The Baltimore Sun is now reporting that Kevin Millwood has officially been obtained for Chris Ray, and a player to be named.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-kevin-millwood-trade-1209,0,4877522.story
If you are an Oriole fan, you should be encouraged by the move.
While Millwood does not figure to be in Baltimore past 2010, he will help solidify the rotation with 30 starts, and nearly 200 innings. I think Ray has a good chance to reemerge as a solid back of the bullpen option, but the reality is the Orioles were likely to non-tender Ray this off-season.
Millwood’s peripheral stats are not going to look pretty next year, but he is going to help keep the bullpen from being overworked. For a team looking to make the climb to respectability, you have to make this move. You especially have to make this move, if as an organization you were not committed to allowing Ray to continued to build back from his injury.
My money says this winds-up being a win/win trade for Texas, and Baltimore. Beyond saving millions of dollars, I think Ray rebounds from his horrific 2009 season and becomes a solid set-up man in 2010. Millwood will do his part in helping the O’s end their string of 12 consecutive losing-seasons.
One thing I have seen bandied about – that I find unlikely to happen – is the idea of Baltimore using Millwood as trade-bait this coming Summer. Having that as an option is a bonus, but I suspect he will be an Oriole uniform all of 2010.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.