Conflicting Millwood stories

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 23, 2005 9:41 PM CST in News

Evan Grant updates the Kevin Millwood situation, with the news that there are conflicting stories out there about what the Rangers have offered:

One source with knowledge of the negotiations indicated the Rangers' offer was for three guaranteed years at a little more than $10 million per year. Another, however, said the Rangers had guaranteed a fourth year that would take the value to more than $40 million.

I generally have an opinion on all things Rangers, but on Millwood, I don't know what to think. I'm conflicted about this whole thing.

I don't think Millwood is going to be a #1 caliber starter for the next few years, but on the other hand, I don't think he's likely to be a complete trainwreck, either.

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I didn't realize

Millwood led the AL in quality starts (20). Maybe he is the first building block for a good rotation. Lot of money. Hopefully, worth it.

by Ed Coffin on Dec 23, 2005 11:59 PM CST reply actions

Conflicted

Conflicted is the name of the game with Millwood. Pretty much everyone agrees the $ we're talking about for him is overpaying, but pretty much everyone also agrees he'd help this team a lot.

I hope we sign him. But I'm almost positive I'll regret it at some point during his tenure.

Somebody's got to win the West in '06. Why not Texas???

by thedirkatron on Dec 24, 2005 12:04 AM CST reply actions

Overpaying

Has it occurred to anyone that no one is really "overpaying" anymore? Quality pitching is just like the price of gas. It's just gone up. We have to deal with it.

by chief on Dec 24, 2005 1:43 AM CST reply actions

Here's the one thing I don't get

If Millwood wasn't worth the risk of a long-term deal last year, what makes him a good bet this season?

Visiting from South Side Sox.

by The Cheat on Dec 24, 2005 1:53 AM CST reply actions

I don't think

anyone's saying he's a good bet.

There are two issues:

1) What is the price of a dependable starter now a days?

You take a look at what the mediocre undependable starters are getting and you realize that you have to pay quite a bit to get a quality starter. Plus the pitching market has basically gone up from last season.

2) What performance level can you reasonably expect out of Kevin Millwood?

While I don't believe that Millwood is a 2.86 ERA pitcher, I DO believe he is above average. The question is how much above average he is going to be. His peripherals have always been pretty solid. Plus with the GMs going gaga over his ERA, this justifies in some minds that Millwood is a good bet long-term.

I don't necessarily agree with that, but considering the absolute dearth of quality pitching that the Rangers have, I could see worse options than signing Millwood long term considering they don't have anyone else they could really spend it on in the near future.

Plus, why would I want Hicks to line his already filled pockets?

Req

by Requiem on Dec 24, 2005 2:39 AM CST up reply actions