December 12, 2004
Millwood - Examination
By Don Ford
Let’s examine what Kevin Millwood could bring to the table in St. Louis. Millwood is a 29-year-old right-hander with a 98-64 career record over eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. He owns a 3.89 career ERA and throws a fastball in the 92-94 mph range. Millwood has been masterful at times in his career posting a 2.86 ERA with 205 strikeouts in 1999 and throwing a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants in 2003.
The Cards have made it known that they are perusing a dominating power pitcher to round out the rotation and Millwood might be as close as they can get with a limited budget. Millwood has a good reputation for working with younger players and would be a welcome addition in the clubhouse. At age 29 he should still have plenty of life left in his arm and Dave Duncan might be able to bring out the best in the Millwood.
Philadelphia did not offer Millwood salary arbitration on the $11 Million dollars he made last season, possibly the worst season of his career. Millwood struggled to a 4.85 ERA in 25 starts in 2004, battling acute tendonitis in his right elbow. This poor season could be what allows the Cardinals to obtain Millwood because he will now be affordable. Because of his struggles last season the Cards could land Millwood at the going rate for starting pitchers this off-season- something around 3 years at $21 Million dollars.
Signing Millwood could be the Cardinals best option because it would allow us flexibility to meet fill holes at SS and 2B, keep our good young prospects, and because Philadelphia did not offer Millwood arbitration we will not have to give up a draft pick to get him. While trading for Tim Hudson or Randy Johnson or signing Pedro Martinez are all more exciting options Millwood could be the economical choice.
Filling the starting rotation spot that was vacated by Woody Williams with Millwood with allow Haren and Ankiel to stay with the club filling spots in the bullpen and making starts if there are injuries. Millwood would come about $7 million a year less than what Pedro Martinez would cost (about $14 million annually) and we could certainly use that money to sign a SS and 2B combination like Orlando Cabrera and Placido Polanco.
Related Reports
ESPN.com reports if the Cardinals do not re-sign Edgar Renteria, they may be able to open a little financial wiggle room to fill other holes – namely, pitching.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cards already have spoken with agent Scott Boras about pitchers Kevin Millwood and Derek Lowe. Millwood is a favorite of pitching coach Dave Duncan, while Lowe fits the ground-ball demographic preferred by the club.
