FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Melvin Mora arrived at Fort Lauderdale Stadium last week, and in what has become his annual rite of spring, predicted his numbers for the coming season.
".340, 20-plus and 100-plus, and help the team win," Mora said of his projected batting average and home run and RBI totals, a wide smile stretching across his face.
Mora, the emotional third baseman who has worn an Orioles jersey longer than any other current player, had plenty to digest this offseason. He had shoulder surgery in November, saw two of his closest friends (Ramon Hernandez and Daniel Cabrera) leave the organization and then learned of the multiyear contract extensions given to Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis while he heads into the final guaranteed year of his deal.
But his status was the furthest thing from his mind when he was approached by a reporter before the team's first workout last week. "Let's talk about Brian Roberts," Mora said on the day his longtime teammate agreed to a four-year, $40 million extension.
"Good for them," Mora said of Roberts and Markakis. "I'm happy for them because when you have those guys that have been for the organization for so long and you see the organization take care of them, that's one thing you have to appreciate. The organization showed appreciation for what they have done.
"It's one at a time. Now, it's Nick. Tomorrow, it's Brian. Then next is Aubrey Huff. Maybe I'm last or maybe I'm not. But I cannot get mad. The only thing I can do is thank the Orioles organization. So many great things happened to me in this organization, and to my family, too. Plus, it's not my decision. It's the general manager's. I think he'll come out with something good for the team."
Mora, 37, will make $9 million in his 10th, and possibly last, season with the club. His contract includes an $8 million club option for 2010. Orioles president Andy MacPhail said this month that he's willing to entertain contract talks with Mora and Huff to see whether "you have an opportunity to do something that makes sense for the player and your franchise."
Mora, who makes his year-round home in Fallston, said he wants to be an Oriole for the rest of his career and he feels that he still has "four or five" good years left.
"I would love to be here for the rest of my career, but that's not my decision," Mora said. "It's Andy MacPhail's decision, and whenever he is ready to talk, we'll be ready to talk."
