February 10, 200422 yr Tuesday, February 10, 2004 Associated Press PHILADELPHIA -- Kevin Millwood agreed Tuesday to an $11 million, one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, avoiding arbitration. Millwood, who made $9.9 million in his first season with the Phillies, had been seeking $12.5 million, while the team had been offering $10 million. "We are pleased that we were able to get the case settled," Phillies general manager Ed Wade said. "It's our hope that we can continue to have an open dialogue with Kevin regarding him being a Phillie for a long time." In November, the Phillies offered the right-hander a three-year deal believed to be worth $30 million with an option for a fourth year. Millwood's agent, Scott Boras, rejected the offer, which the Phillies withdrew when they acquired former All-Star Eric Milton from Minnesota in December. Millwood went 14-12 with a 4.01 ERA for the Phillies last year, and pitched a no-hitter against San Francisco on April 27. He had a poor finish, going 0-3 with two no-decisions in his last five starts, including two disappointing outings against eventual World Series champion Florida. At the time, the Phillies and Marlins were battling for the wild-card berth. In his last start, Millwood left the field at Veterans Stadium in a strange moment, throwing his glove and hat into the stands as many fans booed. He said he had planned to do that all along, hoping to give fans a souvenir in the final game at the Vet. Millwood will anchor a rotation that could be one of the best in baseball. Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla, Milton and Millwood each have been All-Stars, and Brett Myers could even be better. The Phillies enter spring training with high expectations after re-signing Millwood, acquiring Milton and getting All-Star closer Billy Wagner in a trade. Millwood was acquired from Atlanta for catcher Johnny Estrada a year ago in a cost-cutting move by the Braves. The Phillies had hoped to immediately sign Millwood to a contract extension, but talks broke off early last season. Millwood, 29, is 89-58 with a 3.78 ERA. He won 17 games in his first full season in 1998 and twice has won 18 games. The Phillies won 86 games last season, but finished 15 games behind Atlanta and five behind Florida. They had a half-game lead over the Marlins with eight games left, but were eliminated after losing the next six games. Second baseman Placido Polanco is the team's only arbitration-eligible player. His case is scheduled to be heard Feb. 17.
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