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.

Slap Shots

Some more random stuff from around the world of sports.

-The Rangers season is now officially over. It looks like the Rangers were a rudderless ship against the Capitals. Losing Ryan Callahan hurt but someone needed to step up and although Brandon Dubinsky looked good it just wasn't enough. I have to wonder about Marian Gaborik's future in New York after his poor showing this season. He just never seemed to get comfortable. Perhaps getting a better play making center like Brad Richards would allow Gabby to flourish. If not, he won't be a Ranger after next season for sure. However, it wasn't all negative with the Rangers. They are still a VERY young team with a lot of grit. This team will be hungry next season and I expect them to win a playoff series if not more. This is a team on the rise.

-Russell Martin is one of Brian Cashman's best ever pickups. His hot start has helped stabilize the transition from Jorge Posada to whatever the future may hold. He has played in 16 of 17 games and now has six home runs after his two-homer performance tonight (and it still isn't over as I write this). For the price the returns are already paying dividends.

-Brandon Marshall is once again having off-field troubles. He was stabbed by his wife in the abdomen with a kitchen knife after an altercation. I'm no psychologist but it seems like he is having trouble dealing with former teammate Darrent Williams' death. IT is documented that Marshall was one of those present at the fight, or disagreement, that preceded the shooting. I honestly think, from an outsiders view, that Marshall might have a form of PTSD and he is trying hard to live with his friends death but is not finding an outlet. I hope he can get through this as he is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.

-Kevin Millwood threw seven innings of two run ball for the SWB Yankees today. He never went above 89 on the radar gun and was around 85-87 throughout. It was reported on Twitter by SWBYankeesTT that there was good movement on Millwood's stuff. I guess this is encouraging. I believe there are 8 more days until the Yankees have to promote Millwood to the Yankees or grant him free agency. Could Ivan Nova's time in the rotation be in doubt? Probably. Or a move to the bullpen could be likely.

-So Orioles pitcher Josh Rupe drills Russell Martin in the back. There is no doubt that was intentional. Then, Brett Gardner takes Rupe deep. Brett Gardner of all people. Perfect.

-So, it looks like Jason Bay is happy to be healthy again. The Mets need him to play like this.

-The Pepsi Maxx commercial with C.C. Sabathia arriving "Field of Dreams"-like into a cornfield in Iowa with all the baseball greats hanging out. Great nostalgic commercial and having the three Rickey Henderson's in there is classic. Great job.

Well, that's all for now. Enjoy the rest of the night.

Pop Flies

Some more random stuff from around sports for today:

-The Brewers signed Ryan Braun to a five-year contract extension which extends his seven year deal he signed in 2008. He will make an additional $105 million for those five years which will take him to his age 36 season. I think I like this deal. Braun is much more likely to age better than fellow Brewers star Prince Fielder. Locking him up now until he is probably going to no longer be a star player is excellent financial responsibility. There is no telling how much Braun would have asked for in free agency. Of course, there is always the downfall that Braun loses his talent a bit too early, ask the Cleveland Indians about their contract extensions to their young players back in the early 2000's and ask them if they were the wise moves everyone touted them to be. Still, I think Braun should be a good player for years to come and the Brewers already locked up Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks for a few more years. Not to mention their commitment to Zack Greinke. Maybe things will turn around in Milwaukee one of these days.

-With the start the Mets are off to and the hot start for Jose Reyes maybe it is time to start feeling out trades for the shortstop. I don't know who would be looking to part with what the Mets would need to get out of Reyes but perhaps its time to start seeing what's out there. Maybe the Tigers, Red Sox, and maybe even the White Sox if they get sick of waiting for Alexi Ramirez could make a play for him. I'm not sure the Red Sox will though with Marco Scutaro already there and Jed Lowrie playing so well lately. Plus the money would be prohibitive for them.

-Speaking of the Mets, they should make a play for the recently designated for assignment Brandon Wood. Wood, a former first round pick of the Angels in 2007 still is young, 26, and the talent was there at one point. He can probably play adequate defense at second since he has played some shortstop in the past as well as third. Why not give this kid a shot? He has power, has a decent enough glove and won't cost much. Give the kid a shot and let him rip for 500 at bats from second base. It's not like he would be taking the spot of a hot prospect at second.

