The Curious Case of Kevin Millwood

The Yankees are going to have to make a decision regarding Kevin Millwood. Millwood is set to become a free agent on Sunday night if he isn't brought up to the Major Leagues. Millwood has been working his way through the Yankees minor league system, trying to get his arm in shape to possibly take a spot in the Yankees rotation. So far, Millwood has had a mixed bag in the minors. He has posted a 2-0 record and 1.29 ERA, one start each in AA Trenton and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. However, those numbers are deceiving because he has struck out 6 and walked 5 and his fastball hovers around 85 MPH. Can he survive at the Major League level with a K/BB ratio lacking any disparity? Can he fool hitters with an 85 MPH fastball?

These are questions the Yankees need answers to as they race towards Sunday's deadline. So far, reclamation projects like Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia have been successful for the Yankees. Colon has shown a good fastball while Garcia has pitched very well while throwing between 85-97 MPH with his fastball. Could Millwood survive as Garcia has? Possibly. But if Millwood can't find the strike zone with his stuff he will get shelled in the Majors, especially in the AL East. Walking 5 minor league hitters in two starts is not exactly encouraging. However, that could be based on him trying to get his arm in shape, or trying to master his offspeed stuff. Whatever the reason, Millwood won't stay with the Yankees past Sunday if he isn't called up. After all, he was reluctant to sign a minor league deal with the Yankees, even as Spring Training was coming to a close.

The Yankees decision was made even tougher after Ivan Nova pitched so well against the White Sox on Tuesday night going 6.1 innings while allowing only 1 run. Had Nova not fared as well this decision about Millwood would be even easier for the Yankees. Nova does have one more start before the Yankees have to make a decision but if he pitches well I don't know if the Yankees should mess with the kid just for the sake of a 36 year-old pitcher. Is it more important to have one decent or good year, or maybe a disastrous one, rather than possibly several good years from Nova?

If I were in Brian Cashman's position I would not risk ruining the progress Nova has made, and will continue to make, as he gains experience. Millwood was terrible last season for the Orioles where he went 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 65 BB's, and 132 K's. He allowed 223 hits in 190.2 innings which isn't good, even without the 65 BB's. Millwood is not anywhere near the pitcher he was for the Braves, and the Yankees have already rolled the dice twice on two aged veterans in Garcia and Colon. Do they really need a third? Or does Brian Cashman want Millwood around so that he has pitching depth? Does he think Nova would be better off in the bullpen or stashed at AAA in case one of the aged three breaks down? That would be a wise plan but you can't run your team based upon injuries that haven't happened yet. Or can you? Brian Cashman has a decision to make and the time is rapidly approaching for it to be made.