Steve Bechler passed away in a Florida hospital yesterday morning. The Orioles' pitcher was taken to the hospital by ambulance the previous day due to apparent heat exhaustion. Until the autopsy results are reported, I don't want to comment on the circumstances of his death. Our condolences go out to his family at this time. The young pitcher married last year and his wife Kiley is expecting their first child in April.

Bechler was born in Medford, Oregon on November 18, 1979. Baltimore drafted him out of high school with their third round pick of the 1998 draft. He signed on June 5, 1998, and spent the remainder of the season at the Orioles Rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate. Bechler spent the following season at A Delmarva in the South Atlantic League and advanced to A+ Frederick in the Carolina League in 2000. He split 2001 between Frederick, AA Bowie in the Eastern League and AAA Rochester in the International League. In 2002, he began the season back at Bowie but quickly returned to AAA Rochester where he spent the majority of the season. The 23-year-old likely didn't have the dominance to succeed as a starter but could have been a solid major league reliever. On September 6th, he made his major league debut with a two-inning appearance against the Anaheim Angels at Camden Yards. In his major league career, he compiled a 3:4 K:BB with 6 H and 3 HR allowed in 4.2 IP for a 13.50 ERA over 3 appearances, though those numbers hardly accurately portray his upside. While the above only describes a limited portion of his life, that is how we knew him.

Last week, the Orioles settled with their remaining arbitration-eligible players. On Wednesday, Jerry Hairston agreed to a one-year, $1.55M contract. Hairston will likely be leading off and playing second base for the Orioles in 2003. He's a poor leadoff hitter due to his limited on-base skills, but Baltimore has few superior options. If Hairston could improve his walk rate, he might actually deserve the position. The 26-year-old's power skills are improving, though I expect his homer totals won't grow much beyond the preteen double digits. He's also shown increasing skill on the basepaths, so he should earn his salary. Hairston reportedly will have the opportunity to earn an additional $75,000 in incentives.

On Friday, Sidney Ponson signed a $4.25M one-year contract. Ponson is somewhat at risk for injury, but he's performed effectively when healthy. He doesn't strike out a lot of batters nor does he have exceeding great control, however he's generally adequate in both areas. He lends stability to the Orioles rotation, though as they don't intend to keep him beyond this season, Baltimore should probably deal the pending free agent during the year.

Melvin Mora was the last of the Orioles' arbitration-eligible players to sign, agreeing to a one-year, $1.725M contract on Saturday. Mora will likely continue to fill a utility role while receiving as many at-bats as someone starting at a single position. An improvement in his contact rate could turn him into a very good player. However, the 31-year-old already possesses a strong walk rate complemented by solid power and decent speed, though his speed is decreasing as he ages. Baltimore should be happy to keep him around at this salary and the small raises he'll earn prior to his free agency.

Meanwhile the Orioles have signed B.J. Surhoff to a minor league deal. Surhoff will reportedly receive a $1M base salary if he makes the team, as well as $75,000 for 30 and 60 days on the roster and 350 PA, $100,000 for 90 and 120 days on the roster as well as 400 and 450 PA and 110 G, $125,000 for 150 and 180 days on the roster as well as 500 PA and 120 G, and $250,000 for winning Comeback Player of the Year.

He missed most of 2002 due to a torn ACL, however the 38-year-old was performing well prior to the injury and has a solid skill history. His plate discipline isn't ideal but his strike zone judgment is generally adequate and he offers moderate power skills, although I expect him to have no real remaining speed skills given his age after this last injury. Nevertheless, I have a couple problems with this signings. In the current market he's barely worth his base salary and if he spends significant time on the roster he'll earn a good deal in incentives. Baltimore also already has more players fighting for playing time at first and DH than they have available at-bats at those positions, and Surhoff's skills aren't notably better than the rest of the bunch.

Rick Helling also signed a minor league deal with the Orioles. He'll receive a base salary of $1M with up to $1M available in incentives if he makes the team. Helling is a very poor signing for Baltimore, who didn't need to add a starter unless they were going for one of the best in the game. Camden Yards is one of the most homer prone stadiums in baseball, and while his other skills are solid, Helling is one of the more homer prone pitchers. I think he's a lock to make the rotation and he'll almost certainly pitch worse than more than one of the pitchers who'll lose out to him. Prospect John Stephens has earned a spot in the rotation but will likely return to AAA, although he would probably pitch better than half the starters Baltimore will use.