NEWSLETTER
In a rumor that would have made sense four weeks ago, the Chicago Cubs are showing interest in floating free agent pitcher Kevin Millwood, according to Jon Heyman.
Millwood, 36, has not pitched in the bigs this year after posting a 5.10 ERA and 1.510 WHIP last year for the Orioles in 31 starts. He was signed to a minor league deal by the Yankees earlier this year, but never showed enough to make it up to the big club. Vague reports suggested his velocity and stuff were simply not there, and he made just three minor league starts (the final of which lasted just two innings). Millwood had the option to opt out of his minor league deal in early May if he hadn’t been called up, which was an option he exercised on May 1.
No details on the level of the Cubs’ interest or the level of Millwood’s readiness to contribute, but I’d hazard a guess that both are low. With Doug Davis filling in for now, and Randy Wells nearing a return, the Cubs aren’t quite as desperate for a starter as they were a few weeks ago. At most, he’d be looked at as depth should disaster strike the rotation again. The Cubs are probably hoping to avoid another pantsing named James Russell.
UPDATE: According to Tim Brown, Millwood has signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox. Fine with me.