-According to reports, Kevin Millwood is going to be making a start for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. So far his fastball is still sitting in the mid 80's, not exactly where it was when he was with Atlanta in the late 1990's. I don't know if he is a step up over what the Yankees already have.

-Bartolo Colon had a nice start against the Blue Jays on Wednesday but I don't know how long this guy can hold up. Health has been an issue with him in recent years, not to mention weight. Throw in the fact he pitched in winter ball and I see a breakdown coming one of these days. Still, I can't help but root for the guy and hope he can stay healthy and keep pitching like this.

-Speaking of oft-injured pitchers, Mark Prior went on the 7-day DL in SWB. Prior who has not pitched in the majors since 4,000 years ago hurt his groin. At least it wasn't his elbow or shoulder. I am rooting hard for this guy to make it back to the big leagues.

-Is there a quick fix for the Mets? No. But one way to ensure future success is to start drafting above slot which means you spend a little more per prospect but, as in the Yankees case in 2010, can actually save money on your first round pick to sign the guys you draft in rounds 2-7. The Mets need to restock their farm system and it wouldn't hurt to adapt a system that several teams are having success with.

-Commissioner Bud Selig has stated he would like to expand the MLB Playoffs by adding an extra wild card team. Make sense. You gotta get more markets excited about their seasons and giving the number one team a first round bye is the best idea out there. If you wanna be the best you gotta beat the best.

-Nets GM Billy King thinks newly acquired point guard Deron Williams will re-sign with the Nets. Man, for his sake I hope so. The Nets gave up a lot to get him and if leaves via free agency the Nets will be set back for another five years.

-Call me old fashioned, or nuts, but I HATE the NBA lottery system. When you're the worst team in basketball how can you expect to get better when you don't get the number one pick. Do you think Minnesota will be able to get much better if they get the number 7 pick instead of the first pick they deserve? Stupid, just stupid.

-Ike Davis hit a crushing home run to deep center field tonight. It came right after Jason Bay turned a routine fly ball to shallow right field into a four base error after Hunter Pence dropped the ball. Good job by Bay not giving up. He could have run a little harder out of the box but not much. I'll give him credit for scoring on what should have been an out. Chris Capuano was also surprising tonight. The Mets just need a bullpen and a young Carlos Beltran and a healthy Johan. But, since that ain't gonna happen they just need to play hard and keep going out there every night. Or maybe Terry Collins just needs to get ejected every night. Whatever works.

-The most surprising thing about the playoffs so far? The fact that a banged-up Knicks team has been able to hang tough with the Boston Celtics for two games. Honestly, with Amar'e Stoudemire being hurt and Billups leaving Game 1 I didn't think they had much of a chance. That's not a knock against them but rather props to the Celtics who ARE the defending Eastern Champs. The Knicks gotta be proud and confident they can beat this team and Knicks fans should be feeling good as well. Even if they lose this series they go into next year with something that has been missing from the Knicks since Patrick Ewing left town, hope.

-The biggest surprise this season? Not the Indians. Its the Royals. Honestly, what are THEY doing with a winning record? I bet nobody can name me 8 Royals and I'll spot you Melky Cabrera, Joakim Soria and Billy Butler.

-The percentage of black ball players in MLB has declined from 9.1 to 8.5 percent. This is a huge downswing from the 19% in 1995. I don't really know what the reason is for this, probably because football and basketball are more appealing to African-American youth today. Maybe its the lack of a huge star to get the interest of the kids. I don't know and I don't know how baseball fixes that. Of course, the RBI Program is a great thing and should make an impact in a few years but how do you get people, of any race, creed, or gender interested in baseball if they don't like the sport?

-Kei Igawa went 4 innings tonight for the SWB Yankees allowing only two hits and striking out 3. I can't imagine what is going through his mind. He has to know that he is never going to be brought up to the Bronx again and with the whole earthquake mess in Japan I am sure his mind is going in a thousand different places. I admire him for coming back to the States to honor the remainder of his contract. Would anyone blame him for wanting out?

-Andy Sisco has not allowed a run down in Scranton in 7 innings. The big, 6'10" lefty might be just what the Yankees are looking for, a lefty specialist. He has allowed only 3 hits during that span and opponents are hitting just .125 off of him. Unfortunately, all of those hits have been to lefties. They are hitting .273 off of him. How about a righty specialist?

Well, that's all from me tonight. Enjoy whatever sports are still on. If not, enjoy the replay of the Mets, it was a good game.