The Yankees and LHP Andrew Miller have agreed to a four year deal. The deal, worth $36 million dollars is the largest contract ever signed by a non-closing reliever in baseball history.
Miller, 29, had a solid season out of the bullpen in 2014, splitting time between the Red Sox and Orioles going 5-5 with a 2.02 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 1.51 FIP and 14.9 K/9 over a span of 62.1 innings.
This move will solidify the back end of the Yankees bullpen, and will provide a solid 1-2 punch with Dellin Betances late in games. The Yankees could also still re-sign closer David Robertson, who still remains a free agent.
It was reported earlier that Miller had multiple three year offers, but wanted that guaranteed fourth year. Earlier today, Joel Sherman tweeted that the Yankees would give Miller the fourth year if it limits the average annual value of the contract.
Thoughts:
Yes, I like Andrew Miller. Yes, I think he would have been a great fit in the Mets bullpen, especially as a lefty. No I’m not upset the Mets didn’t sign him to a crazy contract like that. With our crop of young arms, it just wouldn’t make sense to invest that much money in a relief pitcher. Good move for the Yankees, who have been busy today, trading for Didi Gregorius earlier and now inking Miller, but I’m not devastated the Mets didn’t sign Miller, which many people were speculating they wouldn’t anyhow.
