The Mets have been linked to Andrew Miller as some early rumors in the bullpen market are starting to ooze out. Andrew Miller is part of the upper tier / upper-mid tier of relievers this year, so it’s relieving to hear the Mets are even doing their due diligence on Miller.
Miller hasn’t played in the National League since the 2010 season. Originally drafted by the Devil Rays (yes the Devil Rays, not the Rays) in 2003, he declined to attend college and signed with the Tigers a few years later in 2006. A top prospect, drafted 6th overall, he was part of the mega trade in 207 that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit. Out of the 6 total players to the Marlins, only he and Maybin went on to become major league regulars. He played with the Marlins from 2008 until 2010 when he was traded to the Red Sox.
As a member of the Marlins he had a 5.89 ERA over 220.0 innings, mostly as a starter. If you only played against players who spend most of their time against the Mets, he seemed like a struggling prospect.
Then in 2012, the Red Sox shifted him to the bullpen. He responded with a 3.35 ERA over 40.1 innings, his best in his career at that point. Since 2012 he has logged 366.0 innings over 387 games with a 2.21 ERA, 2.24 FIP, and a 0.937 WHIP. From 2014-2017 he posted a 1.72 ERA over 261.0 innings. This is the golden age of Andrew Miller.
Andrew Miller is coming off an off-year posting a 4.24 ERA over 34.0 innings including a 3.51 FIP, 1.382 WHIP.
If the Mets are making to look a splash, Andrew Miller is a great place to start. But on his own, he’s definitely not enough.
