Kevin Millwood

Part of being the team with the worst record in all of baseball is that you become a huge seller right before baseball's trade deadline.

As the team who fits that role, it is no surprise that the Orioles have been talked about these past weeks as being potential sellers for teams that are in the playoff race.

In return for these veterans that the Orioles currently own, team management will look for prospects who can possibly help the team in the future.

Andy MacPhail has always said that he won't make trades just to make them, but with several older veterans on a team that has already looke

It's been nearly 12.5 years since the Baltimore Orioles have been in a playoff game. It's been 12.5 years since Baltimore has last finished a season with a final record above the .500 mark. It's been nearly 5.5 years since the Orioles have seen any place in the final standings better than fourth (and if you don't count the 2004 season, it's been nearly 12.5 years, as well).

With Josh Beckett sidelined for yet another start due to back issues, it’s time to take a look at 10 current pitchers in the majors whose backs SHOULD be hurting them.

Carrying the load for a MLB team can be a burden, and aces such as right-handers Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals) and Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros) know that all too well.

Today, we’re going to quickly glance at 10 guys who are doing everything in their power to carry the team, but in most cases it’s to no avail.

And with the Astros leading the charge from the cellar, we’ll begin today’s slideshow

After a few busy days of winter meetings in the MLB, let’s take a look at the fantasy implications of some of the bigger moves:

Kevin Millwood is headed east to Baltimore after the Orioles and Rangers made a splash in the trade market today.

The Rangers receive former closer, Chris Ray and a player to be named later in the swap.

Ray, 27, closed for the Orioles in 2006, saving 33 games. He started the 2007 campaign as the closer, but underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2007.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, there is a preliminary deal between the Rangers and the Orioles to move Kevin Millwood to Baltimore.

Baltimore would send relief pitcher Chris Ray to Texas. Ray is 27 years old and has been less than stellar the past two seasons (2008: 42.2 IP, 16 saves, 4.43 ERA; 2009: 43.1 IP, zero saves, 7.27 ERA).

In 2008, he got shut down because of Tommy John surgery, and he hasn't shown that he's recovered fully yet.

Right when it appeared Kevin Millwood would finally pitch to the level of his contract, bad stuff has begun to happen. The Rangers ace has quite simply run out of gas.

Since the All Star Break Kevin Millwood has pitched awful, with a 5.32 ERA and just two wins in nine starts. Before the break he was 9-8 and had an ERA of 3.46. He has just two wins in two months. It may only be luck Millwood managed to keep his ERA down earlier this season.

The Texas Rangers came into the series hosting the Angels at the end of a terrible June.  For the month, Texas had a losing record, the worst hitting, and worst on-base percentage.  And worst of all they had lost their lead over the Angels.

Down 1.5 games to the Angels, and the Mariners only 2.5 behind Texas, the Rangers needed a big showing against the defending AL West champ Angels and defending AL champ Rays.

Monday: L, 2-5 (40-35)

Every season at this time, baseball fans everywhere are frustrated with the All-Star selections. This is an annual part of the season that never changes, but snubbing Kevin Millwood is inexcusable.

Pitching in a stadium that doubles as a launching pad and an oven, Millwood has been more than good in the first half. He’s been dominating for a team that isn’t exactly used to dominating pitchers.

After their difficult two week stretch in which the Rangers played four potential playoff teams, it looked as though the team would get a little bit of a break against two middle of the road teams in Houston and San Francisco.

However, with a 2-4 week that included being swept out of San Francisco and with the Angels continuing on their hot streak, the Rangers' lead in the AL West is only a half game.