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O's woes Belle's, Mussina's future with Baltimore in doubt
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Outfielder Albert Belle's future may be in doubt because of a degenerative hip condition, Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos said. "The problem that he has with the hip, while susceptible to rehab and treatment, is not an absolute certainty to come around to the level that he can function to which he once did or, for that matter, that he might be able to continue," Angelos said Thursday on WBAL-AM, the team's flagship station. "There is no indication that he won't be able to continue, but nonetheless it is an injury of serious proportions." The Orioles would consider trading Belle if he can rehabilitate the hip and waives his no-trade status, the team's majority owner said. Belle, 34, who earns $13 million per year, batted .281 this season with 23 homers and 103 RBIs. It was his ninth consecutive season with 100 RBIs or more, a record surpassed by only three players in baseball history. Angelos also took a tough stance on negotiations with pending free-agent pitcher Mike Mussina, adding the team might acquire a veteran starting pitcher. Angelos said he might reduce the amount of deferred money in his recent six-year, $72 million offer to Mussina, but wasn't inclined to increase the total package. "We're not in the business of making arrangements with baseball players that border on economic insanity," Angelos said. "We aren't going to do that. We don't operate that way. We play fair. We pay generously. We pay what is generous and proper. I think $72 million to Mussina is plenty of money to Mussina." Angelos added that he did not consider next year to be a rebuilding year for the Orioles, who finished in fourth place for the third straight season with a 74-88 record, although he said the team will be predominantly young. Angelos was most critical of the team's bullpen, which he said will be overhauled for the third straight season. "I guaranteed we're going to rebuild our bullpen," Angelos said.
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