When Andy MacPhail departs from his stewardship of the Baltimore Orioles, he’ll be remembered for an array of different decisions impacting a team he inherited as a doormat, in the AL-East.
MacPhail’s tenure has not been marred by irresponsible decision making. Such inferences would be unfair and quite honestly, uninformed. In fact, he’ll be regarded for pulling the trigger on perhaps, one of the most instrumental trades in Orioles history …..
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Along with Chris Tillman, George Sherrill, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio, Andy MacPhail swindled Adam Jones from the coveted clench of the Seattle Mariners. The bait? Erik Bedard. We rivaled in the O’s snookery - they finally ended up on the good side of a deal.
As we know, Bedard flopped, primarily because he’s not a WINNER and his makeup is fragile, from both a physical and emotional standpoint. He’s not tough - unless he’s chastising reporters and media-types.
The deal was quite lopsided and it certainly stood as a primary pin in whomever held Bill Bavasi’s voo-doo doll. Seattle’s General Manager was fired following the very public revelation that Adam Jones, Sherrill and Tillman for Bedard amounted to a late night stickup at your local 7-11 store.
For those who really KNOW and LOVE baseball, this guy was being hailed as a possible savior, as soon as the ink dried on the deal’s documents …..
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And, remember, just a couple months prior to the Bedard deal, Andy MacPhail pulled off another trade ….. sending Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros for Troy Pattan, Luke Scott and Matt Albers.
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On Wednesday, December 12th, 2007, the Orioles and Astros made the deal official.
Less than 24 HOURS LATER, Miguel Tejada’s career and life changed forever …..
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In interviews regarding the trade, MacPhail adamantly advised that Tejada’s prominence in an unflattering and divulging drug investigation had nothing to do with the deal.
Uhh, okay.
From a perspective of analyzing the fairness of the trade, I don’t think supporters, media or fans on either side of the transaction found it lopsided or ill-advised.
Tejada, while still a presence in the Orioles lineup, was coming off a season with “Un-Tejada-like” offensive production. And, he was beginning to exhibit a lesser SCULPTED look, in comparison to prior seasons …..
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2007
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2003
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Personally, I welcomed the deal. Miguel Tejada was fast becoming a predictably sullen player. He would commonly enter spring training full of enthusiasm and readying for another fresh beginning, in Birdland. And, that enthusiasm would leak from Tejada’s ego in the same way helium escapes a falling balloon.
By August, Tejada would crash. Optimism became indifference, and the eventual bad attitude surfaced for everyone to see.
I’ve never bought Andy MacPhail’s explanation of the deal - more than two years ago. He reasoned, “(it)was a function of trying to add as many talented young players as I could get for a very talented player.”
Really? I guess it’s just coincidental that Tejada was beginning to regress from a power perspective. His 18 homers, in 2007, was the lowest mark of his career, since his first full Major League season - more than a decade ago.
Ahh, but don’t despair …..
Miguel Tejada’s power suffered further outage, at Minute Maid Park, in Houston. That’s right, he hit 13 and 14 homeruns, successively, in his two seasons playing for the Astros - in one of baseball’s featured HOMERUN DERBY HAVENS.
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And, there is also this little problem with LYING to Congress. Yeah, you remember that, right? In 2005, while he was a member of the Baltimore Orioles, Miguel Tejada was untruthful with Congress, regarding performance enhancing drugs.
He was UNTRUTHFUL about his involvement with illegal drugs - when he was playing baseball in this city.
Heck, I’ll be honest about my blunt feelings …..
When the perjury revelation broke, last year, I was singing the praises of Andy MacPhail, yet, again. “No wonder he dumped the guy.” “Good for Andy - Good for the Orioles - Good for Baltimore.” That’s what I was thinking and saying.
In my mind I was processing MacPhails strategies to truly rebuilding the Orioles franchise and name. I sensed he wanted rid of “bad character” guys and the types of people who cheapen and tarnish an organization.
Don’t get me wrong, the problems and problem makers extend beyond Miguel Tejada …..
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The Baltimore Orioles have enough attachment to the recent history of Major League Baseball’s drug problems. Some would say the Orioles are prominently represented among the seedier franchises.
What’s the penalty for betraying a town and its fans’ beloved colors of orange and black ??? Miguel Tejada did things the wrong way when he was here. And, evidence exists to suggest he influenced other teammates.
That’s fantastic to hear, huh? On top of the eroding skills at the plate and the substantially diminished fielding range - which I haven’t even addressed - indeed, the potential for a far more substantial risk of bringing Miguel Tejada back to Baltimore is staring squarely at every Orioles loyalist.
He’s gonna be in the same clubhouse with this guy …..
