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February 3, 2009

Transaction Analysis

Roster Oddments

by Christina Kahrl

BALTIMORE ORIOLES Team Audit | DT Cards | PECOTA Cards | Depth Chart

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Acquired LHP Rich Hill from the Cubs for a PTBNL; designated LHP Brian Burres for assignment. [2/2]
Signed 4C-R Ty Wigginton to a two-year, $6 million deal. [2/3]

Raiding the Cubs' larder after picking Bill Bavasi's pocket last winter seems to be the play in the MacPhail playbook, but it's not a bad one. Even if Hill is damaged goods in terms of where he's at with his fight with Blassitis, and even if there are people in the industry questioning his commitment, we're still talking about a player who's shown electric stuff and the capacity to dominate. There hasn't been a major arm injury to contribute to his setbacks, and the classic "change of scenery" deal might perfectly suit the man, even if it involves coming into the DH league's toughest division. There's not a lot to say as far as what the Orioles can or should expect—Hill's out of options, and even if he's got his head on straight, he's probably going to be too wild to use in any other role but starting. Happily, the Orioles don't have a rotation worthy of the name that might complicate matters, so they can afford to just clear out one slot behind Jeremy Guthrie, schedule out Hill's first couple of months in it, and see how things turn out with some hands-on work with pitching coach Rick Kranitz, a fellow former Cub. There's obvious, tremendous up-side potential here—the Orioles might just have landed their best starting pitcher. They might also have added a guy they'll cut by June. Given their circumstance, however, it's exactly the sort of chance MacPhail should be taking.