Breaking News: Per Balt. Sun, O's, Texas Agree to Deal to swap Millwood, cash for Ray

[nemO821]

This is a great move. It adds a very reliable pitcher to our rotation which we really havent had for a couple of years and makes it eaiser for us to sign a player such as Bedard coming off an injury because we wont have to rush him into starting by the beginning of the season.

[Tony-OH]

If this deal goes down as reported it's a great deal for the O's. Ray is replaceable.

[Going Underground]

Schmuck seemed to the think the Millwood deal would rule out another expensive starter like Lackey or Pineiro, but my guess is that we'd still be interested in Bedard and Harden.

Don't forget Escobar too. They also might look at Washburn if no one in the Midwest wants him.

[Maverick2143]

Awesome deal if as advertised.

Anyone else thinking Millwood could be the 2010 version of Sutcliff?

[Birds08]

If this deal goes down as reported it's a great deal for the O's. Ray is replaceable.

Agreed. Ray hadn't been a good pitcher since 2006.

[tywright]

If this deal goes down as reported it's a great deal for the O's. Ray is replaceable.

Exactly...we need to sign a Kevin Gregg and possibly move DH into Ray's role

[Nemyar]

Little bit too good to believe, honestly. >.>

[SilentJames]

This si a great deal if it breaks down this way. Very very happy.

[Stotle]

I don't know that I'd want Milwood were he a FA, but the fact that it's for 1 year and that TEX is picking up salary (hopefully a quarter or more) makes it okay in my book. Fine treading water move while BAL waits for young arms to develop. I don't think it's great, but it is what it is.

[Flip217]

I think this is a smart deal, not necessarily a great deal. We get an experienced pitcher to help the youngsters along, and assuming he stays healthy he'll eat up a lot of innings, too.

In return we lose a guy who's showed some potential but clearly hasn't evolved into the closer we hoped he'd be -- though I think he might still get there.

Millwood won't carry us into the postseason on his back, but he helps the O's in several ways.

I hope this all works out!

[tywright]

Awesome deal if as advertised.

Anyone else thinking Millwood could be the 2010 version of Sutcliff?

Yeah that's a very good comp. Hopefully he can handle the AL East though. The MFY lit him up last year (6.35 ERA in 2 starts and 11IP), but he did very well against the Sox, Rays, and Jays (4-1 in 6 starts).

[Stotle]

Agreed. Ray hadn't been a good pitcher since 2006.

To be fair, prior to last year's damn-the-peripherals season, neither has Milwood -- and he's much more expensive.

[adamwolff11]

Basically feel the same way everyone else does, this is great for the Orioles. I like Ray as much as the next guy, but if he is all we're giving up in this situation I think it's an absolutely brilliant deal! Great work Andy, if this goes through!

[Boy Howdy]

Awesome deal if as advertised.

Anyone else thinking Millwood could be the 2010 version of Sutcliff?

I wondered something like that on this very board a few days ago. Frobby or Moose or somebody triggered my brain with a thread comparing the 1992 & 2010 O's awhile back.

If it's really for Ray, I can't really see a negative here.

[Sports Guy]

I would expect Millwood to give us what Guthrie gave us last year..maybe a little better.

But we have a staff that should eat innings, which should help a pen that has potential to be pretty good.

Its only one year and I think Ray should be non tendered anyway...So, this is essentially a 1 year FA contract for Millwood.

As I said, getting one of these stop gap, innings eaters to sign a one year contract to play here may be very difficult.

End of the day, this is a very good trade for us...Millwood isn't spectacular but this is a deal that could end up reaping huge benefits for us if Millwood has a good first half.

Worse case scenario...You have wasted money and Ray regains his old form...Still, its not a terrible worse case scenario.