November 23, 2010|By Dan Connolly, The Baltimore Sun
Millwood, 35, was 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA in 31 games for the Orioles. He made $12 million last season in the final year of a five-year deal he signed with the Texas Rangers. The Orioles haven't ruled out bringing him back, but that scenario is unlikely. The Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals are among teams with interest in Millwood.
The Orioles' other free agents — Ty Wigginton, Cesar Izturis, Julio Lugo, Mark Hendrickson and Corey Patterson — did not qualify for potential compensatory picks.
O's, Rupe agree to terms
The Orioles agreed to terms with right-handed reliever Josh Rupe on a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training.
Rupe, 28, made 11 appearances for the Royals in 2010, going 1-1 with a 5.59 ERA and allowing 14 hits and seven walks in 92/3 innings. He spent the majority of the season at Triple-A Omaha, compiling a 2-4 record, a 2.90 ERA and 10 saves.
He's very familiar with Showalter, having made his major league debut with the Rangers in 2005. He is expected to start the 2011 season at Triple-A Norfolk.
Komminsk, Hocking likely on move
With the big league coaching staff completed, Orioles director of player development John Stockstill will begin to finalize the affiliates' staffs.
Gary Allenson, the Orioles' third base coach for the final four months of the 2010 season, will return to managing Norfolk. His staff is expected to include Brad Komminsk, who has managed Double-A Bowie the past three seasons. Komminsk likely will be the Tides' hitting coach.
Former major leaguer Denny Hocking, who was the field coach for Single-A Frederick, will be promoted to Bowie, though his coaching role hasn't been defined. The Orioles are expected to fill Komminsk's spot at Bowie internally.
No bid on Nishioka
The Orioles' search for a shortstop likely will not include Japanese player Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Bids for the Chiba Lotte Marines infielder were accepted until Tuesday afternoon, and the Orioles did not offer one, according to multiple sources. The club first would have to win the posting rights before negotiating with Nishioka, a 26-year-old switch-hitter who had a league-leading .346 average in Japan in 2010. Although the Orioles scouted Nishioka and had interest, they felt that there are better options in the majors.
dan.connolly@baltsun.com
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Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec contributed to this article.
