Glavine plays ambassador

Met lefthander wooing ex-Braves mate Millwood

By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

 

 

 

Tom Glavine is sure ex-Brave Kevin Millwood can handle playing in New York. (Bernie Nunez/AP)

 

 

 

NEW YORK -- A free agent's ability to speak with prospective clubs doesn't begin until Monday but that hasn't prevented Tom Glavine from laying a little groundwork for the Mets where Kevin Millwood is concerned.

The two were teammates in Atlanta for six years and Glavine wasn't shy this season when it came to talking about reuniting with his close friend in 2004. So, it should come as no surprise that Glavine and Millwood talked earlier this week with the former making the first of what could be many sales pitches.

 

"I talked to him a couple of days ago and I inquired if there was any interest [in coming to New York] and he said absolutely," Glavine told MLB.com. "He is interested and is expecting someone to speak with him when the opportunity is there. I know he's interested. If there's anything I can do, answer questions, whatever, I will. But he is interested."

 

Millwood went 14-12 with a 4.01 ERA during his lone season in Philadelphia. But he was 2-4 over his final nine starts, including going 1-3 with a 5.94 ERA in September when the Phillies were fighting with the Marlins for the NL Wild Card spot.

 

Philadelphia general manager Ed Wade has already gone on record saying that he wants to bring back Millwood, who figures to have many suitors. New York is in need of another starter, preferably a front-end of the rotation guy like Millwood. But with Bartolo Colon and Andy Pettitte also on the market, it's a guessing game as to who will sign early and set the bar.

 

Having Glavine in New York certainly gives the Mets an edge when it comes to Millwood but it may not be enough. Millwood's asking price figures to be around $10 million a season or higher. Based on what New York principal owner Fred Wilpon and general manager Jim Duquette have said, the club doesn't appear likely to break the bank on a big-name free agent. Duquette left the door open on Thursday, though, to the possibility of a big-name free agent ending up in Queens.

 

"We're keeping flexibility," Duquette said, "whether it's in terms of a frontline guy or second and third-tier players. We have a lot of holes to fill." There is also the perception that Millwood isn't a "big city" kind of person, a theory in which Glavine isn't convinced.

 

"I think living in a big city and playing in a big city are two different things," Glavine said. "I don't think Kevin is going to be a New York resident or anything like that. Going and playing there are different than the prospects of moving.

 

"I know Kevin well enough to think that he gives off the persona of a big city guy. At the same time, his personality is such that he can deal with that stuff and not let it bother him. I don't see Kevin as a guy that's intimidated or that won't be able to fit in in that type of atmosphere. It's an adjustment. As much as I thought I was media schooled and friendly it was an adjustment for me. But I don't think it would be overwhelming for Kevin."

 

Glavine was universally accepted by most of the New York media and the fans this season despite having a subpar year. He had to fend off erroneous reports of discontent late in the season but feels the experience makes him the perfect person to paint the proper picture for Millwood.

 

"I was able to give him a sense of what New York is about," Glavine said. "I guess I can verify some of the stuff and at the same time, shoot down some other stuff. There are a lot of crazy perceptions about New York and what the media is about. It's an important piece of information to dispel that kind of stuff.

 

"As visiting players, they see it and read about it. But how much of it goes on on a daily basis? You can give a better sense of reality if you're there every day."

 

Glavine added that if the clubs identify players it has targeted other than Millwood he would be more than happy to go out and do a little recruiting. It certainly worked for him last fall when John Franco and Al Leiter pushed hard for him.

 

"I don't have a problem doing that," Glavine said. "There are a lot of positive things about New York. It's a great place to play. Sometimes guys need coaxing to come here. If that's what it takes and someone thinks I have something to offer, then I'll do it."

 

Kevin T. Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Getting Milwood still wont make them any better but a good step into making them better. They just need to layoff on all the rookies they had starting last year. With Floyd and Piazza back they should win a couple of more games.

The Mets would be getting on the right path if they could choose between Rebuilders or Buyers.

If the Metz sign Millwood, I guess they haven't learned their leson.

anyone the mets get just seems to do bad.

Nice try Tom. Kevvy's going back to Atlanta. You might be able to talk Maddux into it, though. Steve Phillips would approve.

As long as the Mets suck, I'm for it. :lol

anyone the mets get just seems to do bad.

As far as free agents....definitely. But they had what I think will be their best signing this season in former A's pitching coach, Rick Peterson. I'm sad that he's leaving.