Former Rays reliever Dan Wheeler signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Red Sox on Saturday that includes a vested option for a $3 million contract in 2012 if he appears in 65 games this summer.
"It goes without saying, I absolutely enjoyed my time in Tampa Bay," he said. "I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, but part of the game is you move on, and I'm definitely excited about the opportunity that I have."
The 33-year-old Warwick, R.I., native said he considered offers from several teams, included the Rays but felt the Red Sox were the best fit.
"I really like the direction we're going in, the Red Sox are going in," he said. "I think you get to a point in your career where winning is the most important thing, and I think that's where I'm at. I feel like we have a chance to compete to win every single day and that's an important thing."
Wheeler also said the opportunity to play for his childhood team was a plus when deciding on where the play this season.
"I'm very happy with the places I played," Wheeler said. "Obviously, the first goal was to make it to the big leagues. But I think there's some part of me that always though it would be kind of neat to wear a Red Sox uniform. Growing up, you can ask any one of my family members, I was always like, 'I want to play for the Red Sox.' I think as time goes on I realized if I can play in the big leagues I'd be happy. This opportunity came up and I think it will be a pretty awesome experience. I'm looking for to it."
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