Loretta to stay with Astros; Miller tests free agency

Loretta to stay with Astros; Miller tests free agency


By BRIAN McTAGGART
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle


Utility infielder Mark Loretta said today he is going to accept salary arbitration and return to the Astros next year, but lefthander Trever Miller has declined the arbitration offer and will test the free-agent market.

Loretta, 36, hit .287 with four homers and 41 RBIs in 133 games for the Astros last season, including 72 games at shortstop. He had initially wanted to find a starting job at second base, but that hasn't panned out.

Barring trades, the Astros' starting infield is set with Lance Berkman at first, Kaz Matsui at second base, Adam Everett at shortstop and Ty Wigginton at third base. Loretta and Geoff Blum will give the Astros depth on the bench.

"When we started out in free agency not many teams had openings (for starting second basemen)," Loretta said. "We did have some conversations with Colorado, but they decided to ultimately go in a different direction.

"I think it came down to other utility jobs. I know Houston, I know the guys and feel comfortable there. I went into the season last year in this type of role and ended up playing a majority of the time."

By accepting arbitration, Loretta is considered a signed player, and he and the Astros can either negotiate a new one-year contract or allow an arbitration panel to determine his 2008 salary. He made $2.5 million this year.

Miller, 34, posted a 4.8 ERA in 76 games last season and set a major league record by appearing in the most games in one year without recording a decision. Miller, who made $1.3 million this year, is in search of a two-year deal.

"We already have two-year deals on the table with other clubs, and given the current market and current situation a two-year deal is not too much to ask for in our opinion," Miller said. "There are a lot of guys that are comparable to me that are on three-year deals. We want to be in Houston, but don't want to hamstring ourselves. I worked hard to get to free agency, and I'd like to play this out and see how it goes."

Loretta and Miller faced an 11 p.m. deadline today to accept or reject the Astros' offer.

The Astros are free to negotiate another deal with Miller, but they would receive a compensatory draft selection between the first and second rounds of next year's draft if Miller signs with another team.

But Miller hasn't ruled out returning to the Astros for a third consecutive season.

"I pitched well for them and enjoy being there," he said. "I enjoy the team and the fans. We tried to get an extension as far back as spring training of last season. The timing was never right and we had some managerial changes, and one thing led to another and we're here now, turning down arbitration."

brian.mctaggart@chron.com