Hill is official (updated with quotes)
The Orioles have completed the trade for Rich Hill, sending the Cubs a PTBNL.
Pitcher Brian Burres has been designated for assignment to make room for Hill.
I was late on that prediction, but I knew it was coming.
Burres was 7-10 with a 6.04 ERA in 31 games (22 starts) with the Orioles last season. His chances of making the team took a serious hit when the Orioles signed Mark Hendrickson. They also want to give Chris Waters a long look. And Hill, who's out of options, could be stashed in the bullpen as a swingman if he doesn't crack the rotation.
The Orioles are banking on Hill's familiarity and comfort with pitching coach Rick Kranitz and bullpen coach Alan Dunn bringing him back to his 2007 form.
"In any case, it certainly seemed to make sense to us to take a risk on what could be a high-reward left-handed starting pitcher who's pitched under very competitive and pennant-contending circumstances and done extraordinarily well," team president Andy MacPhail said. "We're giving him a chance to get back to where he was."
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry deserves credit for showing enough compassion for Hill that he placed him in the most favorable environment. He wants Hill to regain his confidence and effectiveness, and he figures it's more likely to happen in Baltimore than Seattle or elsewhere.
As for the PTBNL, don't expect it to be revealed anytime soon. Hill's performance will dictate the quality of the player. But no worries - it won't be one of the Orioles' top prospects. The Cubs don't have their choice of anyone in the organization. That's not how it works.
I just hope this doesn't turn into another Chad Bradford situation, where I'm asked about it 20 times a day. That one got a little crazy.
I'll have more from MacPhail later in the day, but I also wanted to confirm that the Orioles haven't closed the door on adding another pitcher.
"We always are looking," MacPhail said. "We never say we're done. I think that would be foolish. We're always looking and we'll see how it goes. We still have ongoing discussions with a lot of players out there. But I don't have anything on the horizon right now."
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Brian Burres - is he out of options? Does he have to clear waivers?
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Believe he has one option left. This move just takes him off the 40-man roster. - Roch
A move worthy of the risk. If Hill comes even romotely close to 2007 form this is a steal and if not, then Burres was not the answer anyway.
am i the only one not thrilled with this move? do we really need another youngster with command problems?
What a great move. Give up next to nothing for a possible Guthrie 2.0. Great job AM!!
"What does it say" (now I'm sounding like Amber Theoharis) about Burres, that the Cubs would rather have an unknown lower level player, when, presumably they could have had Burres for Hill?
Roch -
3 things the O's could do to make this an A+ off-season
(all of these are within reason)
1,2 - Sign Looper,and Wigginton
3 - Extend Brian Roberts
I like this move, though he doesn't fit with the administration's emphasis on control, and think after getting him, we should refrain from adding Looper. I'd rather see if Hill, Penn, or Pauley can stick. Which leaves us with two of those guys, and Albers, or Waters, Hennessey, Baez or Liz behind Guthrie and Uehara. These guys are already stopgaps, why bring on another, especially with guys like Bergeson and Hernandez potentially more available halfway through the season.
I especially like this move if it leaves Hendrickson as a reliever and only occasional starter.
This just popped in on MLB TradeRumors
Orioles Acquire Rich Hill
By Tim Dierkes [February 2 at 10:36am CST]
10:36am: According to a press release from the Cubs, they've traded Hill to the Orioles for a player to be named later. A sensible low-risk move for the Orioles, who can afford to let Hill take his lumps at the big league level. The AL East may not be the ideal environment for him, but it's worth a shot.
Since AM is just seemingly swiping anything he wants to from Cubbie Land, how bout taking Vitters while they're not looking?!
Sadly enough with the way our pitchers have a tendency to drop like flies once the season gets underway Burres may still spend time in Baltimore this season anyway.
Excellent deal because Hill's control issues are likely to be solved by Kranitz and Trembley.
Roch, any word on O's continued pursuit of Looper? He'd still be an outstanding addition to the staff?
Thanks for the scoops.
Hard to believe that some don't see what a great move this can be.
I also don't get the fascination with Braden Looper. Does anybody really think that he will make a difference this season?
Anyway... Nice pickup by MacPhail. Big upside potential with very low risk. Just what they should be looking for.
Roch......as usual the first to the plate with info. Great job. I think this is a good sign for the way AM is handling things. So, now that this is out of the way, what level of talent do you think the PTBNL will be? Any ideas? Also, where do you think we are at in the Looper chase?
