BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox today became the beneficiary of payroll paring by the Houston Astros, acquiring switch-hitting outfielder Carl Everett for a pair of minor leaguers.

Everett, 28, is eligible for arbitration and will likely get a substantial raise after batting .325 with 25 home runs and 108 RBI along with 27 stolen bases last season. He earned $2.4 million in 1999 and likely will at least double that in arbitration.

Instead of paying the price for Everett, the Astros sent him to the Red Sox for shortstop Adam Everett and lefthanded pitcher Greg Miller.

The Red Sox have long been seeking a run-producing center fielder. Last season, they failed in an attempt to land free agent Bernie Williams, who re-signed with the New York Yankees. Darren Lewis and Damon Buford played center field for the Red Sox in 1999, but both struggled offensively.

Carl Everett is a natural fit for the Red Sox and provides protection in the lineup for Nomar Garciaparra. With men in scoring position last year, Everett batted .348 (48-for-138) with six homers and 82 RBI.

"Carl Everett is one of the best clutch hitters in the National League," said Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette. "He has outstanding ability hitting in the middle of the order and is a solid middle of the diamond player as a center fielder."

Overall in 1999, Carl Everett set career highs in batting average, home runs, RBI, runs (86), hits (151), total bases (265), walks (50) and stolen bases.

With a close eye on the payroll, the Astros needed to deal either Everett or Moises Alou, who will enter the fourth year of a five-year, $25 million contract.

The Astros recently signed star second baseman Craig Biggio to a three-year contract extension worth more than $25 million and are hoping to reach a new deal with pitcher Mike Hampton, who is eligible for free agency after 2000.

Everett is also eligible for free agency after the 2000 season. He was acquired by Houston from the New York Mets in December 1997.

Adam Everett, 22, a first-round pick of the Red Sox in 1998, is regarded as an outstanding defensive prospect. However, with All-Star Nomar Garciaparra manning the position for the Red Sox, Adam Everett is better off playing with another organization.

Houston is a good spot for him since the Astros recently refused to offer arbitration to shortstop Ricky Gutierrez. Tim Bogar is expected to start at shortstop for the Astros in 2000.

Adam Everett batted .263 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI in 98 games at Double A Trenton last season.

Miller, 20, was 10-6 with a 3.10 ERA in 25 starts for Class A Augusta.

The trade is the first between the teams since the Astros acquired first baseman Jeff Bagwell from the Red Sox for pitcher Larry Andersen in August 1990.