Kevin Millwood

Scouts weren't impressed with Millwood's stuff last season while he was trying to get back into the big leagues by spending time at Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox released him in August, but he quickly signed with the Rockies and immediately joined their rotation. His diminishing stuff led to an elevated home-run rate (1.49 HR/9IP), but Millwood actually fared well over nine starts in Colorado thanks to excellent control (1.33 BB/9IP). Millwood signed a minor league deal with the Mariners in February, and he just may have a little something left in the tank to offer as a placeholder until the organization's pitching prospects earn their promotions.

Millwood gets points for his durability, but he's increasingly reliant on defense and fortune with balls in play, with a strikeout rate that's consistently hovered around 6.0 K/9IP. His home run rate has spiked from 0.95 HR/9IP to 1.42 over the last two seasons. If he were to land in the NL and/or in a pitcher's park he might retain some value as an innings-eater.

Millwood had a decent rebound season after consecutive seasons of 5.00-plus ERA and 1.595-plus WHIP. It's pretty easy to rebound from that. He gave Texas nearly 200 innings of pretty decent pitching, though he struggled as the season wore on (1.427 WHIP and a poor 44:27 K:BB rate in 68.2 innings after the All-Star break). Included in his second-half struggles was another leg-related injury, and he benefited greatly from Texas' improved defense. Traded to Baltimore in December, he'll give the Orioles a veteran presence to head up a young rotation.

Rapidly becoming Chan Ho Park 2.0, Millwood has now managed a 5.12 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 60 starts since the beginning of the 2007 season. A decent August saved his season from being even worse, and he has been bothered by hamstring and groin issues the past two seasons. Backing up home plate apparently taxes one's legs. Club president Nolan Ryan was putting a greater emphasis on the conditioning of Texas' pitching, so there's a small silver lining for 2009 if you squint hard enough.

Millwood bombed in 2007 after a decent 2006 campaign. There were brief periods of success, but nothing resembling his past form. His .348 BABIP will drop, but he'll need to show improved control as well if he wants to have any sort of positive roto impact. He was a decent "road only" option in 2006 (1.186 WHIP, 92 K in 113 innings), but didn't repeat the feat in 2007 (1.739 WHIP, 59 K in 88 innings).

Millwood gave Texas what they wanted, pitching 215 innings and winning 16 games. He struggled at home, posting a 5.38 ERA and racking up just 65 K in 102 innings, but his road numbers (1.19 WHIP, 92:21 K:BB in 113 innings) were solid. His batting average against before the All-Star break was a whopping .300, and it dropped to .239 after the break despite virtually identical peripherals. There's not a ton of upside here given his home park.

The love shown to Cliff Lee, who won 18 games despite a 3.79 ERA, was not shared with Millwood. Could it be anti-Scott Boros mojo? Despite a losing mark, only Millwood's second since 1997, he won the ERA title at 2.86 and was one of the most-coveted free-agent pitchers during the offseason. Millwood is not exactly an ace, but can put up nice numbers if he can remain healthy. After signing a $60 million, five-year contract with Texas, his home ballpark, however, will limit his upside.

Millwood took the ball every fifth day in the first half of 2004, but was inconsistent. In August, he was diagnosed with a sprained ligament and a strained tendon in his right elbow, effectively ending his season. He did return to throw a few innings in September and didn't require surgery. When healthy, Millwood can chew up hitters with a low-90s fastball, good slider and decent changeup. He'll be the Tribe's No. 2 or No. 3 starter behind C.C. Sabathia and/or Jake Westbrook.

After a great start, Millwood wore down in the second half of the 2003 season. The Phillies surprised the consensus opinion by granting Millwood arbitration, and he subsequently accepted. We'll see how he adjusts to the new stadium; Millwood had a significantly favorable track record at home than on the road in 2003.

After two inconsistent seasons, Millwood regained his All-Star form and won 18 games with a solid WHIP and ERA. Millwood was able to avoid the nagging injuries that plagued him the last two seasons and he maintained a consistent dominance. The question for next season is if he's turned the corner and can do this two years in a row.