Your insight is always appreciated. The 14th is coming soon and I'll be jealous and cold in Baltimore. Enjoy the weather for all of us.
GREAT....you are on the ball this morning Roch...I agree with Burres being released...he is not that good most of the time...TWA....I agree with you...sign Looper and Wigginton and extend Robets...if I had to pick one or the other of Looper or Wigginton I guess it would have to be Looper...offense is not bad as is...come on ST...McPhail and Roch working hard this morning already...keep the news flowing ...
Roch
Is it true Rick Kranitz was coach of the I-Cubs? Because it's very encouraging to know that in three stints, Hill was 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA for the I-Cubs.
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Yep, Triple-A pitching coach. - Roch
Roch,
I can be a "player to be named later." Heck, you can name me "Rodrigo Lopez" later if it gets me a job.
Roch, as far as options go...
If a player has one option left does mean he can be optioned to the minors only one more time
or
optioned as many times as needed for one more season?
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The latter. - Roch
Great move! I'm thrilled!
Great move. The only tricky thing is that Kranitz will have to work with Hill on the fly at the major league level... no real way to stash him away until he figures it out. Should be interesting to say the least.
Larry from Towson: What are you talking about? Why would we give them Burres for Hill? They get a lower level, less developed prospect at some point which makes a lot more sense for the O's as the Cubs were basically a couple weeks away from not getting anything for him. McPhail pulled some strings due to his connections with the Cubs (he was the GM there not long ago) and instead of us hoping that we can get him from the waiver and probably loosing him we are going to give them something much less valuable than Burres.
I like the deal, the thing about pitching prospects is that either they have the stuff or they don't and Hill has the stuff. Command, patience, and confidence are things that can be molded into him, and I think Krantiz is the guy to do just that. He may end up a long reliever but that is something we are probably going to need a lot of this year.
Rich, any word on adding another starter? I saw some rumors a couple of weeks ago stating that we were almost certain to sign another starter our of FA, however, other than a few Looper rumors it appears that this rumor is fading?
Let the PTBNL from the Chad Bradford deal go to the Cubs.
I've to admire Mr. Andy MacPhail's resourcefulness. He has been trying to make chicken salad out of chicken feathers rather successfully.
Great move. Very little down side to this, especially reuniting him with his coaches. This is the type of risk that a good front office makes. Most importantly, with so many arms in the mix, we can give the young guys more time to ferment in the minors. When they are ready we can easily trade or cut the supurfulous arms.
I like this if for no other reason then we don't have to see them trot Brian Burres out there every 5th day. That was painful to watch! I don't mean any disrespect to Burres, I just always thought he was better out of the pen. I would be ok if we didn't sign Looper, I still don't see why we would do that, and risk losing Penn, Pauley, or hill. I think we need to give them a real good look, more than just a few innings in spring training.
Roch what do you think of the O's signing Looper, how many pitchers do you feel they should take to spring training? Seems to me they already have a lot of guys that they need to weed through.
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If they can get Looper, go for it. But guys are going to have to fight for innings now. Good thing they've got a few intrasquad and split-squad games scheduled this spring. That'll help. - Roch
I like the deal Roch because it's low risk and maybe Hill finds his control again. If he doesn't, the deal won't cost the O's much so why not make the deal?
Now, they need to extend Brian Roberts. The trade market for him is not there right now.
I'm thrilled that we're giving this guy a chance. I am neither a fan of Olson, even though he's not here anymore, or Liz (I think he's no where close to being ready and has not impressed me at all), so giving a guy a chance who has experience and has done well, if only for the one year, sounds like a "win-win" situation to me.
I'm so glad we did not do the Roberts trade last year. Pretty much most of those guys, except for Sean Gallagher, we could have gotten for nothing (and did end up w/some of them anyway).
I personally like Chris Waters over Brian Burres, so I'm glad we did not designate Waters instead.
Great move - for those of you saying that we basically just picked up Daniel Cabrera again, I disagree. Cabrera never had the strike zone. Hill has had solid major league success - in 2006, he had a WHIP of 1.23, and in 2007, his WHIP was 1.19. I don't think Cabrera sniffed those WHIP's in any individual start! I do see this as a possible Guthrie 2.0, but with even higher upside... Great move, I believe in Andy!
I think this is a steal. A lot of people are comparing Hill to D-Cab... two points...
