MLB Rumor Mill: New York Yankees Eyeing Millwood?

Kevin Millwood, who is represented by Scott Boras, is reportedly asking for at least $4-$5 million in the free agent market.

That is a ton for a pitcher who has had an ERA north of 5.00 in three out of the last four seasons.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes:

"There is a salary hang-up, with (Kevin) Millwood still asking too much for some teams’ liking at this late stage of free agency. The Mets, Yankees, and Indians are keeping an eye on him."

The expression "beggars can’t be choosers" works well here to explain the situation, as there isn’t much left on the market and Millwood at least has impeccable durability going for him.

Eventually some team could break and give in to what he’s demanding.

The New York Yankees may not have much in the way of pitching, but they do have Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, Sergio Mitre, and a group of prospects ready to step up and try to win a spot. Because of that they probably have a limit to how much they’re willing to spend on Millwood and will only sign him if he drops below that line.

The Mets don’t scare me much.

They’ve been very frugal this offseason and Millwood’s asking price would have to drop quite a bit for them to be real players.

The team that could step up and sign Millwood is the Indians.

He has a history with that team and they always need all the pitching they can get (who doesn’t?), especially with the likelihood that teams will continue to call about Fausto Carmona until he is moved.

If they feel any urgency at all to add another starter they could step up their offer and land him.