The Red Sox confirm the signing Matt Clement and give starter Wade Miller a one-year deal after he is non-tendered by the Astros.

03:18 AM EST on Thursday, December 23, 2004

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Even as the Red Sox were officially confirming the signing of free-agent right-hander Matt Clement, they were, in a separate transaction, bolstering their starting rotation further.

AP file photo

If he stays healthy, Wade Miller, pitching for the Astros against the Pirates in 2002, would give Boston a legitimate No. 2 starter next season.

Pouncing on an opportunity they hadn't expected, the Sox signed Wade Miller to a one-year deal just two days after he had been non-tendered by the Houston Astros.

Miller flew into Boston yesterday and underwent a physical, then agreed to a deal that will officially be announced today. If healthy -- he didn't pitch after July last year because of shoulder concerns -- Miller would give the Red Sox a legitimate No. 2 starter. Prior to his injury-shortened 2004 season, Miller had averaged 15 wins from 2001-03.

When healthy, Miller throws his fastball between 90 and 95 mph, and has a well-above-average curveball. After being put on a rest-and-therapy program last summer, the strength in his rotator cuff was more than satisfactory, though he won't begin throwing until next month.

Miller was pursued by approximately a dozen teams after Houston's non-tender. The Sox had had trade discussions with Houston concerning Miller as recently as last week, but were unable to come to an agreement. The Astros were reluctant to go to salary arbitration with Miller, who could have been awarded as much as $4 million for 2005.

Instead, Miller agreed to a base salary of $1.5 million, with another $1.5 million in active roster bonuses and still another $1.5 million in bonuses tied to innings pitched.

If Miller remains on the active roster all season and pitches 195 innings, he could make $4.5 million.

His signing gives the Red Sox some depth in the rotation and could force either Tim Wakefield or Bronson Arroyo into a relief role.

Miller is the third starting pitcher obtained by the Red Sox in the last two weeks, following free agents David Wells and Clement.

Clement called former Cubs teammate Bill Mueller to get an idea about playing in Boston.

"I feel like I can fit into any team and adapt well," said Clement. "But I wanted to know about living in Boston, as far as my family goes. Bill had nothing but unbelievable things to say about his teammates, the organization and the whole area. I trust what Bill had to say.

"I tried to play the whole free-agent thing out as fairly as possible. The No. 1 deciding factor for me was team. You want to be on a team that can win and contend for the postseason every year. (Boston) has fun and loves what it's doing. Coming from the Cubs, and (seeing) the scrutiny and the supposed curse and being able to overcome all that, that's something I want to be part of."

Clement will be making the transition to the American League for the first time after stays in San Diego and Florida before joining the Cubs. Jeff Suppan and Javier Vazquez are two pitchers in the last two years who have struggled after coming to the A.L., where the lineups are deeper and more fearsome.

"I'm up for the challenge," Clement said. "It's a thing where a lot has been made (about it). I never really put much stock into it. I love to pitch and I've always pitched pretty good in interleague play. For me, it's going to be an adjustment period, probably. But I'm definitely up to the challenge and I'm not expecting it to be a big deal."