1. Cabrera never had a season in the big leagues as Hill in 2007.
2. Whereas Cabrera was starting to get hit hard and not missing any bats along with his control issues, even with his control issues last year Hill doesn't get hit, strikes out a ton of people, and keeps the ball in the yard. Between Hill's 2006 and 2007 seasons, he has 300 quality innings at the big league level. He made all of 5 starts last year and was hurt the whole season. Whenever he's been healthy he's been excellent. Can't say that about anyone on the O's besides Guthrie. Oh, and he's a lefty! I think this will turn out well.
Isn't Hill's arm falling off or close to it?
With this Move you have to pick us in front of the Blue Jays. I would Have to believe we are a 500 team now.!! That is a great start for me.
On an unrelated note I just want to say how much The Maryland Lottery sucks!!! During Springsteen, Come on!!!!!!!
Hey Roch...Great signing, stock pile arms and let them battle it out in Ft. Lauderdale. MacPhail is making great moves, we're going in the right direction!
Caribbean Series starts tonight with Dominican v. Venezuela, going to turn it on? any thoughts?
Andy continues to make shrewd moves. Last year the Cubbies weren't ready to part with their high profile prospects and the O's weren't ready to part with Roberts, now because the Cubs can't afford to develop their prospects on the Big League level, the O's reap the benefits and keep Roberts.
The Cubs are the NL's version of the Yankees now, and would rather buy a clubhouse than spend the time to foster a good, young, united team.
The O's have stacked the farm teams and while providing the ML squad with plenty of high ceilings players with plenty to prove. If we can make it to August without the wheels completely falling off and the bullpen becoming the new rotation, it'll be a very bright future with a ton of talent still to come.
Hey Roch,
Who is the PTBNL?
twa,
I think the priorities there are a little off.
I'd consider it to be an A+ offseason if we lock up Roberts even without signing Wigginton or Looper.
Roch,
I like this trade!!! Hill may be a bust and gone by April but he could be one of those guys that benifits for a change in scenery. Personally I think the way to complete in the AL EAST is good left handed pitching.
I don't get the Brian Burres being let go, he is a lefty so he will not clear wavers. Plus he has another option, so why not put him at AAA. I bet we wil need his arm by July. I thought Scott Moore was a better fit to come off the 40 man.
it would now seem like extending Roberts would be the priority. The starting pitching for next year and a few years after might be a little rough while these young guys cut their teeth. The bullpen has some quality arms and will have plenty of options once some of the minor league starters fall short, like J.J. The outfield and catching spots are secure for the next 5-6 years with plenty of major and minor league talent. The only real weak spot in this organization is the infield and signing Roberts would go a long way to solving that problem. We have a couple of corner prospects in Snyder, Rowell & Henson but there is no depth in the system up the middle going all the way to low A ball. We also don't have any lead-off hitting prospects in the upper levels. Roberts is an all-star player who has done great things in the community, just the kind of guy who belongs in a winning organization.
Roch, what did the Orioles get for Chad Br--
No I'm just kidding! I'm annoyed by those questions, too. Hill is a great acquisition, whether or not he pans out. And optioning Burres was a very good idea. No way he makes this team over Hendrickson, Pauley, Penn, Hennessey, Hill, etc.
If nothing else, I look forward to some real competition in spring training this year.
Great move since there is no risk (except the risk of hurting Burres' confidence.) Should be a battle royale for rotation spots in Ft Lauderdale. Bring it on.
I think this was a good move; it will be an excellent move if Hill rediscovers his old form. If another team picks up Burres it certainly would not be the end of the world as I don't think he fits into the Orioles' short or long term plans.
So how does this PTBNL work? If Hill makes the 25 man roster the Cubs get their pick off a list of certain players and if he doesn't make the roster they get a pick of other (lesser) players?
Larry from Towson - interesting point. If Burres has an option left, they could have done a straight deal of Hill for Burres and stashed Burres in the minors. It might not directly reflect on their feelings about Burres, though; the deal as they've done it would give them a shot at Burres anyway, as he's now on waivers and free to anyone (teams with poorer records get first crack). Done this way, they get the PTBNL for certain and possibly Burres, too, should they want to try.
I like this move, but am concerned at MacPhail's penchant for the Cubs and the NL Central. The Bedard trade and Bierd for Pauley are about the only times he's stepped out of the division he used to know best, as he's shipped Tejada to Houston and Hernandez to Cincinnati. Heck, even Izturis was his SS in Chicago at one time.
