Outfielder Hollandsworth OKs Marlins Deal

The Associated Press

Jan 8 2003 9:01PM

 

MIAMI (AP) - Outfielder Todd Hollandsworth has agreed in principle to $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Florida Marlins.

The move made Kevin Millar expendable, and the outfielder agreed to a contract with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan.

 

Hollandsworth, 29, fills a void created when the Marlins did not tender a contract to outfielder Eric Owens, who then agreed to a $925,000, one-year deal with the Anaheim Angels.

 

The agreement reached Tuesday includes performance bonuses that would pay Hollandsworth $50,000 for each for 400, 450, 500 and 550 plate appearances.

 

His signing gives the Marlins some badly needed power from the left side. Hollandsworth hit .284 last season with 16 home runs and 67 RBIs in 134 games for Colorado and Texas.

 

Hollandsworth can play first base and all three outfield positions. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1996 for Los Angeles and is a .278 career hitter.

 

Millar, 31, hit .306 with 16 home runs and 57 RBIs for the Marlins last year. He also had a 25-game hitting streak.

Hollie will have a good year with the Marlins, especially if he starts and stays healthy. The guy has a lot of talent and is a real good hitter.

 

I wish him all the best. I've been a fan of Hollandsworth since he was rookie of the year with the Dodgers back in like 96 or 98.