Orioles Set Rotation With Wells

The Baltimore Orioles cemented their starting rotation Tuesday by obtaining left-hander David Wells from the cost-conscious Cincinnati Reds in exchange for outfielder Curtis Goodwin and minor league outfielder Trovin Valdez.

Wells, 32, was 16-8 with the Detroit Tigers and the Reds during the 1995 season. Oriole General Manager Pat Gillick, making deals at a breakneck pace since taking the job late last month, said Wells will fit nicely in a rotation of right-handers Mike Mussina, Scott Erickson and Jimmy Haynes and left-hander Kent Mercker.

Wells is scheduled to make $3 million plus incentives in 1996, the final year of his current contract. “We had our eye on Kenny Rogers and Chuck Finley,” Gillick said, “but we don’t like to get tied down with three- or four-year deals.”