Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels took the Texas Rangers where they haven’t been in a while. They dished out big money for a Kevin Millwood, a free agent pitcher. It’s something that haven’t done since the ill-fated signing of Chan Ho Park for $65 Million Dollars in 2002.
Millwood is a 31-year old veteran who rejected salary arbitration from the Cleveland Indians, and was also pursued by Boston before finally settling on Texas.
“I felt like this is a place where I'd be more comfortable,” said Millwood. “Comfort is definitely a big part of it.”
The signing is the biggest free agent signing to date for Daniels who took over for John Hart earlier this year. The deal is for about $11 million to $12 million dollars per season. “He's a front line starter,” said Daniels, “He has taken the ball in big games, pitched his butt off down the stretch for Cleveland last year, and really adds something to our club that we have sorely needed.”
Millwood is expected to lead a staff that will be totally different from one year ago, when names like Kenny Rogers, Ryan Drese, Chris Young, Chan Ho Park and Pedro Astacio made up the starting rotation. Today, all five are gone.
“Kevin can't do it by himself,” says Manager Buck Showalter. “I'm very proud of the work that's been done, to try and improve our club. It’s always an ongoing process. We're hoping we can get to the point where guys have to knock the door down in the minor leagues, as opposed to just tapping on it. We haven't been in that situation a lot, and to maintain the integrity of what we're trying to do with the organization and keep our guys, this helps.”
Agent Scott Boras says things came together in a hurry, once Millwood made up his mind. “The first decision that Kevin had to make was to understand that this place is a priority for him, and he liked Texas,” says Boras. “Tom hicks did a great job of making for him comfortable in a place in a place where he felt he had an owner that was personally involved in the desire to win.”
As for helping a younger staff, Millwood says he's ready. “Well, i've got a lot of stuff up there, I don't know if it will help or not, but I'll do my best. I think everybody would want to be in one place for their whole career, but in reality, that's not the way it is these days.”
Millwood’s signing follows last weeks deals when the Rangers acquired starter Adam Eaton, setup man Akinori Otsuka, and catching prospect Ben Killian from San Diego for pitcher Chris Young, outfielder Terrmel Sledge and Adrian Gonzalez.
Today, the starting five includes Millwood, Eaton, Vicente Padilla, Juan Dominguez, and Kameron Loe. Others in the running for a starting spot include knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, Josh Rupe, and Edison Volquez.
Unlike Chan Ho Park who had a 5-years guaranteed, Millwood essentially has a 4-year contract, and has to earn his fifth year. Either way, the Rangers hope he makes a big splash, and doesn't become a big bust.
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