Re-signing Kevin Millwood longshot for Indians

[Pierzynski 12]

CLEVELAND -- Unless the Indians suddenly unearth a buried treasure chest full of cash under Jacobs Field, free agent starter Kevin Millwood has likely made his last pitch for the club.

 

Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro, who was able to sign starter Paul Byrd and re-sign closer Bob Wickman during the winter meetings in Dallas, said the Indians have little hope of landing Millwood.

 

"At this point," said Shapiro, who spent a combined $19.5 million for Byrd and Wickman, "the chances of Kevin Millwood being back with us next year are very remote, if not almost impossible."

 

Millwood, who in his first season with Cleveland led the American League in ERA, is seeking a five-year deal comparable to the $55 million package A.J. Burnett got from the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

That's too rich for the Indians, who still need to add another starter, reliever and right-handed power hitter.

 

“ At this point, the chances of Kevin Millwood being back with us next year are very remote, if not almost impossible. ”

— Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro

 

Shapiro didn't sign Wickman to a one-year, $5 million deal until he had been turned down by Trevor Hoffman, who re-signed with the San Diego Padres for less money and a year less than Cleveland offered the 38-year-old.

 

Shapiro said he isn't worried about Wickman having a bruised ego at being Plan B for Cleveland despite tying for the AL lead with 45 saves last season.

 

"There is a feeling of compassion for what Bob went through," said Shapiro. "Nobody wants to feel like they are not the number one choice. But it's not because we didn't like Bob. It was because we had the chance to get a multiple year guy. Bob was always an alternative for us, and one we feel good about."

 

Wickman's deal includes performance bonuses of $150,000 for 50 games finished; $250,000 for 55 games finished; and $300,000 each for 60 and 65 games finished.

 

The club continues to negotiate with Scott Elarton, who went 11-9 for Cleveland last season and would like to return. If the Indians can't re-sign the right-hander, the No. 5 spot in the rotation could go to Jason Davis, Fausto Carmona or Jeremy Sowers.

 

"We'd rather have Elarton in that spot," said Shapiro, "but the fact is that we do have some alternatives within the organization for that spot, plus other needs in other areas of our team that are part of the equation as well."

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2253143

Edited December 9, 2005 by Pierzynski 12

[Kyyle23]

Why does it seem like the Indians are really close to slipping back into neutral? I really thought Shapiro and Wedge were going to have something to reckon with next year, and it looks like they are gonna try and overpower with offense again. I think losing Millwood is huge for this team