Philadelphia.Phillies.MLB.com

By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

Kevin Millwood went 14-12 with a 4.01 ERA in 35 starts last year. (AP)

Millwood, already named by manager Larry Bowa as the Opening Day starter, can earn more with performance bonuses, such as making the All-Star team or winning the Cy Young Award. He earned $9.9 million in 2003, then requested $12.5 million. The Phillies countered at $10 million.

"I'm glad it's over," said Millwood. "I'm definitely ready to go and put all this stuff behind me. I'm excited to start playing ball again. We have a great team on paper."

The early, on-the-field indications are that Millwood is primed for a rebound from last season's 14-12 record and a 4.01 ERA over a team-leading 35 starts. Through his first six starts, Millwood went 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA. The last of those outings was a masterfully twirled, 1-0 no-hitter of the Giants, and he rode that wave to a 7-1 mark and 2.84 ERA by May 23.

Kevin Millwood   /   P
	Height: 6'4" Weight: 205 Bats/Throws: R/R More info: Player page Stats Splits Phillies site

Millwood, 29, went 7-11 the rest of the way with a 4.55 ERA then especially faltered with a 1-3 record and 5.94 ERA in September. In his final start of the season -- also the last game at Veterans Stadium -- he lasted four innings.

Booed lustily after being removed in the fifth, he tossed his glove and hat into stands. Later he said that this was a planned gesture of thanks, but the 60,000-plus fans regarded it as a sign of personal frustration and disgust.

That is the stuff that he's anxious to put behind him. He was in town Friday for the "Final Pieces" event, appearing slimmer and ready to go. The right-hander was one of the more popular Phillies during autograph and question-and-answer sessions.

This offseason taught Millwood about the business side of baseball. The Phillies offered a three-year deal in November but got virtually no response from agent Scott Boras, who insisted there were better offers.

A chat with Boras convinced general manager Ed Wade that a deal wasn't likely, and the Phillies traded for Eric Milton the next day. But the team offered Millwood arbitration, and he accepted.

"This is where I wanted to play," Millwood said. "It was just a matter of being able to. I hate to see what Greg [Maddux] is going through. Any time you have a guy that talented who's having this tough a time finding a job -- it's sad to see."

Wade was pleased to agree to terms with Millwood as well and left the door open to a possible long-term deal down the road.

"We are pleased that we were able to get the case settled," said Wade. "It's our hope that we can continue to have an open dialogue with Kevin regarding him being a Phillie for a long time."

Second baseman Placido Polanco is the lone arbitration-eligible player unsigned. If no agreement is reached, his case is scheduled for Feb. 17. Polanco earned $2.875 million last season.

Ken Mandel is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.