, 2007 7:33 AM EST up reply actions

Actually, I think ol' Whiff McGIDP goes back to

our beloved-- and apparently un-housecleanable-- batting coach, whose virtues continue to escape me.

I was going to contribute to the Alberto Gonzales Defense Fund, but I forgot.

by Titov on Dec 13, 2007 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

I still liked Miggi

But this was, at the least, a good business move. They cut 26 million from the payroll that they can now invest in scouting and development. As far as I'm concerned, if any of the 5 can serve as stopgaps for a couple years, it would be a bonus. Hopefully, the real prospects will come in exchange for Bedard and Roberts. I'm excited. After all these years, it looks like they may actually be rebuilding!

by Stanicek on Dec 12, 2007 11:36 PM EST reply actions

I like the trade

Keith Law likes the trade for the O's too, for what it's worth.

Of course, part of that is that the Astros are kinda crazy for thinking they can contend next year. And now they have nothing in the ol' farm system.

by pipkin on Dec 12, 2007 11:37 PM EST reply actions

The Astros

have Roy Oswalt and some good hitters. The Cubs won this division last year, people. The Cubs.

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Dec 13, 2007 6:09 AM EST up reply actions

point taken

But they also have only three legit starters, one of whom is Wandy Rodriguez. They have Chad Qualls in the bullpen and little else. They have some guy named Bourne as their new CFer. They're lacking at 3B and whichever of 1B/RF that Berkman doesn't play. With Carlos Lee and Miguel their defense on the left side is going to be abominable.

Plus, Ed Wade is their GM and their farm system is now basically empty.

by pipkin on Dec 13, 2007 7:39 AM EST up reply actions

They're lacking at third?

Melvin Mora to the rescue!

oriolesupdate.blogspot.com

by BrianS on Dec 13, 2007 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

re:

They have some guy named Bourne as their new CFer.

I must uncover the Bourne identity!

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by Scott Christ on Dec 13, 2007 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

(groan)

Here's hoping that guy flames out so we don't have a host of similar headlines...

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ @ Camden Chat on Dec 14, 2007 6:17 AM EST up reply actions

Is that

a BOURNE ULTIMATUM????

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Dec 14, 2007 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

RE:

That's Ed Wade's influence. The guy is terrible. If you talk to any Philly fan; they still talk about how much they hate Wade.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Dec 13, 2007 8:34 AM EST up reply actions

which speaks to the ignorance of the philly fan...

obviously, wade has a bunch of shortcomings as a gm, but unless i am mistaken (and i din't think i am), hamels, myers, rollins, utley, howard and burrell were all wade draft picks, victorino was a rule 5 under wade and i think he might have made the deal got them abreu, too.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 13, 2007 9:04 AM EST up reply actions

RE:

He did have some great drafts; but some of the critisims are the David Bell, Mike Lieberthal contracts, the Schilling and Rollen trade, the no trade clause to Abreu, Thome, and Burrell (who Philly fans still hate). And the signings of Kenny Lofton, Doug Glanville, Mark Leiter, Kent Bottenfield...

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Dec 13, 2007 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

Rolen's a dick who forced his hand

What could he do? Rolen hated Philly and was basically dogging it to get traded.

Also, there was that whole drafting JD Drew even though he said he wouldn't sign thing. But then again, Philly fans hate Drew for that, not Wade. Even if it was kind of obtuse.

by pipkin on Dec 13, 2007 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

What's wrong with the Lofton deal?

He still going strong

by merdon1332000 on Dec 13, 2007 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

yeah, i dunno, you're right on that one

He traded him for a mediocre middle reliever who had a 5 ERA that year, 7+ the next, and then was out of baseball.

Only paid him like 3 million, too. He was above-average at the plate as well.

by pipkin on Dec 13, 2007 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

doesn't this tade for the stros...

remind you of late 90s orioles?

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 13, 2007 6:50 AM EST reply actions

more like the early 90's

Glen Davis deal

by merdon1332000 on Dec 13, 2007 7:04 AM EST up reply actions

We can only hope...

"If a bum like Aubrey Huff has that much fun, can you imagine how cool it must be to be a real baseball player?" - Rick Maese

by duck on Dec 13, 2007 8:43 AM EST up reply actions

re:

The O's (Peter Angelos) wasted Tejada. I certainly feel no remorse for Tejada as he was handsomely paid. However, the O's promised to build a "winning" team around him. Tejada's mistake was believing Peter Angelos and his inept franchise, while taking the most money on the table. After several years in the nut house, he found out the money no longer soothed the pain of playing for a chronic loser (You think you got it tough Miggy, try being a fan stuck with the team). Tejada was never the leader, but any enthusiasm he had was surely drained. That had to contribute to the declining performance. I look for a bit of a bounce at least until the Astros are floundering. The interesting question will be whether his fielding will get better.

As for this marking a change in the Orioles front office. It's a step. I think everyone and their brother knew Tejada had to go after he began the public griping that "wasn't" griping. Pete was just a few years too late in understanding that. The real proof that MacPhail has leeway will be when Roberts is traded (and I suspect there won't be much push back from Roberts). Bedard is expected to go, as no one expects him to sign on for an extended tour in the asylum. He's also the one player that should bring an impressive return.