ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Looking to fill one of their most pressing offseason needs, the St. Louis Cardinals were close to a contract agreement with left-handed reliever Trever Miller.

The deal was likely to be finalized Friday. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday that Miller came to the city for a physical and met with team doctors, but a deal had not been completed.

The 35-year-old Miller was 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA and two saves in 68 games last season for the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays, holding left-handed hitters to a .209 average in 91 at-bats.

The Rays declined a $2 million contract option earlier this month, electing to pay a $400,000 buyout.

Phone messages left with Cardinals officials were not returned.

Miller has made at least 60 appearances in each of the past six seasons. He broke into the majors with Detroit in 1996.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)