The Cubs are bringing veteran Kevin Millar to spring training on a minor-league deal with no guaranteed money, team sources said Monday.
The 38-year-old Millar, one of the self-proclaimed "idiots" who kept things loose in the Boston clubhouse during their 2004 championship season, will compete for a job as a back-up first baseman and pinch-hitter. He hit .223 in 78 games with Toronto last year.
ESPN.com reported the imminent signing Monday, after receiving word from Millar.
In an e-mail to ESPN.com, Millar said: "I'm excited to have a chance to compete for a spot with the Cubbies. I have a lot of buddies on that team."
Photo: Kevin Millar was a self-proclaimed "idiot" with the Red Sox in 2004. (Don Wright/AP)
One of those buddies is pitcher Ryan Dempster, whom Millar punked in spring training of 2008, after Dempster predicted the Cubs would win the World Series. Millar, then with Baltimore, told reporters he "guaranteed" the Orioles would win the World Series because "everybody else is."
As it turned out, of course, neither one won the World Series
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Gorman = You'd be right if they signed Millar to a multi-year deal and said he will bat cleanup. Instead they signed him to a minor league deal meaning he probably will not make the team. The only way he could make the team is if someone gets hurt or if Hoffpauir has an awful spring training. And considering your 2, 3, and 4 starters are Wolf, Suppan, and Davis, I don't think you have to worry about contending with the Cardinals either.
Walter = Where would Johnny Damon play exactly? Like it or not, Soriano is going to be the left fielder in 2010. Fukudome/Nady seem to have right field in check. And the Cubs didn't sign Byrd to a 3 year 15 mil deal to be a backup, plus Damon no longer has the range to play center, which is why the Yankees moved him to left.
I'm a Brewers fan and signings like this come as great news and further assurance that my team only has the Cardinals to contend with this season. Thanks for being you Jim Hendry.
Great! The Cubs invite a real 'idiot' in Millar to be another right-handed bat with no speed and little power. What about making a real move and sign a leadoff hitter in Johnny Damon?
THey got Sam Fuld to lighten up the team.. Why another cheap no talent player.. I know why? The cubs are going cheap because of bad contracts for Sorry and Fuku. They need pitching (and let Hraden go) and keep trying to sign 3rd stringeers. NO matter who they get to lighten the club house LOU will surely kill that with his Choice of starting players like last year...
Too bad the venerable Wieboldts department store isn't around any more. After Millar, the Cubs could continue their after-Christmas shopping spree.
Paulie, something to write about, finally. Trust me fellow cub fans we want this guy on the bench- hes a great personality, hes funny and hes probably the complete opposite of a Milton, but he may be able to hit a lil' better than Bradley did in a cubs uniform
Well said Steve. I posted something similar on Saturday. Have a point and act like a grown up. As for the signing, there is really no downside. Think about subtracting a clubhouse drag like Milton Bradley, and adding a personality like Kevin Millar. If he can contribute, its all good. Certainly should be better then what the Cubs got from Aron Miles last year. Miles has already been traded from the A's to the Reds. Think he wants to come back and haunt the Cubs? Spooooooky.
This is a good move. Milar could be the 2010 Eric Karros, a vertern guy to keep things light in the clubhouse maybe come up in the 8th and get a hit... or he could not make it out of spring training in which case no harm no foul.
Hey everyone,
"Suck on them apples" confirms what I thought. Steve must be a closet Sox fan. He is probably on his way right now to vote for Mr. Stroger so he can keep his job picking up garbage in the forest preserve.
This is a great pick up...The Cubs needed another over the hill, right handed, slow guy...
Yep I don't pride myself on my ability to spell or have correct grammar. I pride myself on my sports knowledge, and that pretty much it. So yes I forgot to place a period and misused a word, I am sorry. However my statements about the Chicago Cubs are correct, so suck on them apples.
Hey Steve,
You typed "better shot then Millar ". Morons use then instead of than. Moron!
Rod Munch
Steve, perhaps you could stop calling everyone morons and just make your point. It is hardly moronic to think either or both could help this team. We need veteran leadership and good bats off the bench. Look at the bench from the last several seasons...terrible. Both of these guys have hit in their careers. Sure they are non-roster invites, but they have a better than fair chance of making the roster (at least one of them) because they are proven and have been on winners. No one is saying they are the second coming, and no I don't think this means D-Lee is gone, but I do think either or BOTH (one hits left, the other right) would make a good bench. Speaking of ill-written, why don't you end your sentence with a period before you start attacking others' writing. The only moron is you. They say when you don't have anything to say, you attack people. Well clearly you had nothing and I mean nothing to say! Get a life with your stupid ad-hominem attacks (it's a real word, you can look it up).
Why???
Once again you are all morons complete morons, this is a minor league spring training invite. In no means is this a sign D.Lee is being traded, it means he will be used in spring training then possibly invited to Iowa, many see Millar as a manager one day. This could be a player/manager in Iowa, having him there with Sandberg would be a very fun club house.
Bob Locker,
Are you mental? You maybe the dumbest sports fan I have ever met, Millar was a RED SOX during the 2003 season. He doesn't play with great force either, he is an average power hitter on the decline and has NEVER played a position well enough to hold it for multiple season. Bob Locker stop posting comments before you really embarrass yourself.
And Hawk, you are about moronic are Bob. Seriously, both are minor league invites, they both may and probably won't make the team. Tracy has a better shot then Millar does due to his ability to play both corners and hit left hander, but still your comment is ill-written and incorrect
I agree Bob...this and the Tracy deal remind me of the 1984 team that singed aged vets Richie Hebner and Jay Johnstone. These guys will provide veteran leadership off the bench. It has been a long time since the Cubs had solid veteran bats off the bench. I like this and hope both have great springs and make the team...
Is everybody ready for the D. Lee trade that may be forthcoming? Are you ready for the Millar/Nady platoon at first base?
I guess that would depend on who the Cubs would receive in return for Lee. I'm not saying I'm for it, but the Cubs do not have many tradeable guys who would bring something decent in return.
What a waste of space. This guy should retire and play golf. Its Cubs not Cubbies, and just for that I hope you don't make the team.
Matt,
That is very true, it just gets old going to read an article on this site. Then going down to read how people feel about the issue and seeing people who don't know anything about sports saying idiotic remarks and comments. I am glad someone shares my intelligence level though.
Steve...I don't think the posters are morons...just don't know how to read and understand. Reading comprehension has always been an issue in the state.
Seriously morons again, this is a minor league invite. He isn't even on the roster!
Sure...let's give a .228, 38-year old hitter the edge over a much younger Hoffpaufer...
All the pieces are in place.