Orioles News - 11/30/07 - Arbitration Deadline Approaches

As the arbitration deadline looms, it is appearing more and more likely that the Baltimore Orioles will not offer any of their free agents arbitration. The arbitration deadline is at 11:59 P.M. ET on today, Saturday. The O's aren't likely to receive any compensation draft picks for their free agents leaving. A main reason for this is that none of the Orioles free agents are ranked as Type A or Type B free agents. So, whats that mean? It means that the O's aren't losing any great players, so they won't get a free compensation draft pick. It is true, the O's really aren't losing anyone big. Their biggest loss to free agency will be Center Fielder Corey Patterson. Patterson had speed and could field very well, but he couldn't hit all that well. It won't be a huge loss, so the Orioles won't get compensation. Oh well. I guess that's a good thing... - John T.