Kevin Millwood
Kevin Millwood
Matchup of ‘05 Free Agents: Thirty months ago, both of today’s starters were free agents looking for long-term deals. The M’s considered signing both of them, but ultimately chose Washburn. Speculation at the time was that Bill Bavasi balked at the five year contract Millwood wanted, and eventually ended up getting from Texas.

At the time, The Times’ Steve Kelley argued that the M’s should’ve signed Millwood. Art Thiel noted that the M’s could’ve had Freddy Garcia locked up for a lot less. USS Mariner said they didn’t like the Millwood contract, but given the choice, they’d have taken the Millwood contract over the Washburn one. Writing for Seattlest, I took my typical optimistic view, and argued that, overpaying or not, the move at least made the M’s better.

Today, Millwood and Washburn battle on the mound. But let’s compare them over the past two years and see if we can’t come to some conclusions.

Wins and Losses, 2006-08
Millwood: 28-28, .500 (Rangers overall record: 168-188, .472)
Washburn: 19-33, .365 (M’s overall record: 179-177, .503)

ERA, 2006-08
Millwood: 4.71
Washburn: 4.52

WHIP:
Millwood: 1.46
Washburn: 1.37

Quality Starts, 2006-2008:
Millwood: 40
Washburn: 35

It’s a little mixed, isn’t it? By W/L, Millwood is far superior, but Washburn’s had the better stats. The Rangers’ defense might have something to do with that, but so might Washburn’s atrocious run support, 4th-lowest in the AL since signing with the M’s.

I’d say Washburn’s been the better signing–the Rangers were expecting (and needed) an ace, and Millwood certainly hasn’t lived up to that. Meanwhile, Washburn’s done about what the M’s hoped–he’s given them a reliable middle-of-the-rotation starter. Is he overpaid?

What Millwood Throws: Primarily fastballs–but he throws a variety of those–sinkers, cutters and a four-seamer. His m.o. is to get you to hit a pitch you didn’t get a good swing at.

What the M’s Can Do: The typical game plan against the Rangers should work–Make the starter throw lots of pitches so you can get into their bullpen, then wait for the Rangers to make one of their patented critical errors. Worked on opening day against Millwood, should work now.