The Orioles dealt right-handed reliever Chad Bradford to the Rays today, for a player to be named later. This is surprising because Bradford has been very effective this year, and the fact that we dealt him to Tampa means that no one with a worse record than the Rays (everyone in the AL except the Angels) claimed Bradford. Really? Nobody thought this guy who gets ground ball after ground ball, doesnt walk anyone, and has an ERA around 2.50 was worth taking? It's not like he has a huge contract (he is signed next year for 3.5 million), so I am surprised he got to Tampa. Good luck to Chad down there, and I hope he helps the Rays fend off Boston and New York.
As for what we got back, who knows. We know a few things, though: I would guess it's a player on Tampa's 40 man roster. If it was someone who wasn't, they could have just made the deal, as only players on the 40-man need to clear waivers. However, one option being mentioned is that Tampa gave the Orioles a list of non-40 man players to choose from, and the O's will now scout those guys for a few weeks and determine which one they like the most.
If it is someone from the 40-man, however, I'd assume what happened is that whoever the Orioles wanted back was claimed by someone before he got to them. So, they make the deal as a PTBNL, and after the season it can be announced who it was, and the deal can be made.
There is some talk that this is purely a salary dump, but I just don't think so. Bradford was very good this season and signed somewhat cheaply for next. I understand wanting to open up his spot for some younger guys (Randor Bierd could fill his role nicely), but I just refuse to believe Andy MacPhail didn't get back at least something useful. We may have to wait until November or so to find out.
What we will definitely find out tomorrow is who will be replacing Bradford on the active roster. To me, the most logical option would be to call up Hayden Penn, insert him in the rotation and move Dennis Sarfate back to the bullpen. Penn has pitched very well his last 3 starts (excluding the one he only went 2/3 of an inning because he was hit with the shard of a broken bat.) He threw 5 shutout innings Tuesday, and has no options next season, so it would really be to our benefit to let him get 10 starts or so in the majors this season and see what we have. Another option could be Kam Mickoilo, another piece of the Bedard trade from this past winter. He has been lights-out at Norfolk, and would be plugged into the O's bullpen.
Anyways, good luck to Chad down in Tampa, and hopefully that PTBNL will be someone useful for the Birds. The O's are off today, but open up a quick 3 game homestand tomorrow night against Texas, with Jeremy Guthrie on the hill against the Rangers' Luis Mendoza.
Keywords: Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays
