The Yankees still have yet to solve their starting pitching woes. They’ve acquired three veteran pitchers — Freddy Garcia, Mark Prior and Bartolo Colon — but none are the answer that can replace Andy Pettitte or the nonsigning of Cliff Lee.
The team continues to try to find the missing piece to fill a starting pitching void, and according to Sports Illustrated’s John Heyman, they’re still pursuing the best pitcher still on the market — starter Kevin Millwood.
Heyman tweeted the Yankees’ continued interest in 36-year-old, but cautioned there’s “still a ways to go.”
Buster Olney also recently tweeted that Millwood is looking for “$4-$5 million for 2011, which is significantly more than some teams willing to consider.”
Before the 2006 season, Millwood signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Rangers, one that he certainly did not live up to. In the five seasons, he had a 52-62 record with a 4.67 ERA.
In 2010, he also had the worst season of his career, posting a 4-16 record and a 5.10 ERA overall and finishing with an 0-1 record with a 5.54 ERA in two starts against the Red Sox.
Millwood wouldn’t be as good of an acquisition as Francisco Liriano, who might make sense for the Yankees if he’s made available, but Millwood should be enough to fill the Yankees’ need for a No. 5 pitcher.
