Millwood goes west

[love_that_reefer]

The Mariners have agreed to sign Kevin Millwood, according to a report by Richard Walker of Millwood's hometown newspaper, the Gaston Gazette. Walker credits Millwood's sister for breaking the news on her Facebook page over the weekend. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirms the move and adds that it's a minor league deal (Twitter links).

Millwood, who turned 37 recently, pitched 54 1/3 innings of 3.98 ERA ball for the Rockies in 2011, with a 6.0 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9 with a 42.2% groundball rate. He reportedly declined a $1MM contract offer from the Rockies prior to the Winter Meetings in hopes of securing a $3MM guarantee.

Millwood signed a five-year, $60MM contract with the Rangers prior to the 2006 season, and has spent exactly 1,000 innings since that date calling a hitter-friendly ballpark his home (he also pitched at Camden Yards for the Orioles and Coors Field last season). A pitchers' haven like Safeco Field in Seattle will likely benefit the veteran right-hander in 2012.

Millwood, who is represented by Scott Boras, will provide depth in a Mariners rotation that lost Michael Pineda in the Jesus Montero trade. Felix Hernandez, Jason Vargas, and Hisashi Iwakuma figure to be locks for the rotation, while Millwood, Hector Noesi, Blake Beavan, and Charlie Furbush are also candidates. Heyman feels that Millwood has a "good chance" to make the team, and notes that he played for manager Eric Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis during his Cleveland days.

First Oliver Perez and now Millwood. Next, Bill "Spaceman" Lee.

[missionhockey21]

On a minor league deal... this is a solid signing for sure.

[Kingdom]

First Oliver Perez and now Millwood. Next, Bill "Spaceman" Lee.

ooooh, Kei Igawa! And Kirk Saarloose!

[TheEazyMack]

The Mariners have agreed to sign Kevin Millwood, according to a report by Richard Walker of Millwood's hometown newspaper, the Gaston Gazette. Walker credits Millwood's sister for breaking the news on her Facebook page over the weekend. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirms the move and adds that it's a minor league deal (Twitter links).

He said she said he said she said he said...

[love_that_reefer]

Kevin Millwood turned in a strong 2012/Mariners debut Wednesday, holding the Rangers to just one run on four hits and three walks in six innings of Seattle's 4-3 victory in Texas.
He struck out seven, and most encouragingly after being somewhat prone to the long-ball in recent seasons, served up zero home runs.

Not bad

[Porter]

It was a good solid start. Well see where that goes.

[Kingdom]

His April sucked but May and June have been strong. Overlooked: Complete game shut out of the Rockies at Coors.