If Adam Loewen is going to make a successful transition into a power-hitting outfielder or first baseman, it won't be in an Orioles uniform.
In a surprising development, Loewen confirmed yesterday that he has signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, turning down an offer from the Orioles, who were confident they would be able to retain their 2002 first-round draft pick.
"It was a lot tougher decision than when I decided to hang up pitching for my career," Loewen said. "I've been an Oriole all my life. I really don't know anything other than the Orioles. In that regard it was tough. But at the same time, I had the chance to play for a team I grew up watching. For me, that opportunity was a big one and I had to really consider it. I ended up talking to a lot of people and getting a lot of advice, and I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be a Blue Jay."
The Orioles released Loewen this week, but club president Andy MacPhail made it clear he expected to sign him to a minor league contract. However, Loewen, who is attempting to make the transition to a hitter after recurring elbow injuries ended his once-promising pitching career, received interest from other teams when he cleared waivers. One of those teams was the Blue Jays, the team the Surrey, British Columbia, native grew up rooting for. Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston even called Loewen this week to sell him on the organization.
"I don't think it's about money," MacPhail said. "The way it was explained to me, it's all about playing for his national team in Canada and it's not about terms or anything. The way it was explained to me is he grew up there and it's his lifelong dream to play for Toronto. I have no interest in having Baltimore become part of Canada. We're proud members of the United States, and there isn't much we can do about it."
Because Loewen signed a major league deal after he was drafted fourth overall in 2002, he was out of options, meaning the Orioles were going to have to expose him to waivers to send him to the minor leagues, where he would have started the 2009 season and his transformation into a hitter. However, both sides had said all along that they expected to work things out so Loewen would remain in the organization.
That apparently changed when Toronto came calling. Loewen said he and his representation told the Orioles there were "other offers on the table and they knew fully that there were other teams interested.
