Orioles add Bradford and Williamson

[KRS-One]

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According to two published reports, the Orioles might be close to adding two more relievers to their overhauled bullpen. The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the O's have an agreement in place for a three-year deal with reliever Chad Bradford, and ESPN.com is reporting that Baltimore is also expected to sign former closer Scott Williamson.

Those twin signings -- both pending physical examinations -- would fit in with the team's rebuilding plans. The Orioles have already signed relievers Jamie Walker and Danys Baez, and they also re-signed southpaw John Parrish, who missed all of last year with an elbow injury. Closer Chris Ray may be the only Baltimore reliever that returns in the same capacity.

Williamson, who appeared in 42 games with a 5.76 ERA last season, is apparently close to inking a one-year deal worth $900,000. The right-hander has had two surgeries on his pitching elbow, but the joint still gave him trouble last season. For his career, Williamson has a 27-28 record with 55 saves and a 3.32 ERA. All but 10 of his 328 career appearances were in relief.

Williamson, a former ninth-round draft pick, hasn't thrown more than 40 innings in any season since 2004. The last time he threw that many was in 2003, when he saved 21 games for the Cincinnati Reds. The 30-year-old has more strikeouts (494) than innings pitched (425) in his brief career, and he's done a decent job of limiting the walks (236).

Bradford has spent most of his career in the American League, but he was successful last year with the New York Mets. The submarine specialist went 4-2 with a 2.90 ERA last season, and more impressively, he allowed just one home run in 62 innings. Bradford has also pitched for the Boston Red Sox, the Oakland A's and the Chicago White Sox.

The 31-year-old is often used to face a couple of right-handed batters, and he'll likely fill that same role with the Orioles. Bradford held right-handers to a .256 average last season, but for his career, he's held righties to a .231 mark. Baltimore will likely use him to pitch in the sixth inning, ahead of fellow acquisitions Walker, Baez and Williamson.

My goodness, our bullpen has gone from awful to great, practically overnight!

Long Relief / Spot Starter - Hayden Penn
Long Relief / Middle Relief - John Parrish
Lefty Specialist - Jamie Walker
Righty Specialist - Chad Bradford
Middle Relief - Scott Williamson
Set-Up Man - Danys Baez
Closer - Chris Ray

[DiamondDave]

Hmmm..... at least Williamson is a bit better price than Baez.... but I'm not REAL sold on him being a real upgrade for us.....
I like the Bradford part though

[fmradioguy]

Nice job on the 'pen. Looking good.

[KRS-One]

I've wanted Chad Bradford on the O's since I played against the A's in MVP 2003, I believe it was, and he completely owned my team in the ALCS. Of course, I still won the series in 6 games, but his performance really had me scared.