Could Andrew Miller be Plan B if the Yankees decide to trade their closer to DC?
While the Washington Nationals have already signed one reliever for their bullpen next season in Oliver Perez, they are still looking for more pitchers to solve their late inning problems. With the Orioles agreeing to sign Darren O’Day and the latest news involving Aroldis Chapman, could they look to the AL reliever of the year from this past season as a fall back option?
Last night, William Ladson of MLB.com reported that the Nationals have shown interest in the New York Yankees’ closer, Andrew Miller. This past season, in his first year as a full time closer, the 30-year-old left-hander was 3-2 with a 2.04 ERA in 60 games. He saved 36 games in 38 chances and had 100 strikeouts.
Miller is on the trade block, but Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman is not going to trade him for nothing. With New York not expected to do anything in free agency because of some big contracts on the books, New York is looking to get either controllable starting pitching or a second baseman.
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The Nationals could fit both of those needs. On Sunday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post threw out a scenario that could work out for both sides:
This is MY speculation but have wondered if #Nationals are spot for Andrew Miller. Have young SP like Lopez or Fedde plus Danny Espinosa
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 6, 2015
In my opinion, the Nationals would be okay with this kind of a deal because of the young pitching that is in their farm system. Lopez and Fedde are two pitchers with a lot of talent, but neither of them will be Major League ready in 2016. Plus, this deal would allow the Nats to keep Stephen Strasburg in the rotation and keep their top prospect, Lucas Giolito.
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As far as second base would go, the Yankees currently use a platoon of Dustin Ackley and Rob Refsnyder. Espinosa is under team control until 2018 and would bring power to the bottom of the Yankees’ lineup, especially in that ballpark. Plus, it would allow Espinosa to get more playing time, However, this trade would all depend on whether or not the Nats can sign free agent Ben Zobrist.
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Even though the Nationals were unable to land Chapman, Miller would not be a bad plan B. Even though I said last month, I would not trade Strasburg for Miller, who has a team friendly contract with three years and $27 million remaining on his deal. Of course, it depends on what happens with Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen. I don’t expect the Yankees to deal Miller, but this is a situation to keep an eye on.