The New York Yankees are reportedly planning on keeping left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Miller as the Aug. 1 trade deadline approaches, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
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Yankees May Trade Aroldis Chapman Instead of Miller
Saturday, July 23
While the Bronx Bombers could trade both southpaws from the back end of their bullpen, Rosenthal noted they are “telling clubs that they are close to trading [Aroldis] Chapman” while also reporting the Miller news.
Miller has been the subject of trade rumors for much of July, and two of the top National League contenders have been on the list of pursuers.
Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported on July 7 the Chicago Cubs had the reliever as one of their primary targets, although Julie DiCaro of 670 The Score indicated the National League Central leaders weren’t interested in parting ways with slugger Kyle Schwarber in a potential deal.
It makes sense the Cubs are intrigued by Miller since they ranked a middling 15th in the league in bullpen ERA entering play Saturday, per ESPN.com. While Chicago already added lefty Mike Montgomery to its bullpen via trade, he allowed a three-run homer in his team debut on Saturday during a 6-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Elsewhere, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reported on July 14 the Washington Nationals were interested in Miller. The bullpen is actually one of Washington’s strengths (tops in baseball in bullpen ERA), but Miller would give it another formidable option late in games.
Despite the rumors, the Yankees are apparently planning on keeping Miller in their bullpen. He has been in the league since 2006 and pitched for the Detroit Tigers, then-Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles before joining New York for the 2015 campaign.
He appeared to have turned the corner in pinstripes and is well on his way to posting an ERA of sub-2.00 for the first time in his career in 2016:
As if the resurgence in the Bronx for Miller wasn’t enough, he will not be an unrestricted free agent until 2019, per Spotrac. That means New York could still make a postseason run in the next couple of years with Miller as a bullpen anchor even if it isn’t in prime position to compete in 2016 from fourth place in the American League East.
However, that extended team control could also give New York more leverage in a possible trade, and Miller is 31 years old. He may only have a limited window of his prime remaining, and the Yankees could theoretically receive a favorable package in any deal were they to make the move during that opening.
Alas, it seems as if New York is more interested in keeping Miller around as a critical piece of its bullpen for 2016 and beyond.
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