Chris Ray: "I haven't heard anything"
Chris Ray has now been mentioned as an Oriole that could possibly go to Texas in a deal for Kevin Millwood.
But that's news to Ray himself.
"I haven't heard anything. I'm not surprised I haven't heard anything. I don't think my agent would know anything about this either," Ray said by phone from Baltimore's ESPNZone where today he took part in the O's annual Christmas party for kids.
"A trade could happen anytime. It's something you just try not to think about. The offseason is just a time to get ready for the season. As a player it would probably be tougher if this came up during the season."
Ray was drafted by the O's in the third round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft out of William & Mary and Baltimore is the only organization he's ever known.
"I hope to stay an Oriole. Things are looking good for me right now with this club. But it's out of my hands."
Last year, Ray, who saved 33 games in 2006, went 0-4, 7.27 in 46 games and also pitched some in the minors as he continues a come back from elbow surgery from August of 2007.
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
Steve:
As I just said on Roch's blog, I would definately take Millwood and add Bedard. Compare them to the veterans we added last year to hold the fort while the kids developed.
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Millwood AND Bedard would be some dramatic upgrade over what they started last year with in the rotation. They would really have the makings of a decent rotation, plus quality depth at Triple-A. Would be two pretty solid pickups if they both happen......Steve
I would take Millwood for Ray any day. Ray's had two years now to recover from his surgery and the results still aren't there. I hope Ray winds up being a successful reliever for Texas but I would still make that trade.
I'd take Bedard back too but only with a heavily incentive laced contract. The annual trips to the DL and getting "gassed" after five innings needs to stop. He pitches, he gets more money; if not, no.
A Millwood for Ray deal is definitely a trade I'd like even though I like Ray as a truly decent guy.
Although I do like Chris Ray and am expecting him to bounceback this year this deal is a total steal. You are trading a reliever with an era over 6.00 for your Opening Day SP. Now, Millwood might be a #2 on most teams and possibly a #3 on others but he is an inning eater and that is what the bullpen needs. If the trade happens you have a rotation of Millwood, Bergesen, Guthrie, Matusz, Tillman. If you can get Bedard, whenever he is ready to pitch you can ship Guthrie to another team or to the bullpen and if he stays healthy you have Millwood, Bedard, Bergesen, Matusz, Tillman with Arrieta in AAA and Britton in AA just waiting to get the call up. This starting rotation to go with a lineup that will have a better year from Wieters and a Reimold that isn't playing with a bad Achilles can definitely break the .500 mark that the Orioles haven't seen in quite sometime.
Congrats MacPhail, if you pull this off you did it again.
Andy's style reminds me of Ali back in the day....lay back, lay back, lay back, then...BOOM BOOM BOOM done deal!