Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Kevin Millwood

Orioles Rumors: Wigginton, Uehara, Izturis

By | at

You might see Ty Wigginton in an Orioles uniform next season, but it’s less likely that the club re-signs Kevin Millwood or Julio Lugo. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun that he has preliminary interest in re-signing some of Baltimore’s free agents, though final decisions are months away. Here are the details:

  • Ty Wigginton: The Orioles have interest in re-signing Wigginton, and the infielder told Connolly that he would consider returning in 2011. "I enjoy getting to go out and compete and put on a Baltimore Orioles uniform,” Wigginton said. “I think I can definitely be a good fit; we'll just have to see how everything works out."
  • Koji Uehara: The reliever said he’s not thinking about next year, but confirmed that he wanted to pitch for an MLB team. Uehara, who projects as a Type B free agent under the Elias Rankings, would do well to sign for a couple million, as Tim Dierkes explained today.
  • Cesar Izturis: The shortstop says he’d like to spend the rest of his career in Baltimore, and the O’s have’t ruled out bringing him back.
  • Corey Patterson: Connolly points out that if Patterson re-signs, the sides will likely reach a deal late in the offseason.
  • Kevin Millwood: Millwood may seek out a pitcher-friendly environment after years of pitching in Baltimore and Texas. An arbitration offer seems unlikely for the projected Type B free agent.
  • Mark Hendrickson: The Orioles have a $1.2MM option for the lefty’s services in 2011, so he could return.

 

Padres Looking At Starters, Interested In Millwood?

By | at

As improbable as many may have believed it to be prior to the season, it's August 29 and the Padres hold a six-game lead on the NL West. According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Kevin Millwood is just "one of many" possibilities for the Padres as they look to upgrade their rotation.

Millwood's overall numbers certainly don't inspire confidence at first glance — a 5.34 ERA, 6.1 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, and 1.5 HR/9 (his highest mark since 2001) through 160 innings don't mix well with his league-leading 194 hits allowed.

Over his last five starts however, Millwood's posted a 2.83 ERA through 35 innings, and while he's faced some very poor offenses in there, he also has two very good starts against the White Sox and Angels to his name. Some of his peripherals, such as his .329 BABIP and 4.60 xFIP, suggest that he's been the victim of some bad luck as well.

Rosenthal states that the Pads aren't necessarily optimistic about acquiring a starter; they only want one who would be an upgrade, and Millwood obviously isn't a clear-cut improvement. The Padres also could turn to Tim Stauffer, who's having a fine season of his own (1.40 ERA, 7.0 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 through 45 innings), or Cory Luebke, who holds a 10-1 record and a 2.68 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A if they decide against making a trade.

The Padres may not feel they need a veteran upgrade so much as they simply would like someone to take some of the workload off their young rotation arms. It goes without saying that moving to a more spacious park like Petco would do any starter a favor, especially someone like Millwood who's been plagued by the long ball. Pitching the NL West as opposed to the AL East wouldn't hurt either.

Millwood is making $12MM in 2010, though the Rangers picked up $3MM of that when he was shipped to the Orioles last winter. Baltimore is on the hook for the remaining $1.76MM of Millwood's salary, which would also be an obstacle in any trade.

What The Elias Rankings Mean For Trade Candidates

By | at

Many of this year's trade candidates share a distinguishing characteristic: they are about to become free agents. After the season, their teams will decide whether to offer arbitration and have a chance at top picks in next year's draft. A player's ranking can contribute to or detract from his trade value, so let's take a look at some of this year's trade candidates and see where they place under our reverse-engineered Elias rankings. 

We'll start with some trade candidates who project as Type A free agents. If these players decline arbitration offers to sign elsewhere, their former teams will receive two top picks in the 2011 draft. These players are sometimes more inclined to accept arbitration, since their Type A status can intimidate would-be suitors who don't want to surrender a pick (just ask Juan Cruz and Orlando Hudson).

It's important to note that teams don't necessarily give first rounders up to sign the players below. The first 15 picks are protected and sometimes teams sign more than one Type A player. Say the Red Sox sign Adam Dunn (75.8 ranking) and Scott Downs (74.6 ranking) and both were offered arb. The Nationals would get Boston's top pick and the Blue Jays would get their second-best pick because Dunn ranks higher than Downs. In that instance, Downs only costs the Red Sox a second rounder.