Hill has one of the oddest methods of throwing a ball ever seen on a major league field. I'm not sure why he bends his back so abruptly at the top of his windup, but he might want to consider modifying that move. Maybe the O's pitching coaches can smooth him out. I know Lou Pinella had seen enough of Mr. Hill. But, last season Pinella also had seen enough of Scott Eyre, LHRP, who was promptly snapped up by the Phillies. Eyres helped the Phils immensely in their pennant drive. I hope Hill reverses his and the O's fortunes with a change of scenery.
Yahoo's fantasy review of the new O's is pretty dismal. I don't think any of them have any fantasy value. How do you build a contender getting players like that. Everybody thinks all these players are another Guthrie waiting to happen and they are going to wind up getting cut..The O's best chance at winning is pushing their own players through the system and challenge them.
Andy said "we still have ongoing negotiations with a lot of players out there." Roch, besides Looper, who could he be referring to?
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Ohman? Wigginton? - Roch
Larry from Towson said:
"What does it say" (now I'm sounding like Amber Theoharis)
If only you looked like Amber! Well maybe not, that would be kinda werid, with you being a man and all.
Hey Roch, The game is on for Looper. Over the weekend, the Rox signed Fodd. They had been in the hunt for Looper, slightly behind the Dodgers. Over the weekend, Dan O'Dowd made it official, signing Fogg. A lot of stuff in Denver about player emails asking, "When is Fogg coming back?" O'Dowd officially closed the door on Looper. The rumors on the Dodgers signing Wolf are getting stronger. They are number #1 to sign him and soon. Another Looper destination lost. Only the Mets are keeping Looper in sight as a fall back player. If AM moves fast, he can probably sign Looper right now. The move in Denver by the Rox was not on anybody's screen until it happened. Nose around on this one. Something can happen fast here.
I agree with TWA, except we dont need wigginton at all.
Lets get Looper and extend Roberts. Andy mcPhail has been doing a wonderful job this offseason in my opinion.
Rocher, the only question about the Hill acquisition is this: do you think Drew from WNST will check off on it? LOL I don't think they've made one move that dude has approved of all off-season. Do you know him at all? Is he really that much of *rick in real life? I like the move, especially since we don't have to give up anything yet. The only problem would be if he doesn't make the team. I can't even see that as a possibility though. AM wouldn't have pulled the trigger if that would have been remotely possible, right? Wait, let's see what Forrester thinks about it first. Love ya Rocher.
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Wow, did you just drop the "L" word on me? This is so sudden! Thanks. And I only know Drew enough to say hello. Haven't really had an extensive conversation with him. - Roch
Roch
I have to agree with TWA on this
3 things the O's could do to make this an A+ off-season
(all of these are within reason)
1,2 - Sign Looper,and Wigginton
3 - Extend Brian Roberts
although I'd rather put Roberts as #1 I know he's older but it would show everyone the O's are serious about the future. Besides who else is going to be as productive as a lead-off hitter and base stealer? Nobody I see in the minors that could move up for a while. Get it done already
I think we we have to credit Andy Mc for get getting 2 pieces with high upside that were supposed to be parts of the big Roberts trade to the Cubs last year for almost nothing. These are the kind of moves the good Orioles teams made in the past. I would rather have gotten Lohse last year but Looper is solid and Wiggington reminds me of a Lowenstein/Dwyer type not a stud but a guy that you need to have to to help build a solid team
From the sounds of things, they DOA'ed the better P.
AM meant to say they are always looking for CHEAP pitching...
Roch, any truth to the rumor that AM is in talks with the Cubs about acquiring the Ivy from the OF wall at Wrigley? I already guessed the bat boy acquisition was not true....
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I believe the Orioles are in discussions about renaming Baltimore "the windy city." - Roch
great move do the cubs have anybody else out of options
Think of how fulfilling it would be to sign Roberts to an extension now...we get to keep him AND pretty much get the major parts of the package we would have traded him for last year! I know that's been said before, but it is worth repeating.
So, two of the players the Orioles wanted last year in exchange for Brian Roberts are now Orioles...and so is Brian Roberts.
I just want to point that out again to everyone who has whined over the last 12 months about that trade not getting done.
I still don't see Roberts getting resigned. Despite what hes says in interviews I do not believe he wants to come back. It is not about money or a fourth year, Roberts wants to win now and not 2 years from now. We just need to find a suitor or collect our draft picks a year from now.....
So Roch,
Here's how it works: I get named "Rodrigo Lopez" later and get sent to Chicago. Then, since I'm in Chicago Andy will trade for me, 'cause he likes to trade with the Cubs and the O's need me to stop gaps 'n' stuff!
WOOOOHOOOO!! Where's my Jack Daniel's? Ft. Lauderdale here I come!!
