Brilliant

The "big news" of the day is that the Orioles have rejected a Tejada for Clement and Ramirez deal as insufficient.

But the back story is much more amusing.

It seems that Jeromy Burnitz backed out of signing with Baltimore, and two years guaranteed money, over contractual medical reporting language:

Howard Simon, Burnitz's agent, confirmed that the Orioles had made the best offer with the two guaranteed years. However, Simon objected to certain language in the Orioles' contract regarding the physical that players must take before the signing becomes official.

I can't begin to guess what that even means other than there is a clause that states, "Player must pee in a cup on demand."

The Orioles proceeded to do the right thing. They called Burnitz directly. He slammed them back:

They also spoke directly to Burnitz, who told the club that he backed out of the deal for family reasons. The Pirates make more trips to California, where Burnitz was born and where his family is.

So, let me get this straight. Burnitz gave up $6 million because the Pirates make 3 California trips per year (San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco) versus Baltimore's 2 (Los Angeles, Oakland)?

Dunno about anyone else, but if it's worth $6 million to spend three days in San Diego, I'm living in the wrong city.