FORT MYERS, Fla., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- After thinking about spending 2003 in the Far East, Kevin Millar will be joining one of the favorites in the American League East.
Millar agreed to a two-year contract with the Boston Red Sox Thursday, a deal that includes a club-vesting option for the 2005 season. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Millar earned $900,000 with the Florida Marlins in 2002.
Earlier this offseason, the Marlins worked out a deal to sell Millar to the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League and the Florida outfielder agreed to a two-year contract. But when Florida put Miller on waivers, the Red Sox claimed him.
Miller then decided he wanted to remain in the United States and Florida had to work out a deal with the Japanese team. After protracted negotiations, the deal got done last week and the Marlins sold Millar to the Red Sox on Saturday.
The 31-year-old Millar hit .306 with 16 homers and 57 RBI in 126 games for Florida in 2002. But he batted .378 over his final 50 games -- a stretch that included a 25-game hitting streak. After Aug. 10, he posted a .430 on-base and .609 slugging percentages.
Millar hit .314 with 20 homers and 85 RBI in 144 games for Florida in 2001. Over his five-year career, spent entirely with Florida, Millar is a career .296 hitter with 59 homers and 251 RBI in 500 games.
