"The way it was explained to me, it's all about playing for his national team in Canada and it's not about terms or anything," Orioles president Andy MacPhail told The Sun. "The way it was explained to me is he grew up there and it's his lifelong dream to play for Toronto. I have no interest in having Baltimore become part of Canada. We're proud members of the United States, and there isn't much we can do about it."

Loewen, 25, was drafted as a left-handed pitcher in 2002. He agreed to a major league contract shortly before the spring 2003 deadline, and he reached the major leagues in 2006. But elbow injuries in the past two seasons have derailed his pitching career, and he announced this summer he'd attempt a comeback as an outfielder.

The 6-foot-6 left-hander hasn't been a regular hitter since 2003, when he played first base for Chipola Junior College in Florida. He participated in the Orioles' Instructional League last month, and the Orioles felt they made numerous overtures to keep Loewen, including allowing him to work with hitting coach Terry Crowley.

But the native of Surrey, British Columbia, in Canada's western plains couldn't pass up the opportunity to play for his "hometown" team.

"I've been an Oriole all my life. I really don't know anything other than the Orioles," Loewen told The Sun. "In that regard it was tough. But at the same time, I had the chance to play for a team I grew up watching. For me, that opportunity was a big one, and I had to really consider it."