Displaced more often than he’d like by the ancient John Olerud, and with Roberto Petagine putting up big numbers in Pawtucket, Red Sox 1B Kevin Millar has his bags packed. From the Providence Jounal’s Sean McAdam :

Through his agents, Millar (above, left) has quietly (or so he thought) asked for a trade, unhappy about losing playing time to John Olerud and worried that his numbers need to improve for free agency this winter.

The Sox have taken the same approach to Millar’s request that they did to Jay Payton’s earlier in the season: they’ll move him if it helps the team. Thus far, they haven’t found that deal since interest in Millar is minimal.

But if Millar doesn’t begin producing — he has just 18 extra-base hits at the All-Star break — his playing time will dwindle further. At that point, it may be difficult for him to continue as the good soldier.

Still, how long can the Sox continue to have him be the (more-or-less) first baseman with Olerud wielding a hot bat, a smoother glove and Kevin Youkilis deserving of a shot?

Millar is in the lineup for Boston’s tilt with the Yankees tonight, the former leading 4-3 through 3 innings, courtesy of Trot Nixon’s 3 run homer in the first, his 10th of the season. Bronson Arroyo has already been touched up for solo shots in the 2nd by the revived Jason Giambi and Bernie Williams.