Orioles decline $8M option on 3B Mora
October 29, 2009
BALTIMORE (AP)—The Orioles have declined their $8 million option on MelvinMora(notes), allowing Baltimore’s longest-tenured player to become eligible for freeagency.
Mora, 37, came to the Orioles in a 2000 trade with the New York Mets. Heplayed 1,256 games for Baltimore, including 807 at third base—the second-mostin franchise history behind Brooks Robinson.
Mora’s best season was 2004, when he hit .340 with 27 homers and 104 RBIs.He receives a $1 million buyout.
The Orioles also declined their $850,000 option on backup catcher ChadMoeller(notes).
The team also hired Jeff Datz as bench coach. Datz spent the past eightseasons on the Cleveland Indians’ staff, including four years as bench coach.
