Mercedes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Johnny Oates knew it would be ugly, and he was right.The Orioles manager dreaded what he had to face yesterday. Early in the day, he told pitcher Anthony Telford and outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds they would go to the minor-league complex for reassignment.But neither of those moves was unexpected -- leaving the tough stuff for later, after a 5-2 exhibition win over the St. Louis Cardinals. That's when Oates informed lefthanded reliever Brad Pennington and outfielders Jack Voigt and Mark Leonard they would not be going to Baltimore.

After spending a night in limbo, Jose Mercedes learned yesterday that, at least for now, he'll remain in Baltimore. The Orioles right-handed reliever was notified by manager Mike Hargrove after Thursday night's rain-delayed win that he was being optioned to Triple-A Rochester, ostensibly to clear roster room for fellow reliever Calvin Maduro. After complaining to Hargrove about the demotion and his relief role and then clearing out his locker, Mercedes challenged whether the team retained an option on him. Mercedes added that he would not report to Rochester, if possible.

OAKLAND, Calif. - A year ago, Jose Mercedes earned de facto status as the Orioles' staff ace over a pitcher who later signed an $88.5 million contract and another whom the Orioles classified as untouchable. Now, two months removed from free agency, his goal is to maintain his confidence while trying to sidestep becoming the major leagues' first 20-game loser in two decades. "I think I'm doing the same thing. I don't think I'm having the same luck," said Mercedes, 7-16 after taking Saturday's 6-4 loss against the Seattle Mariners.

The agents for Orioles pitchers Jose Mercedes and Sidney Ponson will have discussions with club officials this week that they hope will hasten agreements on contracts for 2001 and prevent arbitration hearings in February. Mercedes and Ponson were among 63 players in the majors who filed last Monday. Dick Moss, who represents Mercedes, submitted a salary figure of $3.8 million. The Orioles have countered with an offer of $2.75 million. Ponson's agent, Barry Praver, is seeking $2.65 million, while the Orioles are offering $1.9 million.

ATLANTA - The Orioles have opened trade discussions with the Minnesota Twins involving pitcher Jose Mercedes, considered the most likely of the fourth-place team's pitchers to be dealt before the July 31 waiver deadline, according to club and industry sources. Twins general manager Terry Ryan contacted Orioles vice president of baseball operations Syd Thrift earlier this week to convey interest in Mercedes, a pending free agent. The Orioles, who have expressed little desire to sign the 30-year-old Mercedes to an extension before the end of this season, are said to be considering a counterproposal that would likely contain prospects.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Royals tonight will celebrate the life and times of Cal Ripken at Kauffman Stadium, the latest place to embrace the retiring third baseman as one of their own. Ripken, ever the gracious guest, left his traditional parting gift last night in a 4-1 Orioles win before 17,885. With the Orioles finally picking on someone their own size, Ripken delivered his 10th home run four innings before smashing a sacrifice fly in support of starting pitcher Jose Mercedes (6-13)

With Josh Towers unable to make another start this season, Orioles manager Mike Hargrove apparently will reinsert Jose Mercedes into the rotation. The search for a replacement has taken Hargrove to where he began, a pitcher once careening toward 20 losses. Towers' season ended when he broke the ring finger on his right hand hitting a dugout phone after coming out of Thursday's game in Toronto. He had the ring and middle fingers taped together yesterday. Mercedes hasn't pitched since Sept.

PHILADELPHIA - Their bullpen overheated, their starting pitcher still searching for his second win and their leadoff hitter needing to get well, the Orioles faced one of the most challenging moments of their season yesterday against the Philadelphia Phillies. A late-night phone call had been made for reinforcements from Rochester and manager Mike Hargrove might have offered a few morning prayers for at least a seven-inning start from star-crossed Jose Mercedes. Prayers answered, 10-7. The Orioles stepped back from a long fall with a grinding seven-inning performance from Mercedes; four home runs, including a three-run shot by flu-ridden Brady Anderson; and a two-inning finish by Buddy Groom in the left-hander's fourth appearance in five days.

While continuing to discuss shortstop Mike Bordick as a trade possibility, the Orioles have also offered the All-Star infielder a two-year contract extension with a club option for 2003, according to warehouse and industry sources. Vice president of baseball operations Syd Thrift added last night that he doesn't expect Bordick to be traded before Monday's waiver deadline even though one scenario suggests Bordick would be traded as a "rent-a-player" then re-signed as a free agent after the season.

Mercedes-Benz USA has signed a 10-year lease with Dundalk Marine Terminal, with options to extend an additional 20 years, the first direct commitment the company has made to remain in Baltimore, state officials announced yesterday. "We have an agreement that's a long-term contract," said Robert L. Flanagan, secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation. "So it's a commitment to us and a commitment to them." Standing before a fleet of gleaming Mercedes automobiles that had just been unloaded from a cargo ship, Flanagan was joined by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and several other state officials in making the announcement.