Last Friday, the 16th of November, Baltimore released Brady Anderson. I intended to discuss the move on one of the days directly following the release, but with the start of free agency and all of the contraction-related news I am just getting to it today.

Anderson's release is the result of Baltimore's desire to remove potential obstacles to their attempt to rebuild the club around a (comparatively) more youthful core. Brady, who will be 38 in January, had a very poor year and was hampered by several minor injuries in 2001.

Although, the Orioles are still required to cover Anderson's contract, which will pay him $4 million to play for another team in 2002, they now have the ability to try out several younger options in centerfield. Melvin Mora, Luis Matos, Larry Bigbie, and Tim Raines, Jr., will all likely see time there during spring training and possibly into the first couple months of the season.

Anderson has probably crossed over to fourth outfielder status. Nevertheless, he will look for teams that will really value him and clubs that could potentially award him a starting role, as he already has guaranteed money.

If they had attempted to trade Brady Anderson to another team, Baltimore might have been able to unload a portion of the contract and receive a player or two as compensation. Syd Thrift's failure to further explore this avenue publicly showed considerable negligence on his part and is quite puzzling. In addition to starting young players from their own system, the Orioles will likely sign several free agents this off-season. A few extra million dollars is useful to any club, whatever the size of their payroll budget.

Other Orioles available on the 2001 free agent market include Jose Mercedes, Alan Mills, and Tim Raines. Cal Ripken, Jr. has also filled for free agency rather than ask to be placed on the voluntary retired list, but I don't expect him to play in 2002. Ripken has decided to leave the game; it is just hard for him to let go, and this is his way of leaving the door open just a crack. After all, a comeback attempt would look exceptionally lame following those Coca-Cola ads.

Alternately, Tim Raines is less ready to leave baseball. I think he had a great time playing with his son in the last few games of 2001 and will look to find a team on which he can contribute in 2002. Expect him to either return to Montreal again, or agree to play for Baltimore's AAA team with his son.

Jose Mercedes won't re-sign with Baltimore. They removed him from the rotation in favor of youth in early September. Mercedes has the ability to be an acceptable bottom of the rotation starter, but he should avoid parks that will increase his already high HR/9. If the Mets or Expos show interest in him, he should jump at the offer.

Alan Mills has been a lousy pitcher for several years now, and shoulder surgery in September of 2000 did nothing to improve his limited skills set. Mills contemplated retiring before the end of the year but declared that he was not a quitter and decided to stay with the team. He could sign with another club as a middle reliever, however it would be best for all involved if he hung up his hat this off-season.

Continuing Coverage

Donald Watkins, the same African-American Alabama man who we have discussed as the possible mystery buyer in the rumored sale of the Florida Marlins, allegedly has interest in purchasing the Minnesota Twins as reported in a recent AP article. According to the report, Watkins' interest arose after receiving an e-mail from a Twins' fan.

Before Watkins would be able to pursue a deal with Minnesota, his spring bid to buy the Tampa Bay Devil Rays could need to be resolved, as no one is allowed to have ownership of part or the whole of more than one team. Watkins considers the Twins and Devil Rays to be similarly undervalued, thus making them good buys. Current Minnesota owner Carl Pohlad has said in the past that he would consider selling if presented with an acceptable offer.

This new report, combined with the information regarding the still open bid on Tampa Bay, makes our earlier suggestion that Watkins is the mystery buyer of the Florida Marlins less probable than it appeared a few days ago.

Current Marlins' owner John Henry supposedly has interest in joining a group that is trying to buy the Boston Red Sox. Obviously before he could officially join the new ownership group, he would have to divest himself of the Marlins. This coming Tuesday's owner meeting should clear up many things.