While the Orioles and Texas Rangers continue to hold discussions regarding Sidney Ponson, the amount of the pitcher's contract that the Rangers are willing to inherit remains a major obstacle to completing a trade.
Ponson will receive $8 million next season, with another $2 million deferred through 2008. Industry sources said the two sides aren't close to agreeing on how much money the Orioles should absorb to unload Ponson, who's 7-9 with a 5.91 ERA this season and 18-24 since signing a three-year, $22.5 million contract Jan. 14, 2004.
The Rangers have been intrigued by Ponson in the past, mostly because of his ability to consume innings. They once engaged in trade talks that involved outfielder Gabe Kapler, and also tried to sign him as a free agent before he returned to the Orioles and his stock began to drop.
"We've had interest in him before," Rangers owner Tom Hicks said yesterday. "Our guys have talked about him [this season], but not at the contract level he signed two years ago."
An Orioles source said the club isn't interested in outfielder Richard Hidalgo, but the Rangers are willing to move first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. The Orioles covet Severna Park native and All-Star starter Mark Teixeira, but the first baseman is under the Rangers' control for three more years and considered untouchable.
The Orioles want to upgrade their outfield, but the team source said there's no interest in the Pittsburgh Pirates' Matt Lawton or the Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey.
They also are trying to acquire a front-line starting pitcher and have engaged in talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are willing to trade Odalis Perez and Jeff Weaver. But a Dodgers source said the two clubs don't appear to be a match unless the Orioles relinquish a franchise-type player such as third baseman Melvin Mora.
The San Francisco Giants no longer are willing to trade Jason Schmidt, according to an industry source, and the Chicago White Sox are convinced they can acquire A.J. Burnett from the Florida Marlins, who once thought they had a deal with the Orioles before it fell through.
The Orioles didn't want to take on third baseman Mike Lowell's contract, which pays him $18 million over the next two years, and they couldn't agree internally on Burnett's worth.
Newhan recalled
David Newhan is getting another chance with the Orioles.
Eli Marrero went on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a sprained right thumb, and the Orioles recalled Newhan from Triple-A Ottawa to take his place.
