Rule 5 results
Rule 5 results
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles used the third pick in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft to select left-hander Benjamin Snyder from the San Francisco Giants' system, who will be flipped to the Texas Rangers as the PTBNL in the Kevin Millwood trade. That's why you were advised not to get too attached to him. More to come.
Getting caught in the draft
Getting caught in the draft
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Rule 5 draft is about one hour away, and you can feel the electricity in the air. Actually, that's just static from the carpet. More than a few reporters here wonder why the draft isn't conducted online. Do we really need to gather in a conference room and listen to team reps bark out names or pass on their selections? This one's taking place at the Westin instead of the downtown Marriott, which is convenient for guests like myself. I can just roll out of bed and stumble to the...
More from MacPhail (w/ more video)
More from MacPhail (w/ more video)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
On not making an injured pitcher the first acquisition: "I don't think the first move we could make to improve our rotation would be somebody that really had some medical concerns and took a higher than customary risk on the medicals. You needed somebody that you felt was going to be pretty solid and provide you that base of innings. Now, we have some latitude to take a flyer." Andy MacPhail announces the Kevin Millwood trade from the media room at the Winter Meetings On whether Kevin...
Millwood's Place
Millwood's Place
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Pitcher Kevin Millwood heard the rumors about a pending trade to the Orioles. He wasn't exactly blindsided by the news. "I'm a little surprised," he said. "I can say that, but it wasn't a total shock." Winter Meetings Audio: Kevin Millwood calls in to talk about being traded to the O's It became a reality late this afternoon, as reporters gathered at an elevator that would take us to Andy MacPhail's suite at the Westin. Millwood was placed on a conference call after we interviewed...
Random quotes (w/ Trembley video)
Random quotes (w/ Trembley video)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Andy MacPhail on how the trade unfolded: "This is something we were aware of a couple days before we got here. We got some prep work done, and the more we looked at it, the more we liked it. We went through give and take with names for really a couple days. There were names going back and forth to try to work this out. Money was also an issue, quite honestly. There was, 'All right, I put in this much cash, I get this player. I take this cash out, I get this player.' There was that balance...
Quick hits (with video added)
Quick hits (with video added)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I'll send along transcription later from interviews with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, manager Dave Trembley and newly acquired pitcher Kevin Millwood. But first... * MacPhail said Millwood wasn't on the club's original "target sheet," but talks heated up in frigid Indianapolis. Andy MacPhail talks with Roch Kubatko about the Kevin Millwood trade * The Orioles are still interested in adding a few more pitchers, including one starter. "Absolutely," MacPhail said....
PTBNL included
PTBNL included
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Along with Chris Ray, the Orioles also will send an undisclosed player to the Rangers for pitcher Kevin Millwood. It will not be a significant player off the major league roster or from the farm system.
One reason for delay
One reason for delay
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Multiple sources are reporting that free-agent pitcher Rich Harden is on the verge of signing with the Texas Rangers. This could explain why we're still awaiting official word on the Kevin Millwood deal, beyond the exchange of medical records. I noted yesterday that the Rangers wanted to obtain another pitcher before relinquishing Millwood, with Harden being a prime candidate. This makes sense. The media's 6 p.m. meeting with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail has been pushed...
Killing time before meeting with MacPhail
Killing time before meeting with MacPhail
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I asked one of the Texas baseball writers, a veteran scribe, if Kevin Millwood is a good guy. "No," he replied. "He's a great guy. Maybe my all-time favorite. Definitely in the top three." MASN's Buck Martinez mentioned yesterday that Millwood is the type who will sit down with the young pitchers and counsel them. He gave the right-hander strong reviews. Now go out there and win 18 games. Millwood wore No. 33 in Texas. Will that be a problem in Baltimore? If the trade isn't...
Boras on Millwood
Boras on Millwood
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Agent Scott Boras drew the usual crowd of reporters today for his annual winter meetings session, meaning he was completely surrounded and anyone stuck in the back needed to read his lips. And you get to know the person in front and behind you real fast. I might be legally married to a Seattle photographer in five states. Boras represents pitcher Kevin Millwood, who reportedly is on the verge of joining the Orioles. Asked about the trade, he replied: "That is not done, but I'm sure there...