Kevin Millar to the Orioles
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:04 pm
Orioles near deal with Boston's Millar
DAVID GINSBURG
Associated Press
BALTIMORE - Free agent first baseman Kevin Millar has reached a tentative agreement on a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
Millar and the Orioles on Thursday neared finalization of the deal, according to a team official who requested anonymity because the former Boston Red Sox star has not yet taken a physical. The exam, which was expected to take place Thursday, was the only remaining step in the process.
The Orioles thought they had secured outfielder Jeromy Burnitz last month, but he put off taking a physical in Baltimore and ended up signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in early January.
Millar, however, is expected to make the move from one AL East team to another.
"It's certainly a piece that helps us along the way," first-year manager Sam Perlozzo said. "We're starting to fill some holes."
Millar hit .276 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs with Boston in 2003, then batted .297 with 18 homers and 74 RBIs for the world champions in 2004.
His production tailed off last year, when he hit .272 with nine homers and 50 RBIs.
The Orioles don't see Millar as a full-time player, but expect to use him often, and at a variety of positions.
"I see him playing a lot of first base, designated hitter and in the outfield," Perlozzo said. "We get a guy with playoff experience, someone who was part of a World Series team. We can use that kind of player in our clubhouse. It gives us a little chemistry."
Millar, 34, is a career .289 batter over 932 games and exactly 3,000 at-bats. He has hit 111 homers and driven in 471 runs.
He has been used mostly at first base and in the outfield, but has also been used at third base and as a DH.
DAVID GINSBURG
Associated Press
BALTIMORE - Free agent first baseman Kevin Millar has reached a tentative agreement on a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
Millar and the Orioles on Thursday neared finalization of the deal, according to a team official who requested anonymity because the former Boston Red Sox star has not yet taken a physical. The exam, which was expected to take place Thursday, was the only remaining step in the process.
The Orioles thought they had secured outfielder Jeromy Burnitz last month, but he put off taking a physical in Baltimore and ended up signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates in early January.
Millar, however, is expected to make the move from one AL East team to another.
"It's certainly a piece that helps us along the way," first-year manager Sam Perlozzo said. "We're starting to fill some holes."
Millar hit .276 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs with Boston in 2003, then batted .297 with 18 homers and 74 RBIs for the world champions in 2004.
His production tailed off last year, when he hit .272 with nine homers and 50 RBIs.
The Orioles don't see Millar as a full-time player, but expect to use him often, and at a variety of positions.
"I see him playing a lot of first base, designated hitter and in the outfield," Perlozzo said. "We get a guy with playoff experience, someone who was part of a World Series team. We can use that kind of player in our clubhouse. It gives us a little chemistry."
Millar, 34, is a career .289 batter over 932 games and exactly 3,000 at-bats. He has hit 111 homers and driven in 471 runs.
He has been used mostly at first base and in the outfield, but has also been used at third base and as a DH.
