Free agent Lee Smith, baseball's all-time saves leader and the major-league leader with 33 in strike-shortened 1994, would like to return to the Orioles.
So what's the holdup?
"I really don't know," Smith said last night. "I haven't even had an offer from them."
Indications are the Orioles will decide within the next day or two whether to make Smith an offer.
BSmith, a resident of Castor, La., said the Orioles had him go to a hospital in Shreveport to undergo an MRI on his ankle and knee.
"They saw the test results Friday morning and said everything was OK," Smith said. "But there hasn't been any offer yet. I don't know what they're waiting for.
"That's a little different, giving you tests before you even get aoffer, but I guess they're still feeling that Glenn Davis trade."
The Orioles could decide to wait until players with four and five years of major-league service become available under a new economic system.
Montreal's John Wetteland, for example, could become a free agent.
Meanwhile, Smith said only the California Angels have made him an offer for two years. It is believed to be in the neighborhood of $4.5 million.
Smith did not rule out the possibility of accepting that offer sometime this week. "There is a chance I could," he said. "I don't want to let anything slip through my fingers and end up getting nothing. . . . You can only wait so long."
Smith said the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals also have expressed some interest but have not made offers.
"The Angels are the only ones to make an offer," Smith said. "I really appreciate what the Angels are doing for me. Maybe the other teams are waiting to see what's going on with the Basic Agreement."
With Armando Benitez being groomed for the closer job, it is nolikely the Orioles would guarantee two years to Smith, but they might be able to outbid the Angels.
"I wouldn't mind staying in Baltimore, but you can't always get what you want," said Smith, 37. "I've given them ample time to make an offer. I'm not going to wait forever."
Smith said he has started throwing in preparation for spring training and only hopes there will be one.
"It's been a little disappointing what's going on with the strike situation," Smith said. "Hopefully, they can get something done."