SIDNEY PONSON

SEASON SUMMARY
The big question about Sidney Ponson entering the 2003 season was when and to whom he would be traded.  Ponson was eligible for free agency heading into 2004 and he'd turned down a rather lucrative multi-year offer from the Orioles, making it clear that he intended to test free agency.  The Orioles had to decide whether to retain him through the season and, if he re-signed elsewhere, settle for a couple of draft picks or trade him for a (somewhat) known commodity before the trading deadline.  The Orioles chose the latter option, shipping Ponson to San Francisco at the waiver deadline in exchange for Damian Moss and Kurt Ainsworth.

Ironically--or perhaps not, given his pending free agent status and lack of a contract beyond 2003--Ponson had his best major league season.  He won 17 games (his previous high was 12) between Baltimore and San Francisco despite poor support with the Giants; his ERA was below four for the first time (3.75 composite); he started 31 games, the first time eclipsing 30 in three seasons; he allowed fewer hits than innings pitched for just the second time in six big league seasons; he allowed only 16 home runs all year long, the lowest total of his career (only 10 in 148 IP with the Orioles, by far the lowest HR/9IP mark of his major league life).

In short, Ponson pitched in 2003 the way Orioles supporters had hoped he'd pitch from the time he joined the club in 1998.  The potential, many observers said, had been there all along.  A plus fastball, that sometimes hits the mid-90s; a now better-than-average slider; the forkball, which he uses as a straight change.

In fairness to Sir Sidney (Ponson was knighted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands this past year), the improvement in his performance wasn't limited to 2003.  Ponson's 2002 was his best big league season until 2003 came along, so he's had his two best seasons in the past two years.

This is an important consideration as the Orioles, among other teams, weigh the possibility of signing newly minted free agent Ponson to a multi-year contract this off-season.  There is some evidence that Ponson has turned a corner and become, at least, a dependable #3 major league starter...and possibly more, if he continues his recent improvement.  

The nagging concern about Ponson, however, deals with his health.  He's never started more than 32 games in a season and missed significant time in 2001-02.  Doubts remain about the stability of Ponson's shoulder; he has had acknowledged problems with the right rotator cuff and elbow problems in 2002.  He has spent at least some time on the disabled list during each of the past three seasons.  There have been further grumbling about Ponson's training habits, or lack of same; the right-hander has was listed at 249 pounds last year, and if anything that amount was an understatement.

Ponson's agent has indicated that his client is open to the notion of returning to Baltimore (he "never wanted to leave" in the first place); whether the club will roll the dice and offer enough money to make it happen remains to be seen.

TO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY NEXT YEAR, HE MUST: