Out with Mitre, in with Millwood

The Yanks were busy making moves last night, as the team dumped Sergio Mitre on Milwaukee in exchange for outfielder Chris Dickerson, and signed RHP Kevin Millwood to a minor-league deal.

Mitre’s numbers with the Yanks (’09-’10) were rather lackluster, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a Yankee fan who’s upset about his departure. He gave up 114 hits, 68 runs (59 earned), 17 homers, 29 walks and 61 strikeouts in 105 2/3 innings for an 89 ERA+ in his two years in pinstripes (mostly mop-up duty). Peace out Meattray, don’t let the door hit you in the ass.

Dickerson has 454 at-bats in three years with the Reds and Brewers. The 28-year-old, who owns a lifetime line of .267/.356/.403, has one option left and is expected to be insurance if (God forbid) Grandy’s oblique injury is more serious than previously thought.

The 36-year-old Millwood was signed to a pro-rated $1.5 million deal with $3.5 million in incentives. He gets $500,000 each for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 starts, and would get an additional $1 million for 30 starts. However, he has to be on the 25-man roster by May 1 or the deal is void.

Millwood, who threw a no-no for the Phils back in 2003, went 4-16 with a 5.10 ERA and 223 hits, 116 runs (108 earned), 30 homers, 65 walks, 132 strikeouts and a 1.510 WHIP in 190 2/3 innings for an 83 ERA+ in 31 starts last year for the Orioles. The 14-year veteran boasts a career 159-137 record with a 4.11 ERA in 2505 innings for the Braves, Phils, Indians, Rangers and O’s.

This is a low-risk signing and Kev is more or less insurance in case Colon and/or Garcia get hurt. It never hurts signing guys to minor-league deals. I’m all for the move.