Once a team signs one Type A free agent, the cost of signing a second and a third drops, since the club is giving up lesser picks. Rafael Soriano (88.9), Vladimir Guerrero (88.6), Carl Crawford (85.5), Javier Vazquez (79.0) and Adrian Beltre (78.9) could all get arbitration offers this winter, so Type As, especially lower-ranked players, don't always cost a first rounder. With that in mind, here are some trade candidates who currently have Type A status:

  • Cliff Lee (91.8) – He is getting an arbitration offer and turning it down. Lee's Type A status boosts his trade value.
  • Jayson Werth (86.0) – Same goes for Werth.
  • David DeJesus (78.3)- Matt Klaassen of FanGraphs argued yesterday that the Royals shouldn't offer arbitration, since DeJesus would accept. It's entirely possible that the Royals can get more value for DeJesus in a trade, but I don't think DeJesus would necessarily accept arbitration. He will easily be a top-five outfielder if his team lets him hit free agency instead of picking up his $6MM option. And if he accepts? The team has an above-average outfielder on an affordable one-year deal.
  • Adam Dunn (75.8) – He will get an arbitration offer and will probably turn it down. Dunn's Type A status boosts his trade value.
  • Scott Downs (74.6) – Earlier this week, I suggested the Blue Jays could offer Downs arbitration and either collect the picks or pay him $5MM or so in 2011. There's a good chance that Downs accepts an offer of arbitration, but the chance at two top picks probably makes that a risk worth taking. 
  • Miguel Tejada (74.4) – It's hard to imagine teams forfeiting picks to sign Tejada. It seems unlikely that a team would offer arbitration. Tejada's Type A status doesn't affect his trade value (and he is only a couple points away from becoming a Type B).
  • Ted Lilly (74.3) – Lilly will be a top free agent starter after the season, so the Cubs will likely offer arbitration. Lilly's Type A status boosts his trade value.

And here are some players who currently project as Type B free agents. These players will bring their former teams a supplementary round pick if they decline arbitration to sign elsewhere. But teams don't have to give up their picks to sign Type Bs, which makes these players appealing as free agents.

  • John Buck – J. P. Arencibia is Toronto's catcher of the future, but it's easy to imagine the Blue Jays (or another team) offering Buck arbitration after the season. It worked last year, when the Jays got a supplemental rounder for losing Rod Barajas. Buck wouldn't make much through arbitration, so his Type B status boosts his trade value.
  • Jose Guillen – It's extremely hard to imagine the Royals offering arbitration. His Type B status does not affect his trade value.
  • Mike Lowell – Same goes for Lowell.
  • Kevin Millwood – And for Millwood.
  • Jason Frasor – Frasor makes only $2.65MM this year, so he wouldn't be making an overwhelming amount even if he accepted arbitration. Obtaining a pick for Frasor would be a plus, so his Type B status helps his trade value.
  • Derrek Lee – Given Lee's struggles and salary, it's hard to imagine his team offering arbitration.
  • Cristian Guzman – Guzman makes $8MM this year and though players aren't guaranteed raises via this kind of arbitration, Guzman isn't even worth his current salary on the open market. An arbitration offer seems unlikely, so his status doesn't affect his trade value.
  • Octavio Dotel –  Like Frasor, Dotel could see an offer of arbitration, depending on how he finishes the season, so his Type B status helps his trade value. The Pirates have a $4MM option for Dotel that becomes mutual if he is traded.
  • Aaron Heilman – It seems unlikely that the D'Backs would feel comfortable offering Heilman arbitration, given his inconsistent performance in 2010, so his status doesn't help his trade value.

Odds & Ends: Millwood, Cardinals, Rangers, Pettitte

By | at

Links for Tuesday, as the Cliff Lee rumors get a little juicier…

Kevin Millwood Is “Off The Block”

By | at

Kevin Millwood's underwhelming performance in recent starts coupled with injury rumors have resulted in the hurler being taken "off the block", according to Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com (via Twitter).  Ghiroli theorized that Millwood could be injured after he lasted just one inning and allowed five runs in today's start against the Tigers.

The veteran pitcher's value was already plummeting after a dreadful June.  Millwood posted an 8.82 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in six starts.  His latest outing gives him an ERA above ten in his last seven starts.

The Mets were linked to the 35-year-old for quite some time but are said to no longer have him on their radar.  Other teams, such as the Cardinals, have considered Millwood, though his $12MM salary is a sticking point.

Odds & Ends: Zambrano, Millwood, Orioles, Ausmus

By | at

Let's check out some tidbits from around the web on this Fourth Of July eve..

Mets Not Interested In Millwood, Westbrook

By | at

The Mets want to acquire starting pitching, but they’re interested in arms like Cliff Lee and Ted Lilly, not mid-rotation types. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that the Mets are now content with R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi and are not interested in Kevin Millwood or Jake Westbrook.

The Mets have not yet had detailed discussions with the Mariners about a possible Lee deal, but GM Omar Minaya is willing to part with top prospects once he knows which ones the Mariners covet. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reported today that the Mariners have not yet started telling teams which players interest them. The Mariners like Jenrry Mejia according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, so the injured pitcher could figure into talks if and when they begin.

