Mariners To Sign Kevin Millwood

The Mariners have agreed to sign Kevin Millwood, according to a report by Richard Walker of Millwood's hometown newspaper, the Gaston Gazette. Walker credits Millwood's sister for breaking the news on her Facebook page over the weekend. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirms the move and adds that it's a minor league deal (Twitter links). Millwood, who turned 37 recently, pitched 54 1/3 innings of 3.98 ERA ball for the Rockies in 2011, with a 6.0 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9 with a 42.2% groundball rate. He reportedly declined a $1MM contract offer from the Rockies prior to the Winter Meetings in hopes of securing a $3MM guarantee. Millwood signed a five-year, $60MM contract with the Rangers prior to the 2006 season, and has spent exactly 1,000 innings since that date calling a hitter-friendly ballpark his home (he also pitched at Camden Yards for the Orioles and Coors Field last season). A pitchers' haven like Safeco Field in Seattle will likely benefit the veteran right-hander...