In his first opportunity to speak in person to fans and the Baltimore media, starting pitcher Kevin Millwood disputed the notion that he's unhappy being an Oriole.

That perception is "wrong," said Millwood, who was acquired by the Orioles from the Texas Rangers in December for reliever Chris Ray. "If you're looking for me to get real excited, it's not going to happen. I'm the same way on the mound. If I'm getting my brains beat in, I'm not going to get too down about it, and if [I'm pitching well], then I'm not going to get real excited. That's just the way I am. Please don't take anything from my tone. It's probably not going to change all year."

Millwood's tone and his responses to questions both on the conference call with the Baltimore media after the trade and on several local radio shows since prompted fans to question his desire to pitch for the Orioles.

However, speaking at the team's FanFest on Saturday at the Baltimore Convention Center, Millwood acknowledged that the trade initially took him by surprise, but "the longer I got to think about it, the more I've gotten used to it, and I'm definitely excited about it."

Millwood, 35, went 13-10 with a 3.67 ERA in 31 starts for the Rangers last season. The Orioles acquired him because they were looking for a veteran to provide both innings and leadership at the top of the rotation.

"I just want to pitch, and when I'm done pitching, whatever I can do to help some of the younger guys out, I'll do it," Millwood said. "I don't want to be a guy that throws things in guys' faces. I wouldn't demand anything, obviously, but anything I can do to help make them better, I'm all for it."

What's next for Wiggy?

Orioles infielder Ty Wigginton was a teammate of Miguel Tejada with the Houston Astros in 2008. He described Tejada, who reached agreement on a one-year deal with the Orioles on Saturday , as an "unbelievable teammate, one of the most popular teammates I've had."

Wigginton said that the addition of Tejada will help the Orioles, but he also knows that the new third baseman's presence will significantly cut into his at-bats. Wigginton signed a two-year deal with the Orioles before last season with the knowledge that Melvin Mora would likely move on via free agency and he would get a chance to succeed him in the 2010 season.

That's clearly not in the Orioles' plans, and they now have to consider moving Wigginton, who hit .273 with 11 homers and 41 RBIs in 122 games last year.

"There's nothing really I can do about it," said Wigginton, who looked in much better shape than he was in last year. ... I want to play. That's the reason I came here last year. They told me that I'd have the opportunity to start this year."

Not giving it up easy

While center fielder Adam Jones was pleased to learn that his team was close to officially adding Tejada, he immediately thought of one drawback. Tejada has worn No. 10 throughout his career, and that is the number Jones currently wears with the Orioles.

"This number issue is going to keep coming up," Jones said with a smile. "I respect the game enough where if he wants it, it's his. I want a Rolex, but it's his."

In good health

All the Orioles who saw their seasons shortened by injuries last year said they were in good health and should be unrestricted by the time spring training begins next month. That list includes outfielders Felix Pie, Nolan Reimold and Jones, and pitchers Brad Bergesen, Kam Mickolio and Dennis Sarfate.

Reimold said his surgically repaired left Achilles tendon is still a little sore but he has progressed to where he expected to be at this point in the offseason.

"With a couple of more weeks, I'm pretty certain I'll be good to go," Reimold said.

Erbe soaks up FanFest

No Oriole appeared to enjoy FanFest as much as pitching prospect Brandon Erbe, a Baltimore native who played at McDonogh before getting drafted by his hometown club in 2005. It wasn't his first FanFest by any stretch.

"I used to come to this with my family when I was young, like in the early '90s. I used to think it was unbelievable," said Erbe, a 22-year-old right-hander who went 5-3 with a 2.34 ERA in 14 starts for Double-A Bowie last year. "For me, it's a little more personal, growing up here, 10 minutes from the stadium. My family is here now, and their minds are kind of blown by this whole thing."

Around the horn

An announced attendance of more than 12,000 was on hand for Saturday's FanFest, and the crowd made an impression on several Orioles. "I know I was sitting up there with [reliever] Cla Meredith and he said, 'Holy cow, I can't believe how many people are here.' It looked like a great turnout," second baseman Brian Roberts said. ... Roberts, a close friend of outfielder Matt Holliday's, said the free agent gave serious consideration to signing with the Orioles before he reached agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals. "I think the Orioles made a serious offer and Matt gave it consideration, but in the end, St.Louis really stepped up and that was the place he needed to be. ... With a corner infield in the fold, Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail is seeking to sign two left-handed relievers, one being Mark Hendrickson. ... At this point, the Orioles' chances of signing free-agent pitcher and their former ace Erik Bedard appear slim as the Orioles have had no significant negotiations with Bedard's agent.