Tampa Bay Rays' Trever Miller expected to sign with St. Louis Cardinals

Update 9 p.m. Trever Miller's deal with the Cardinals may still go through in the next few days, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday night that although Miller met with team doctors Thursday, the two parties are still working out "language" in a potential contract. And it's not expected to get finalized tonight.

Former Tampa Bay Rays reliever Trever Miller is expected to sign with the St. Louis Cardinals, pending a physical, his agent confirmed to the Times.

Barry Praver, Miller's agent, said several teams showed interest in Miller since the Tampa Bay Rays declined his $2-million option for 2009, making the veteran reliever a free agent. Miller is in St. Louis taking his physical today, and any official announcement wouldn't come until after that is completed. Praver declined to discuss terms of the potential deal, but it's reportedly a two-year contract.

Miller, 35, who spent his second stint with the Rays last season as a lefty specialist, had said he would would have loved to returned to the Rays -- and the club never ruled out bringing him back, depending on how the winter unfolded. Miller said he made a counteroffer to the Rays shortly after they declined his option, but they said it wasn't the right time.

Miller went 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA for the Rays this season, including two saves in 68 appearances. He has pitched in at least 60 games in each of the past six seasons.

With Miller's departure, the Rays have just one lefthander -- J.P. Howell -- in their bullpen; the Rays have maintained LHP David Price's future is as a starter.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

[dave]

I don't understand letting Miller go. $2 million is not out of line for a lefty specialist and Miller had a 1.78 era against left handed hitters. Where are the Rays going to get anyone for less?

[Danny]

I say good riddance.