MLB Rumors: New York Yankees Definitely Have Interest in Kevin Millwood

Bronx Baseball Daily

Feb 17, 2011

Via Joel Sherman of the NY Post:

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The Yankees definitely have interest in lingering free agent Kevin Millwood. But they remain adamant that they will not pay a significant amount for him and it may be that the Yanks will only do this if the righty accepts a minor league contract like Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon.
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This is not exactly new information. We knew that the Yankees were interested and we knew that Millwood wants somewhere around $4-$5 million, but the Yanks were balking at that price. It’s important though that there is still a connection. Pitchers and catchers have already reported to spring training, so at some point it is possible that the Yankees say it’s too late for Millwood.

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We also didn’t know that they would prefer signing him on a minor league deal. I speculated a little that a non-guaranteed deal may be what the Yankees were looking for, but wasn't certain if that’s what they were actually looking for.

If they insist on signing him to a minor league deal it will be interesting. His only other suitor at this point is the Cleveland Indians. They’re not expected to do much at all this season, so it will be interesting to see if they offer him a major league deal or if Millwood will choose a minor league deal with the Yankees.

The guaranteed money may be what’s important at this point.

The two sides don’t have to rush, Millwood is a veteran who knows how to prepare himself and he’ll be on the back-end of the rotation anyway. But hopefully this gets wrapped up quickly if it’s going to happen. Pitchers and catchers already reported on Monday and the longer he waits, the less time he’ll have or getting familiar with the coaching staff and the catchers.

Even though he’s a veteran, it could eventually cut into his performance.