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And, this guy - remember him ???
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Oh yeah, and THESE GUYS …..
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Does anyone see the real risk associated with affiliating Miguel Tejada and this Orioles team as ONE ??? He lied to LAWMAKERS and he’s done very little to offer up any contrition with the people of Baltimore, and the team it represents. Or has he?
Maybe Andy MacPhail and Miguel Tejada have reached some accord or peaceful ground. Of course, they have. But, where does that leave us?
A couple years ago, Andy MacPhail pulled a couple slick heists. And, the Orioles were better for it. THE PLAN looked promising. But, now, we stand here two years down the road and the team’s growth seems kinda thwarted.
No more slick trades - or eventual tangible signings. Oh, they’ve made some lackluster deals …..
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But, the players who came here really had one other option …. NOWHERE.
Get a good look at the ball Mark Hendrickson is holding in the above photo. That’s probably the same view opposing hitters see. Throw in Adam Eaton, Chad Moeller, Rich Hill, Ty Wiggington and a few others and you’ll get a good idea of the quality of players Andy MacPhail signs.
I’m finding it very hard to continue buying THE PLAN, when we keep getting served SCRAPS.
Maybe, I was wrong. Maybe, the Orioles will still be DOORMATS when Andy calls it a day. And, Miguel Tejada just puts him one step closer to making it a reality.
Tags:
Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles, bill bavasi, chriss tillman, congress, Erik Bedard, george sherrill, houston astros, luke scott, matt albers, Matt Wieters, Miguel Tejada, minute maid park, rafael palmeiro, sammy sosa, seattle mariners, troy pattan
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January 23rd, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Get ready for clowns like Hittinger, Underhill and some other WNST haters to label you “negative” and “hateful”.
You’re right on point with this blog, one of the best you’ve written.
Signing a former steroid user that you were thrilled to get rid of two years ago…someone needs to explain that one to me.
Good luck with the comments on this one.
You’re going to find something out real quick, Rex.
When you speak the truth about the O’s, some people get it, and some don’t.
Have fun with the ones who don’t.
Cue them up in 3……..2…………1.
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January 23rd, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Just your opinion, but I’m glad that I don’t share it with you. If the situation with Congress has been dealt with, then it’s not even an issue anymore. Your talking about Adam Eaton, Mark Hendrickson, and those guys, they have served there purpose and aren’t even here anymore. I’m in it for the long haul. My team since “77 win, lose, or draw baby. Go O’s!
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January 24th, 2010 at 8:54 am
When you end a relationship it’s for a reason. If you rekindle that relationship the odds are you will soon find out why you ended it to begin with.This latest move by the Orioles just represents what many of us have known for 13 years.The Orioles are the Ollies Bargin Outlet of MLB.Placed in a division with the Bosox and Yanks and there to feed the win column of both great franchises.I always point out to NY and Boston fans if not for us both of you would stink.And Angelos makes money off that senario with fan fests during the season for both cities complete with Baltimores Inner Harbor they are called regular season games. Just wait until a few of these young players achieves stardon especially the pitchers. Angelos will not pay them to stay here. Maybe he will have a last minute meeting with them and split the check over dinner.After all pitchers only work once every 5 days.
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January 24th, 2010 at 9:28 am
You work for a radio station that would hate the Orioles if they somehow signed every top free agent on the market… You’re one of those fans that think EVERYTHING can be produced from free agency, and that makes me laugh.. They signed Miguel Tejada to ONE YEAR. He’s there simply to bridge a gap from Melvin Mora to Josh Bell…. What i really wanna say is, this fan base is already pissed off, they dont need local media adding fuel to the fire, i trust Andy Macphail over ANY sports writer. (EDIT By Rex - you OBVIOUSLY don’t read my blogs or listen to my shows - which is cool. I’ve been the ONE GUY who has asked if the Orioles have tried acquiring rumored available players, like Chris Davis and Alex Gordon. Do your homework on me, dude.)
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January 24th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I agree with most of your points. but I think your are leaving out some things.
Let’s not forget that Brian Roberts also did steroids and has been in the same locker room as all of these young players. The only difference is Tejada was called out, and Roberts came clean on his own. However, not until everyone was going down around him. As for their drive to win, one could make an argument that Tejada is better for these young players with his all out attitude on the field, compared to Roberts who routinely jogs to first base on ground balls. Yes Roberts is great in the community, but don’t overlook what Tejada is doing for Haiti.
I think a 1 year deal for Tejada to man 3rd base is good for the Orioles. Not a lot of money, consistent numbers that will hopefully keep us from being so streaky, and if he fails, it is a low risk bridge for Bell. (EDIT By Rex - a major difference is no players are claiming that Roberts provided steroids for them. That’s a HUGE factor for me.)
