http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...s.50a2999.html

Millwood will meet with Rangers
The AL ERA leader has reportedly been offered four-year deals worth at least $45 million

12:39 AM CST on Tuesday, December 20, 2005
By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News

For the Rangers, half the battle in landing a top free agent pitcher has been getting one to actually speak seriously with them.

Well, they've won at least half the battle.

Kevin Millwood, the American League's ERA leader in 2005 and perhaps the best starter on the market this winter, will visit with Rangers officials today, two sources familiar with the negotiation process confirmed. One source said the Rangers have become serious contenders for Millwood.

Millwood, who turns 31 on Saturday, is the first free agent pitcher to agree to visit Texas this winter. The Rangers invited Matt Morris, but he did elected not to visit any teams before signing with San Francisco.

Millwood's agent, Scott Boras, did not return phone calls Monday night. Rangers owner Tom Hicks declined comment and general manager Jon Daniels did not return messages.

The question that Boras, Hicks and Daniels may have to answer today is whether the Rangers are willing to hand out another five-year contract to a pitcher. Millwood reportedly already has four-year offers in the $45 million to $50 million range from Seattle and an unnamed East Coast team believed to be Baltimore, Boston or Washington. Millwood does not have a five-year offer.
I could easily see the Rangers going overboard for Millwood because they're desperate...even though they've said no more 5 year deals after the whole Chan Ho Park debacle.