Baines Is Back With the Orioles

Harold Baines, twice a player for the White Sox, became twice a player for the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, traded by Chicago for a player to be named.

Baines, a Maryland native, played with the Orioles from 1993-95. He had hit .305 in 93 games with the White Sox this season.

“Harold’s a professional hitter and he’s been able to hit all his life,” Baltimore General Manager Pat Gillick said. “Certainly, I think he’s going to give us another left-handed bat to utilize in the lineup.”

Baines, 38, is a lifetime .290 hitter with 335 home runs.

“I’m not surprised. I’ve been hearing rumors for the past couple months,” Baines said. “I’m not going to a last-place team. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to do what I’ve always dreamed of--to win a world championship.”

The White Sox contended that the trade was not an indication that the team is abandoning hope to make the playoffs.

“This gets enough maneuverability,” Chicago General Manager Ron Schueler said. “This is not message that we’re giving up. I want to win. I want to win this year.”

He said Frank Thomas or Robin Ventura probably would spend more time at designated hitter.

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Mariano Duncan’s got his wish when the New York Yankees traded him to the Toronto Blue Jays for minor league outfielder Angel Ramirez and cash.

Duncan, who batted .340 as the regular second baseman when the Yankees won the World Series last year, lost his job when he fell into disfavor with Yankee owner George Steinbrenner.

Duncan asked to be traded and earlier this month was included in a five-player swap with San Diego. But the deal fell through when Padre outfielder Greg Vaughn failed his physical, and Duncan reluctantly returned to New York. He batted .244 in 50 games with one home run and 13 RBIs.

“It should have been done a long time ago,” he said of the deal.

The Yankees replaced Duncan by purchasing the contract of veteran outfielder Pete Incaviglia from their Columbus affiliate in the International League.