If the Mets do not acquire Lee, they could try to pry Ted Lilly away from the Cubs. The Mets believe Oswalt is available, though they’re reluctant to take on tens of millions in salary and hand the Astros top prospects.

Free Agent Stock Watch: June 2010 Edition

By | at

Players only have six months to establish their value on the free agent market, so every month counts. Let's take a look at some (not all, but some) of the upcoming free agents who have seen their stock rise or fall this June. First, a few players who have seen their free agent stock drop:

  • Livan Hernandez – It wasn't an awful month for Hernandez, who posted a 5.12 ERA in June. But he had an improbably low 2.15 ERA entering the month and June showed that he won't be able to sustain that mark with peripherals like his (4.8 K/9, 3.7 BB/9 in June).
  • David Eckstein – Eckstein didn't have a bad month, either. He batted .273/.308/.323 and the Padres stayed in the race, but it wasn't long ago that Eckstein appeared to be raising his free agent stock with a standout all-around season.
  • Kevin Millwood – It was a rough month for Millwood, who had a sub-4.00 ERA at the end of May, even though he had yet to win at that point. In June, Millwood had an 8.78 ERA and opponents posted a 1.032 OPS against him.
  • Ty Wigginton – There's no question that Wigginton, one of Baltimore's top trade chips, had a poor June. He didn't hit a home run and posted a .207/.298/.256 line. He broke out with two exceptional months in April and May, but his stock has since fallen considerably.

And some players who are in position to demand better deals thanks to a big month:

  • Cliff Lee – Lee's strong play suggests his early-season abdominal injury is no longer an issue. He has a 1.76 ERA this month and has rattled off four complete game wins in his last five starts. Impressive. No one knows where Lee will be playing August 1st, but this much is certain: he helped his free agent stock this June.
  • Ted Lilly – Lilly posted a 2.57 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 this month, solidifying his place among the top free agent starters this winter.
  • Hiroki Kuroda – Back in May, Kuroda seemed poised to attract interest from many clubs after the season. He has posted 8.9 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and a 2.67 ERA this month against some stiff competition (the Braves, Cardinals, Reds, Yankees and Red Sox).
  • Adrian Beltre - Beltre, who will presumably opt out of his contract and seek a multi-year deal this winter, has established himself as a legitimate MVP candidate. He has played strong defense and hit .378/.425/.684 in June.
  • Manny Ramirez and Victor Martinez would have been candidates for this list were it not for their recent injuries.

All stats are as of the morning of June 30th. This list is not intended to include all 2011 free agents who have had noteworthy months. Feel free to add more players in the comments.

Olney’s Latest: Zambrano, Starting Pitchers, Indians

By | at

In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney writes about how Diamondbacks' manager A.J. Hinch went against the grain by leaving Edwin Jackson in to throw 149 pitches as he no-hit the Rays last night. One unnamed manager blamed the media for the pitch count craze, but I want to add that much of it has to do with teams protecting investments. With the rise of salaries throughout the game even from just ten years ago, teams don't want to unnecessarily put a pitcher in the line of danger, so to speak. 

Here are the rest of Olney's rumors…

  • The Cubs may wish they could get rid of Carlos Zambrano following his latest tirade, but Olney points out that there's still $45MM left on his contract. Chicago would have to eat a huge chunk of that money to unload him.
  • The trade market doesn't figure to be very robust this summer because there just isn't a lot of money available around the league. The starting pitching market probably won't budge until Cliff Lee is dealt, at which point second tier fodder like Ben Sheets and Kevin Millwood would draw more attention.
  • The Indians' two most marketable players are Austin Kearns and Russell Branyan because neither is making big money. Kearns is owed approximately $417K the rest of the season, Branyan $1.11MM, and both will become free agents as season's end.

Rangers Have Room For Rental Player

By | at

According to GM Jon Daniels, the Rangers have room in their budget to trade for a player whose contract expires at season's end, tweets Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio. However, in a second tweet, Bowden notes that the club would require the court's permission to acquire a player whose contract runs past 2010.

The news is a mixed bag for Rangers fans who are curious to know how the team's sale and a recent judge's ruling will affect the club's ability to make trades. On one hand, Daniels makes it clear that acquiring an impact pitcher like Cliff Lee is still a possibility. Conversely, trading for a player with a multi-year contract like Roy Oswalt's would be more difficult to pull off. On top of that, if the Rangers were to trade for Lee or another player whose contract expires this year, they'd essentially be renters, as signing anyone to an extension seems unlikely at the moment.

Ted Lilly, Kevin Millwood, Ben Sheets, and Jake Westbrook are a few other potentially available arms who aren't under contract past this season.

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top