http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1951927

yeah theo


By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN Insider

The Boston Red Sox have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former Houston Astros pitcher Wade Miller.

Miller, who was 7-7 with a 3.35 ERA in 15 starts before going on the disabled list June 29 with a season-ending rotator cuff injury, passed a physical exam Wednesday in Boston and agreed to a contract with a $1.5 million base salary and $3 million in incentives. Agent Bob Garber said the deal will be finalized on Thursday.

Los Angeles, Arizona, Oakland, Texas, Florida, Detroit, Kansas City and the New York Mets were among the other clubs that expressed an interest in Miller, who has a 58-39 record in five big-league seasons.

Miller, who made $3.4 million last season, became a free agent when the Astros decided not to offer him a contract by the Dec. 20 tender deadline.

"The Red Sox were right on it from the beginning," Garber said. "They flew him to town and made him feel welcome. That's what Theo Epstein does. He makes players feel wanted, and they want to come here."

Garber said that he expects Miller to be ready to pitch by Opening Day. If that's the case, Miller will join Curt Schilling and new free-agent signees David Wells and Matt Clement at the top of a revamped Boston rotation.

great signing for so cheap.

Good work, George.

Er.

Theo.

As an O's fan, I wish he could have come down to Camden. As someone who grew up in a house full of Sox fans (basically forcing me to be a Sox fan), I can't help but admit that it was a great pick-up.

Good to see the Astros getting dismantled

Schilling
Clement
Wells
Miller
Wakefield
Arroyo

I like this deal a lot, but I think we can assume Arroyo has one foot out the door, which is too bad. But if he's in a bundle for a good catcher, I can certainly live with it.

This is hardly a Steinbrenner-esque, throw a pile of money at someone and make them come to town type of move. The contract is hardly audacious. This doesn't sound like a Godfather type of move to me. And it's a great deal for the Sox. If he's healthy, he's a very solid pitcher. If it doesn't they haven't invested that much.

Heh, I know, but just the fact that they're in negotiations with basically every decent free agent is reminiscent of Cashman & Co. Not that they shouldn't be, it just seems that they're more ambitious than ever. Oh well. Like I said, I'm basically a Sox fan anyway.

i'm actually really excited about this. Aside from the fact that i seem to draft Miller every year on my fantasy team, I think he has some really good stuff. Just needs to stay healthy. But then again if I remember correctly I think I was excited about Steve Avery a few short years ago. Yeah I guess any sox action gets me excited.....

You think Wakefield will be the #5? I'm thinking he goes back to the pen' and Arroyo ends up with the job. Either way it will come down to whoever pitches better period.

wow, if this guy can stay healthy, this is a huge pick up for the sox

what's the prognosis with this guy?

is he supposed to be 100% by opening day?

Hell yeah. For both parties. If Miller is healthy and has a big year, he's making himself a lot of money for 06.

I'm not really sure. i read the Boston Herald story this morning regarding the signing and it didn't give a clear indication as to whether or not they expected Miller to make the opening day roster. Of course I also was reading the first edition at 3 AM, so it might have had that info in it and I was just too tired to notice.

strongly disagree



supposedly the doctors prescribed rest and he hasn't pitched since june....he'll be put on the same regimen pedro was on for his frayed rotator cuff. my guess is he'll be ready to start the season but spend some time on the DL during the year