One of the issues surrounding the Indians that gets overlooked time and time again on is not that the Indians could afford to pay Howry 4 million a year, it's that they can't do that every time they need a set-up guy, and once they do it for one Howry, every other guy going for that position will want at least the same.

The same salary slot that exists for the relievers also exists for the starting rotation. No way this team will ever afford more than 7.5 - 9 million for a top of line starter.

So even if the Indians pony up the money for Millwood, it basically means no chance of ever re-signing Lee, Westbrook, or CC because all three of these pitchers will want the same type of deal that Millwood signs.

This team is full of salary slot positions so that no player feels disrespected when it's their turn to negotiate, they can earn what the previous player earned at that position, but probably that is the max they will be able to get as well.

The moment the Indians overpay for a positional, starting rotation, reliever, or bench player, then every other agent will be all over that inflated signing and want at least the same deal for their guy.

The Indians respected Lee, CC, and Westbrook by NOT offering Millwood a contract that they would never be able to offer to any of those home grown pitching talents.