O's: Nats Impacting Their Offseason Plans

Baltimore Officials Say Revenue Uncertainty Is Limiting Team's Free Agent Spending

BALTIMORE, Jan. 9 -- For the first time, the Baltimore Orioles publicly admitted Washington's baseball franchise has forced them to reevaluate their offseason plans.

Hoping to land a premier starting pitcher and a middle-of-the-lineup bat through free agency or a trade, Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Jim Beattie said the uncertainty of the financial effect the Nationals will have on the Orioles has caused the franchise to be outbid for players. Without an agreement with MLB on a compensation package, the Orioles are unsure how much they can spend.

"Our revenues drive what we can do," Beattie said during the team's FanFest on Sunday. "It has slowed us down. We would be in better position if we had an agreement. It has put us behind the eight ball in what we want to do."

This offseason the Orioles failed in their attempts to sign pitcher Carl Pavano and first baseman Richie Sexson. Their negotiations with first baseman Carlos Delgado, who has stated a desire to play for the Orioles, have taken a languorous pace partly because of Baltimore's reluctance to increase its original bid, believed to be three years, $30 million.

While their American League East rivals, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, continue to make moves, the Orioles remain idle.

"I see all the moves everybody has made," shortstop Miguel Tejada said. "For me and the rest of the other players, it would be great if they brought other players to make the team better. [The Yankees and Red Sox] try to be better. I hope my team does the same thing to get what they need. [The front-office staff] know we need guys to compete with those guys."

Baltimore hopes to restart negotiations with Delgado this week. The New York Mets' signing of Carlos Beltran likely eliminates them from signing Delgado, but Orioles officials are unsure if that would help their negotiations if the first baseman won't budge from his contract demands.

The Orioles also hope to hear this week from agent Scott Boras about Magglio Ordoñez, who last week visited a doctor who is expected to allow the outfielder to resume baseball activities. Ordoñez missed most of last season because of a knee injury. But that might not matter if team ownership does not allow management to spend money.

"Trying to be able to be more aggressive, [the lack of an agreement] has hampered us a little bit," Beattie said.

Orioles Note: Outfielder-second baseman Jerry Hairston told Beattie he would be willing to play center field next season.