Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the market for Atlanta Braves right-hander Shelby Miller is reaching a fevered pitch and as many as 20 teams have checked in on him.
Miller, 25, had an excellent season for the Braves despite his 6-17 record, posting a 3.02 ERA, 1.247 WHIP and 3.45 FIP in 205.1 innings with 171 strikeouts. He had a 3.6 WAR, topping the 3.4 WAR he produced in his breakout rookie season in 2013.
An All Star in his first season with the Braves, Miller was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals along with prospect Tyrell Jenkins in the Jason Heyward trade. He has three years of team control remaining before becoming a free agent in 2019.
The Braves are looking for a huge haul according to Heyman, and reportedly asked the Yankees for top young right-hander Luis Severino in their talks, while demanding center fielder Marcell Ozuna plus more from the Marlins.
Other names that have been tossed around include the Dodgers’ Joc Pederson, and the Giants’ Matt Duffy and Joe Panik.
The Braves are hoping that Miller will be attractive to teams who can’t afford high-priced free agents Zack Greinke, Johnny Cueto and David Price, or as a great fallback option for teams that have the dollars but fail to sign one of them.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, RHP Jordan Zimmermann was the first major free agent domino to fall, inking a $110 million, five-year deal with the Detroit Tigers. Two days later, Cueto rejected a six-year, $120 million offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
When you consider Miller will likely earn roughly $4.5 million in 2016, and about $25 million via arbitration over the next three seasons, you can understand the huge interest.
It appears the Braves are going to be extremely busy at next week’s Winter Meetings in Nashville according to reports. Everyone but Freddie Freeman is seemingly available, although two weeks ago even Freeman was reportedly available until the Braves denied it following tremendous fan backlash.
Honestly, for the life of me I can’t figure out what the Braves are doing right now. Yes, they have their new ballpark opening in 2017, but it’s tough to see what their plan or strategy is this offseason. Seems like they’re just flying by the seat of their pants.
Suffice it to say, I don’t think the Mets will have to worry too much about the Atlanta Braves in 2016.
