Orioles do not plan to pick up Melvin Mora's option

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Orioles do not plan to pick up Melvin Mora's 8 million dollar club option after this season. Mora, who has been with club since 2000, was acquired in a blockbuster deal with the New York Mets. Mora was the only one to prosper from that trade, putting up solid numbers and representing the Orioles in the All-Star game in 2003 and 2005. Now 37, Mora is hitting just .259, a big drop from his .285 average last season.

Mora has represented Baltimore for the past several years, making his year round home in Baltimore and sticking with the team that hasn't shown any serious signs of life until recently.

"If I go in 10 days and be a free agent, I'll go with my head up. That I did everything I was supposed to do with the Orioles," Mora said. "Whatever I am going to be next year, I'll never get tired of thanking the Orioles, because I made my career here."

It is unclear where Mora will wind up next season.