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January 24th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Do you not have the ability of to google something? What is the point talking about the Tejada deal, if you can’t even take the time to mention that it is one year for $6 million? I just think it throws your whole argument or point of view out the window when you don’t bother to follow any of your conjecture with actual facts. But what do I know… (EDIT By Rex - so it gives him just a measly 162 games to infect the clubhouse? He brought steroids illegal drugs into the clubhouse and distributed them to other players - do you get that?)
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January 24th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Sorry I am an idiot and didn’t realize that the first response I tried to post actually went through…so yeah, I have no business criticizing anyone about their internet usage. Please don’t bother posting two of the three from me, I don’t care which. (EDIT By Rex - okay, I won’t post this comment, in which you’ve admitted screwing up …. )
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January 25th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I hate to admit this, but the Orioles seem to heading down the same path of signing second-rate players to fill holes in their line up. The worst would be Bedard, who seems to be a big influence on Gutherie, that is: pitch 6 innings, give up 2 runs and bask in the warm glow of good “stats”. Meanwhile the bullpen gets ground down and worn out by June. I would rather have the guy slugging it out for 8 innings, giving up 4 runs, saving the bullpen and winning 5-4. Kind of like the pitchers for the Chicago White Sox or Tampa Bay Rays. In other words, “gamers”
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January 25th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
and gosh, isn’t it strange that our beloved nfl never gets bad steroid publicity? i mean, those guys just gain 35 lbs in the offseason, get back acne and sudden onset male pattern baldness because they eat a lot of powerbars, right? oh, the nfl has a testing system in place alright, one designed to shut up the media, not to catch malefactors.
tejada is a stopgap and not a bad one. he’s cheap, and he’s not hitler. loosen up. the team has sucked for so long you’ve forgotten what’s worth complaining about. geez, do you really thing li’l adam jones and his tiddlywinks buddy matty weiters are so wet behind the ears that mean nasty miggy will corrupt them? that’s silly. (EDIT By Rex - the guy brought illegal drugs into the locker room and distributed them. If you were caught doing the same thing at work - arrested and charged with it and embarrassing the employer - would you still have a job? If the answer is YES - please tell me where you work; my cousin needs a job.)
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January 25th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
One word. Pulitzer.
GREAT column on tying this all together in a meaningful way.
All MacPhail needs to do next is re-sign Beddard and the circle of futility is complete.
As a friend of mine mentioned - wasn’t Miggy also the one that outed Brian Roberts as a steroid user? (EDIT By Rex - I believe Larry Bigbie sunk Roberts’ battleship.)
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January 26th, 2010 at 1:43 am
Tejada, Atkins, and Millwood are all coming as stopgaps….how is that stunting the plan?
Also, how many FA signings are actually successful? How many signed FA’s end up being worth their money?
Why should the O’s have signed a FA that wasn’t a stopgap over the last 2 years, and who would that be? (EDIT By Rex - Peter, if you take a look at my blogs, I’ve never been a big fan of going the free agent route when it comes to building for the future. I have no problem with Millwood or Atkins. I have a problem with Tejada, because of the problems he caused the FIRST TIME - including his sulky attitude when August rolled around. And, for the 48th time, I just can’t get past his involvement in distributing drugs within this team. There is a distinct difference between “using” and “distributing” drugs. Why can’t people see this ???)
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January 29th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Wow this artice is a joke, You’re telling me you would rather have injury-prone Mora at third then Tejada? Do you ever reread what you type? I mean forreal..You must have the IQ of a bowl of grapenuts! Tejada in his 4-years with Baltimore had a batting average of .311, 102 HRs, and 429 RBIs and you wouldnt want that back? Now I will say he wont be putting up the same statistics as his last stint with us but I can gaurantee his production would be better than having Mora. Also, If the O’s were able to resign Bedard who was more than less an ace for our club would improve the pitching rotation, Do we need to look back at his Stats when he was with us? I think not, We already know. Andy McPhail ended up getting 8 players from trading Tejada/Bedard two years ago. Now we already have Miggy and possibly Bedard? Yeah Andy McPhail has NO IDEA what he’s doing. (EDIT By Rex - I think the more appropriate question is “DO YOU READ THE BLOGS BEFORE RESPONDING TO THEM? Did I ever mention Melvin Mora as my choice for 2010? Did I say Andy MacPhail doesn’t know what he’s doing? Did I cite Tejada’s bat as a reason for not wanting him? I was clear about WHY I don’t want him - he brought illegal drugs into the Orioles clubhouse and distributed them. Read the blog, dude …..)