Byline: Jorge Arangure Jr.

Washington Post staff writer Jorge Arangure Jr., who covers the Baltimore Orioles, was online Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 1:30 p.m. ET to discuss the team and the latest news in Major League Baseball.

A transcript follows.

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Jorge Arangure Jr.: What's going on everyone? I'm here pinch hitting for Dave Sheinin, who flew to california to see if barry bonds will play again this season. should be interesting to monitor. I guess since this isn't neccessarily an orioles chat, we can talk about just about everything, though i would prefer to talk about 1. the new bob dylan bootleg album 2. usc's resounding win against hawaii this weekend or 3. how barry svrluga's chats are a total bore.

btw, anyone who read last week's chat and remembers the great simpsons game somebody suggested, please feel free to send more examples.

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washington: What, if any, contractual commitments do the Orioles have to Sosa for next season and does Ponson have a case for his appeal based on the terms of his contract or is this a perfunctory move on the part of the players union?

Jorge Arangure Jr.: Luckily the Orioles have no financial obligations to Sammy Sosa next year. It's extremely unlikely he'll return but if he does it would be for an incentive laden contract. They are lucky they did not sign Sosa to an extension shortly after making the trade.

I am still doubtful the Orioles will completely rid themselves of the obligations of Ponson's contract. There is no precedent for this and actually ever ruling in this type of case has favored the player. That being said, Angelos might be the man who can actually win a case like this.

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Falls Church, VA: How is Tejada's morale these days? Have three crummy seasons for the team started to take their toll?