Trade market opens in K.C.

Let the bidding begin for Carlos Beltran.

Kansas City general manager Allard Baird, on the heels of a demoralizing doubleheader loss to Montreal, said Friday that he is ready to begin dismantling his team and build for 2005.

“This is a change,” Baird told reporters.

Specifically, this means he is ready to take offers for Beltran, his switch-hitting center fielder who is one of just six players with at least three seasons of 100 runs, 100 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

Beltran, 26, will be eligible for free agency after this year and the Royals are determined to get as much for him as they can.

Baird said he has heard from clubs “on the East Coast and the West Coast” who might be interested in the 26-year-old Beltran, but refused to be specific.

“I think it’s very unfair to the ballclubs I’m talking to on any player,” he said. “If they want to share it, that’s fine.”

Teams known to have expressed interest include Anaheim, Boston and the New York Yankees.

There are certain to be others. Beltran last year become the first switch-hitter to bat over .300 while hitting more than 25 home runs and stealing more than 40 bases.

The A.L. player of the month in April, he went into Friday night’s game hitting .270 with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs.

Cedeno, Reed suspended for run-ins with umpires

St. Louis outfielder Roger Cedeno was suspended for four games and Colorado reliever Steve Reed was suspended for three games for their animated run-ins with umpires.

Both players appealed, meaning their penalties will not take effect until hearings are held. Cedeno and Reed also were fined undisclosed amounts by Major League Baseball.

Cedeno was suspended after spraying an umpire with spit Tuesday. Reed was penalized after throwing his glove in an umpire’s direction Sunday.

Orioles owner OK with Expos in Norfolk, but not D.C.

Orioles owner Peter Angelos remains steadfastly opposed to the Montreal Expos moving to Washington, D.C. or Northern Virginia, insisting that two teams could not be successful operating so close to each other.

“Another Major League Baseball franchise in close proximity would result in two mediocre franchises from a competitive standpoint,” he said in a telephone interview.

Angelos said a team operating within a 60-mile radius of Baltimore would siphon revenue from the Orioles, who draw a significant portion of their fans from suburban Washington.

But he wouldn’t mind seeing the Expos move to Norfolk, Va., which is also vying for the team.

“That’s 180 miles away from Baltimore,” Angelos said. “We’re 100 miles away from Philadelphia, and that works fine.”

If the Expos wind up in Washington, Angelos will begrudgingly accept the move.

“Unfortunately, I have no choice,” he said. “After all, Washington is also my capital.”

Clearing the bases

Tests on Kevin Brown’s troublesome back showed no major damage, and he might not even miss a start for the New York Yankees… . San Francisco Giants right-hander Brett Tomko was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow injury… . The St. Louis Cardinals recalled former Spokane Indians’ RHP Jason Simontacchi and optioned RHP Dan Haren to Triple-A Memphis… . The Montreal Expos placed right-hander Tomo Ohka on the 15-day disabled list with a broken forearm, and called up left-hander Joe Horgan from Triple-A Edmonton… . Indians catcher Victor Martinez will miss at least a few games after spraining his right foot while running the bases… . Scott Williamson was activated from the 15-day disabled list by the Boston Red Sox, who sent catcher-first baseman Andy Dominique to Triple-A Pawtucket… . Anaheim Angels right-hander Aaron Sele was placed on the 15-day disabled list.