Miller not expected to receive contract

When Wade Miller was not tendered a contract last December by the Houston Astros, the Red Sox pounced, believing the sore-shouldered righthander was a calculated gamble worth taking.

Today, it is expected to be Boston's turn not to tender Miller a contract, a tacit acknowledgment that the risk did not pay off the way the Sox had hoped. Sox co-general manager Jed Hoyer would not confirm yesterday that the club intends to cut its ties with Miller today, the deadline for teams to tender contracts to players under their control. But Miller, who went 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA before undergoing surgery on his right labrum in late September, almost certainly will not be tendered and thus become a free agent.

The Sox signed Miller to a one-year deal for $1.5 million last December, with incentives that would have allowed Miller to be paid as much as $4.5 million. But Miller began the season on the disabled list, then after being activated in May lasted just three months, making 16 starts, before being shut down Aug. 9. He made two rehab starts for Double A Portland in the Eastern League playoffs in September, but then opted for surgery.

The Sox could offer Miller, still only 29, a minor league contract to return next spring, but it is more likely another club, not obligated to offer Miller arbitration as the Sox would be, will sign him to a big league contract.

The Sox have scheduled a conference call this afternoon to discuss their roster moves.

Damon clock ticking

Last night was the deadline for free agents to decide whether to accept arbitration. Johnny Damon rejected arbitration, meaning the Sox face a Jan. 8 deadline to sign the free agent center fielder or lose their rights to negotiate with him until May 1. The Sox remain the only club known to have made Damon an offer, a four-year, $40 million package CEO Larry Lucchino and Hoyer presented to agent Scott Boras during the winter meetings in Dallas two weeks ago.

With the Dodgers reportedly on the verge of signing free agent Kenny Lofton, the Yankees appear to be the best remaining fit for Damon, who last week received a phone call from New York manager Joe Torre. The Orioles are also on record as having interest.

''There are a number of teams involved," Boras said late Sunday night. ''I spoke with the Red Sox last week. Talks continue. Johnny has visited with teams, has had conversations with a number of them."

The Sox continue to speak with the Seattle Mariners about a possible deal for center fielder Jeremy Reed; the Mariners, who signed free agent lefthander Jarrod Washburn yesterday, are known to have interest in Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo.

Meanwhile, infielder Tony Graffanino, the other Sox free agent offered arbitration, officially accepted it, which makes him a signed player for Boston in 2006.

Graffanino, who was paid $1.1 million in the last year of a two-year, $2.2 million deal, batted .319 in 51 games for the Sox, and .309 overall in a season he divided between Boston and Kansas City.

He appeared to lose his position when the Sox acquired second baseman Mark Loretta from San Diego in a trade for catcher Doug Mirabelli, but he could become a utilityman, playing all four infield positions, if the Sox do not trade or cut him during spring training.

Seanez is close

The Sox were working on final details of a contract for righthanded reliever Rudy Seanez, who will join the setup mix after putting up impressive numbers last season for the Padres (7-1, 2.69 ERA, 84 Ks and 22 BBs in 60 1/3 innings).

''We're hoping by the middle of the week we'll have it done. We're working very diligently," said agent Alan Nero of CSMG Sports.

Nero said three teams (Red Sox, Dodgers, and Braves) made solid offers. ''The offers were similar," he said.

''Rudy had a very short stint with the Sox. He feels he's got a little bit to prove."

Seanez, 38, appeared in nine games for the Sox in 2003 but was ineffective.

Exploring options

The Sox continue to explore shortstop options. A trade involving Manny Ramírez for Baltimore's Miguel Tejada remains a longshot, and the Sox would face strong competition from the Cubs and Angels, among others. The Sox remain in contact with the agent for Alex Gonzalez, Eric Goldschmidt, who says Boston is one of three teams that have shown interest in the former Marlin. Goldschmidt said he hopes to know something by the end of the week, but acknowledged he had not spoken with the Sox since last week. A trade for Tampa Bay's Julio Lugo remains an outside possibility. The Devil Rays almost certainly would ask for top infield prospect Andy Marte; they nearly had a deal with Atlanta for Lugo until the Braves opted to acquire Edgar Renteria instead . . . Efforts to trade lefthander David Wells also remained on hold; the Padres remain the most likely landing spot.

Generous bidders

Lunch with GM-in-exile Theo Epstein proved to be a popular item in an auction raising money for The Home for Little Wanderers. The winning bid came in at $16,100, and the second bid followed at $16,000. Both winners asked to remain anonymous. ''We are absolutely overwhelmed with the generosity of both the winning bidders and by Theo and Paul Epstein," said Joan Wallace-Benjamin, president and CEO of The Home for Little Wanderers. ''We know Bostonians love Theo and what he's been able to help the Red Sox accomplish, but we had no idea his support of The Home would garner such generosity of spirit. What a great gift for our kids." The Home for Little Wanderers is a private, nonprofit agency providing services to thousands of children and families through 20 programs.