The Orioles probably regret passing on Soto

In today's Baltimore Sun column by Fred Mitchell, he points out that the Orioles apparently passed on Cubs rookie catcher Geovany Soto in the great Sammy Sosa roster dump.

Learn something new every day, huh?

From Mitchell's piece:

In their eagerness to unload Sammy Sosa and his $17 million contract to the Orioles, the Cubs and Baltimore apparently discussed Soto, a Cubs minor-league catching prospect at the time, as a possible throw-in to the deal.

The Orioles, according to a league source, talked themselves out of demanding that Soto be part of the transaction. Instead, Baltimore received Sosa and cash in exchange for Mike Fontenot, Jerry Hairston and David Crouthers on Feb. 2, 2005.

I'll speak for the Baltimore front office and fan base when I say, "Damn!"

In their defense, Soto hadn't done much to that point and didn't break out until later, but I guess that's why there are scouting departments, right? Of course, it might also explain the Orioles' lack of success lately, too.

(Image from: MLB.com)