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...
Debating the deal
Debating the deal
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I know we have plenty of anti-Kevin Millwood fans reading this blog, but you wanted the Orioles to accomplish something at these meetings, and obtaining a frontline starter qualifies. Millwood went 13-10 with a 3.67 ERA last year. He's made at least 29 starts in 10 of his 12 full seasons. He's topped 200 innings five times and logged 198 2/3 this summer. And while the Orioles will have to absorb more than $3 million of Millwood's $12 million contract, they won't lose a young starter...
How many starters will be added?
How many starters will be added?
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
If the Orioles can nail down this Kevin Millwood trade, which The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec learned earlier today might involve reliever Chris Ray, they still could be in the market for another starting pitcher. Don't assume that the Orioles would immediately lose interest in Erik Bedard if they acquire Millwood. They still like him and could continue negotiations, though that might become more clear later today when we meet with president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Dave Trembley gave...
Just thinking out loud
Just thinking out loud
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Trading for Kevin Millwood would give the Orioles a top-of-the-rotation starter for 2010. But for how long? If you're pondering which pitching prospect (say that three times fast) should be sent to Texas in the deal, you must also consider that the Orioles could flip Millwood to another team at the non-waiver trade deadline, making him a half-year rental. The hope, of course, is he would bring prospects in return. The bigger hope is the Orioles are contending and they need him for the...
Another morning in Indy
Another morning in Indy
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Two days down, 1 ½ to go. The annual managers luncheon takes place at noon. None of the conversation is on the record - notepads are left in back pockets, tape recorders are turned off - but it can provide insight into potential moves down the road. You also learn everybody's favorite salad dressing, but it's not worth reporting. At least one team official is optimistic that the Orioles could make a deal before the winter meetings conclude. If it doesn't happen, he's...
MacPhail on third base
MacPhail on third base
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles' brass made their first road trip during these meetings, heading over to the downtown Marriott tonight after previously hosting agents and team executives in their suite at the Westin. I'm assuming they wore the gray jerseys with "Baltimore" stitched across the chest. The group consisted of president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, director of baseball operations Matt Klentak, director of professional scouting Lee MacPhail IV, manager Dave Trembley and major league scout...
More MacPhail
More MacPhail
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles retain interest in Texas Rangers pitcher Kevin Millwood as they seek a No. 1 starter to anchor a young staff. But it seems pretty clear that they're not close to finalizing a deal unless something changes overnight. We didn't dig up much news from Andy MacPhail's media session beyond the confirmed meetings with agents that I wrote about in my previous entry. If a blog had presses, we wouldn't be stopping them. "No late-breaking developments," he said. "What about any...