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//  Saturday, September 4, 2010

Taking Back Tejada: Shortstop Returns to Orioles

Sunday, January 24, 2010
Posted by Andy Ouriel

Miguel Tejada is returning to play for the Baltimore Orioles.

The former MVP shortstop signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Orioles on Saturday shortly before the team's fan fest, first reported by Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Tejada can receive $1 million more if he reaches a certain amount of games played.

"I am happy to return to Baltimore, it's like my home," Tejada told Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. "We have great young talent, and I think many good things could happen with the club in 2010."

Tejada played with the O's from 2004-07. During that time, he averaged 28 home runs, 116 RBIs and 192 hits per season.

While Tejada will be returning Camden Yards, he might feel uncomfortable when he is playing defense.

Tejada is expected to be the team's third baseman. After declining a 2010 option for former third baseman Melvin Mora, there is a vacancy Tejada will have to fill for the team. Cesar Izturis will be the team's shortstop for the second consecutive season.

"Mentally and physically I was getting ready to play third base since the season ended last year," Tejada said in an Associated Press article via ESPN.

This will be the second time in recent years a Orioles shortstop has moved to third base.

The other one?

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. who played in a record 2,632 games and help lead the Orioles to their last World Series appearance and victory in 1983.

Tejada has never played third base in his 13-year career.

But the six-time All-Star is willing to try something new in his second go around with Baltimore.

Tejada was traded before the 2008 offseason to the Houston Astros for five players including current big leaguers Luke Scott, Dennis Sarfate and Matt Albers.

Only hours after he was traded, news circulated about Tejada withholding information from Congress about him lying to the U.S. Congress about former teammates taking performance-enhancing drugs in 2005.

He also admitted to taking human growth horrormones when playing for the Oakland Athletics.

But he didn't let his off-field antics affect his performance on the field

Tejada, 35, was selected to the All-Star Game during both his seasons with the Astros. He averaged 26 home runs and 107 RBis with the team from 2008-09, yet had much better first halves than second halves.

And for all the wrongs Tejada committed, the Orioles are excited to bring back a popluar player who is determined to have his best season yet.

"I'll say this about Tejada: I don't think there's ever been a guy who wants to win more," manager Dave Trembley said in the article.

"He has a very, very strong passion to win. Guys on the team love him. I never had a problem with him. If it works out that he comes back here, I think it would be a real good acquisition."

Comments (1) - Post a Comment
good low risk signing
Howard B at 12:44pm EST - January 25, 2010


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