The Orioles reached an impasse with free-agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez yesterday, breaking off talks with words that sounded much more serious than simple negotiating ploys.
After exchanging proposals on a multi-year contract, Rodriguez's agent, Jeff Moorad, and Orioles executive vice president Jim Beattie said the sides were too far apart to continue talking, at this point.
"We're disappointed," Moorad said. "I'd never say never, but at this point, I'm guessing we'll go in a different direction. Going into the process, Pudge thought playing in Baltimore would make a lot of sense. At this point, it doesn't seem to be in the cards."
Though Beattie and Moorad declined to offer specifics, the difference appears to be at least $5 million per season. The Orioles are believed to have offered a three-year contract with one or two option years that would make the deal worth about $5 million to $6 million annually.
The sides pretty much agreed on length but not money. Rodriguez, 31, is believed to be seeking closer to $11 million per season.
"They told us that without a substantial adjustment in our numbers, the conversation would be dead in the water," Beattie said. "I would never say that things are over, but for some period of time, it's not fruitful for us to have a conversation."
The Orioles turned their attention toward signing Japanese outfielder Hideki Matsui after sending him a contract offer Tuesday. Beattie and vice president Mike Flanagan had multiple conversations with Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, but the New York Yankees were close to signing Matsui to a three-year, $21 million contract late last night.
In another development, the commissioner's office granted Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras free agency yesterday after he established residency in Nicaragua. The Orioles have marginal interest in signing Contreras, and Beattie said the club will likely contact his agent, Jaime Torres.
Contreras, who turns 31 this month, pitched eight shutout innings against the Orioles, allowing two hits and striking out 10, in a 1999 exhibition game.
But the top priority for the Orioles is still finding a run-producing bat, and that's probably where they'll spend their money, Beattie said. If they can't sign Rodriguez, they could rekindle their interest in free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd or explore their trade options.
"The money's not always going to be there [for Rodriguez]," said Beattie, who was hired along with Flanagan two weeks ago. "If he has better opportunities, that's fine. But we feel comfortable, and we don't have any qualms whatsoever moving on. ... I don't feel any pressure to do this, even as the new guy in town."
So now the Orioles are betting Rodriguez won't find the money he's looking for anywhere else, especially in this market.
The Chicago Cubs are considered the other leading candidate to land Rodriguez, but they seem to be playing the same game. They discussed contract figures with Moorad on Sunday and came away saying there was no need to negotiate further until Rodriguez lowered his asking price.
Yesterday, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said he hadn't spoken to Moorad in two days and agreed it was becoming less likely Rodriguez will end up in Chicago. The Cubs have already added catcher Damian Miller this offseason.
Moorad said he has received interest in Rodriguez from the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers, but for now that appears to be limited, as well.
Rodriguez is a 10-time All-Star and a 10-time Gold Glove award winner, but he has found slim pickings on the market compared to other players of his caliber in recent years.
Most of that has to do with the market itself, but there are concerns about his durability after 12 years as a major-league catcher. Rodriguez won the 1999 American League Most Valuable Player award, batting .332 with 35 home runs and 113 RBIs, but he hasn't played a full season since then because of injuries.
In July 2000, he broke his right thumb when Mo Vaughn followed through with his swing and hit Rodriguez in the hand with his bat. That was a freak accident, but his other injuries were of greater concern. He had surgery on his right knee in 2001 after experiencing patella tendinitis, and he also missed six weeks this past season with a herniated disc in his lower back.
"These people keep saying that nobody is going to sign me for more than two or three years because it's risky," Rodriguez told The Fort Worth Star-Telegram earlier this month. "That's OK. They can say whatever. I don't care. I'm going to work so hard this offseason, and then next year I'm going to stick it to them and show them what I can do."