Having been to the playoffs twice and the World Series once in his nine-year career, Jay Payton understands what it takes to win. And he sees enough talent in the Baltimore Orioles to believe this team is on the verge of breaking through.
“I?ve been in the playoffs twice, and the two teams I went to the playoffs with were no more talented than this team is,” Payton said Monday after passing his physical and signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract.
The chance to be in the mix with the Yankees and Red Sox was another draw for Payton, who began his career with the New York Mets and has also played with Boston.
“I love to battle the two evil empires ? between Boston and New York and knock those teams off,” Payton said.
Baltimore?s proximity to Payton?s home in Raleigh, N.C., also helped the Orioles land him. In fact, once the season began winding down, Payton sought out clubs with roster openings close to home.
“I was hoping they?d have a need here,” said Payton, whose mother, Beth, will rest easier with her son on the East Coast.
“My mom would stay up until 1:30 or 2 o?clock in the morning [watching games on West Coast time]. … She?s my biggest fan, so to speak,” Payton said. According to Payton, his mother is also a big fan of Baltimore, one of her favorite stops on the travel circuit.
The East Coast bias that Payton showed this offseason was a breath of fresh air for the Orioles? front office, which saw a handful of available free agents head west.
The biggest draw for Orioles vice president Jim Duquette, a Mets employee when Payton played center field at Shea Stadium, was Payton?s familiarity with the East Coast playoff atmosphere.
“That?ll be a welcome addition to the clubhouse,” Duquette said.
Payton is excited about joining the Orioles? clubhouse, too. He?s played on teams with current Orioles Melvin Mora, Ramon Hernandez and Kevin Millar. He also played for bullpen coach Rick Dempsey when the latter was a minor league manager.
“There are some great guys here,” Payton said. “It should be a fun atmosphere.”
