Orioles News - 10/31/07 - O's Decline Option On Benson - Patterson Leaves - Bako Gone Too

Busy, busy, busy. That is what the Baltimore Orioles have been. I'll begin with the news about Kris Benson.

The O's have decided not to pick up the option on pitcher Kris Benson's contract today. Benson missed all of last season with a partially-torn rotator cuff. He underwent surgery last March to repair it. And to think we traded away a young pitcher with potential (John Maine) for a few starts by Kris Benson. Real good move there. Riiiiiight.

Center fielder Corey Patterson has officially filed for free agency. He will be joining a free agent class that includes Andruw Jones and Torii Hunter. That is a good class between those two players alone. Since those players are out there, Patterson is likely to get over looked by many teams. He will probably find out that little teams show interest in him.

Backup catcher Paul Bako has also officially filed for free agency. He wasn't the greatest backup ever, but still a good backup player. - John T.