Cleveland Indians

In free agency, the Indians made overtures to Jon Leiber, Matt Clement and David Wells, all pitchers with solid credentials. But they ended up signing Kevin Millwood, a right-hander whose Major League credentials were arguably as good as any free agent not named Pedro Martinez.

"He had a little bit of an (elbow) injury last year that we feel he's beyond that now," assistant GM Chris Antonetti said. "Had he not finished the year that way, we probably wouldn't have had a chance to sign him. He would have commanded a deal comparable to Carl Pavano's.

Nobody in Cleveland, however, is asking the 30-year-old Millwood to anchor the Indians staff. Wedge has stated time and again that his ace's name is C.C. Sabathia. So what the skipper wants from Millwood is someone who can take his turn every fifth game and produce a solid start.

On paper, Millwood looks capable of being that someone. But is he truly healthy?

"I feel great," he said. "I've been playing catch, and I've been doing everything normal to get ready. I haven't experienced any pain or discomfort, so I don't see it being much of a problem."

That's what the Indians are hoping for, too. A healthy Millwood gives the Indians perhaps the best rotation in the American League Central.

"He's won 18 games three times in his career," Antonetti said. "So if he's healthy, we feel like he can pitch to the front of the rotation and really solidify that staff."

As Wedge sees it, Millwood will settle in between Sabathia and right-hander Jake Westbrook, who emerged last season as the team's best pitcher. After Westbrook, left-hander Cliff Lee and right-hander Scott Elarton will fill out the rotation.

If that combination plays out after Spring Training, the Indians will open the season with a rotation that includes two left-handers, three right-handers and not one starter older than 30.

It'll be a rotation with experience; it'll be a rotation with youth; it's a rotation that will have spare parts hanging around just in case in Jason Davis, Brian Tallet and Jeremy Guthrie. And one of the youngest of the lot -- Sabathia -- might be the best of the bunch.

The big right-hander liked what he saw in the rotation Wedge has penciled in around him.

"I think we've got five guys now who can definitely go deep into the game," Sabathia said. "I'm just excited about the season."

Wedge shared Sabathia's excitement. He called starting pitching central to any better days that might be ahead for the Tribe in 2005.

"We feel very strong about that rotation," Wedge said. "All we ask these guys to do is just give us a chance to win a ballgame."