I think we fans are beginning to learn to be patient with our GM who is patient with other teams. We assumed the offseason was a waste 3 weeks ago but we have made a number of small but significant moves to legitimize the defense and improve a below average rotation. Andy seems to know what we are and what we are not. He made a buzz last year with the trades, but this year he has shown restraint and calculated risk at times. It's important to recognize how far we have come in terms of organizational leadership. I'll never totally forgive PA for how he ran this organization into the ground, but I respect his current approach.
Random thoughts- the Phelps-Bonds comparisons don't work because Phelps' use doesn't affect the integrity of sport. His use demonstrates he didn't learn his lesson from his DUI post 2004 which is the biggest problem. Swimmers never know how to handle partying because they are busy training year-round. They are almost as bad as child actors...
I like Hill but his struggles in Venezuela most recently are a bit worrisome. He still has 10x the upside of DCab. I agree with others about the difference between having done it and having "potential". Hendrickson with with near 8+ ERA in the second half seems as hittable as DCab. I'm thrilled he is now viewed as a 5/swing-man rather than a definite starter.
Last thought- Terrell Sugg's tap on Kerry Collins shoulder got a 15-yard penalty. James Harrison's Rocky training scene audition earned the same penalty. How about a RED CARD?
Speaking of red cards, I know there aren't many soccer fans here, but if you watch one game this year it should be US v. Mexico on Feb. 11. There won't be any pretend Red Sox- Yankee hatred with A-Fraud slapping a pitcher's glove.
Mybe AM could $ign up the Illinois Gov for a FO position... I heard Blago was out of options....
Roch,
With the dearth of pitching coming our way this season, what do you think will be Dave Trembley's thought process on whether to have 12 or 13 man pitching staff? It would seem with all of the arms at the Major/AAA level, he could go with 12 Pitchers, thus adding another player to the already thin bench. Any thoughts?
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Two ways to look at it: Yours, for sure, but also that with all those pitchers being out of options, he'll need to keep 13. Performance will end up dictating it. No sense keeping 13 if you don't have that many guys who deserve it. - Roch
The Rich Hill move that the local MLB baseball team (The Baltimore Cubsouth) is inconsequential. Hill will be released and in another organization by early June.
I have to agree with PhilF.
How can anyone not be pleased with this deal? A year ago Hill was nearly an untouchable, now he's an oriole on the cheap.
And, why the fascination with Looper? He's a bum and the Orioles already have plenty of them. Why pay another? There are enough arms available to avoid having to use Matusz, Tillman or Arrieta in '09. Penn, Liz, Albers, Baez, Waters, Pauley, Hill, Hendrickson,Patton and Hennessey are all options to pitch behind Guthrie and Uehara. Why add looper?
Joe in the Dena - I think you're too soft a grader.
Alan - Good analysis - let's get Looper.
Adam and Alan - Thanks - and I see Scott/Wigginton as Roenicke/Lowenstein. These guys kill opposing pitchers who are throwing from the opposite side. I don't think it's outlandish to think that this combo at DH could produce Texieraesque numbers.
kind of funny that in a round about way we traded olson and that other dude for pie and hill....haha if both pie and hill turn in respectable seasons it would be pretty damn funny.
Roch,
Will Burres still get and invite to ST? He doesn't have to go through the waiver process does he?
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He was designated for assignment, so no guarantee that he stays in the organization. He could be traded or put on waivers. - Roch
Burres was the best April pitcher the Orioles had, he always pitched well in cold weather. Who can forget the game he pitched against the White Sox last year in late April? 8 innings of 3 hit shutout ball! Or the time he and Jim Johnson combined for a shutout against the hated Yankees in mid-April. If only Brian could have pitched in below 50 degree weather all the time! We should have DFA'd someone else (Scott Moore) and we should have kept Burres through April or until the weather warmed up, then optioned him to Norfolk not to be seen again until next March/April.
Welcome Rich Hill! Hope Kranitz can work his Orioles Magic to get him straightened out.
The team's looking good heading down to Fort Lauderdale....I agree with the Wiggy/Luuuuke DH action...Before I said I wanted Brian signed for a four year forty mil deal, but since that does not include this year, three years for thirty is plenty; if it's about the money, he won't do any better and after Spring Training that window will be closed. If JJ gets a shot a starting, we could have a C+ rotation. If they insist on using him in the bullpen, I hope they're grooming him to be a closer, otherwise they'll blow his arm out in this '8th inning' role