PHILADELPHIA - Kevin Millwood will return to the Phillies for at least one more season - and possibly more.
Millwood accepted the offer of salary arbitration on Friday, assuring he'll be in Philadelphia's improved rotation in 2004.
"I wanted to play in Philly. It wasn't a tough decision," he said.
Millwood, who made $9.9-million in his first season with the Phillies, had been seeking a five-year contract worth about $15-million per season.
By accepting the offer, he is considered to be a signed player under baseball's rules. If the sides can't work out an agreement, his salary would be determined by an arbitration panel in February.
Not so fast, Bosox
NEW YORK - A day after the Red Sox proclaimed their trade for shortstop Alex Rodriguez was "dead," the agent for the AL MVP said Boston still was talking with Texas.
Scott Boras said he would remain in New York until at least today, trying to ascertain if the proposed swap of baseball's only $20-million-a-year players still had a chance.
"I don't really have an indication," Boras said. "I just know they're talking."
ANGELS: Rightfielder Jose Guillen agreed to a $6-million, two-year contract. Guillen, who turns 28 in May, will make $2.2-million the first year and $3.5-million the second with a $4-million club option for 2006 with a $300,000 buyout.
BRAVES: Free-agent reliever Antonio Alfonseca agreed to a one-year contract, but terms weren't given.
BREWERS: Infielder Wes Helms, 27, agreed to a $4.5-million, two-year deal. He gets a $225,000 signing bonus, $1.575-million next season and $2.7-million in 2005. Also, outfielder John Vander Wal declined the team's offer of salary arbitration and pitcher Matt Childers was outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis.
CUBS: Infielder Ramon Martinez and catcher Paul Bako agreed to one-year deals. Martinez will make $900,000, while Bako will earn $865,000. The Cubs also agreed to a $750,000, one-year deal with outfielder Jose Macias, acquired from the Expos.
DODGERS: Second baseman Alex Cora agreed to a $1.3-million, one-year contract.
EXPOS: The team won't offer contracts to right-handed pitchers Orlando Hernandez, Hector Almonte and Britt Reames, making them free agents Sunday.
GIANTS: Left-hander Scott Eyre agreed to a $2.45-million, two-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration. He gets a $50,000 signing bonus, $975,000 next season and $1.425-million in 2005. The team also agreed to a one-year contract with left-handed reliever Chad Zerbe.
INDIANS: Ex-Rays outfielder Adam Piatt was among five who agreed to minor-league deals.
MARLINS: Left-hander Michael Tejera, outfielder Brian Banks and catchers Mike Redmond and Ramon Castro agreed to one-year deals to avoid salary arbitration. Redmond will make $840,000 next season, Tejera will make $425,000, and Castro and Banks signed deals worth $400,000.
METS: The team agreed to deals with utilityman Joe McEwing ($1-million, two years) and outfielder Timo Perez ($850,000, one year).
REDS: Catcher Jason LaRue and infielder D'Angelo Jimenez agreed to one-year deals. LaRue gets $2.6-million and Jimenez $1.615-million.
TWINS: Second baseman Luis Rivas agreed to a $1.5-million, one-year contract.
WHITE SOX: Associated Press reported outfielder Carlos Lee agreed to a $15-million, two-year contract, and pitcher Kelly Wunsch agreed to an $800,000, one-year deal. Also, right-hander Jose Santiago agreed to a minor-league contract.
YANKEES: Karim Garcia was cut loose a day after he was charged with assault and battery for brawling in the bullpen during a playoff game in Boston.
New York also cut David Dellucci and agreed to a $900,000, one-year contract with Miguel Cairo, the former Rays infielder. In addition, left-hander Gabe White accepted the offer of salary arbitration, making him a signed player.
Left-hander David Wells rejected the arbitration offer and has until Jan. 8 to finalize a minor-league contract with the team.
The team's Triple-A Columbus farm team said Bucky Dent will return as manager but former Ohio State Heisman Trophy winner Hopalong Cassady will not return as a coach.
