Kris Benson knows the routine in every major league clubhouse this time of year.
The Orioles pitcher hears the possible trades being bantered about in the newspapers, television and the Internet with the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline looming. He also knows all too well what it?s like to be mentioned in those trade talks as the Pittsburgh Pirates dealt him to the New York Mets right before the deadline in 2004.
He said it could be a stressful experience for a player if they had never been through the process before. However over time, you get to understand it is just part of the business.
“It can be distracting the first time you go through it,” Benson said. “There can be some anxiety not knowing where you could end up and having to be there the next day. But, once you?ve been through it, it?s no big deal. It?s flattering knowing that a team wants you.”
With the Orioles 13 games out of first in the American League East entering this week, many of the team?s veterans could be dealt before the end of the month. Pitchers like Rodrigo Lopez and LaTroy Hawkins have been the subject of trade rumors, while position players like first baseman Kevin Millar, outfielder Jeff Conine and catcher Javy Lopez could all help pennant-contending teams looking for additional offense.
“You have no control over it,” Millar said. “You just have to go out and keep playing. And, if they come up and tap you on the shoulder at the end of July and tell you you?re going somewhere else, you pack up your bags and go.”
Conine may have never been traded prior to July 31, but he has dealt with a similar experience as Baltimore traded him to the Florida Marlins after the deadline en route to their World Series win in 2003.
“Most rumors never come true,” Conine said. “And those trades that do happen are usually not ones your hear about beforehand.”
ORIOLES NOTES
» The Pirates traded Benson, along with Jeff Keppinger to the Mets for Jose Battista, Ty Wiggington and Matt Peterson on July 30, 2004.
» The Orioles sent Conine to the Marlins for Denny Bautista and Don Levinski on Aug. 31, 2003. Any player traded after the July 31 deadline must have cleared waivers first.
