Texas Rangers Want Andrew Miller and Cash?

The Texas Rangers have been in contact with the New York Yankees about potentially acquiring closer-turned-setup-man Andrew Miller, but want part of his salary covered.

In breaking news, I’d like to be named the King of England, but that probably won’t happen either.

So how is it that the Rangers can actually ask the Yankees to throw in cash that will offset the prorated $9 million owed to Miller this year, and $9 million in each of the next two seasons? Blasphemy!

Miller is the one guy the Yankees aren’t in, or at least shouldn’t be in a hurry to deal. He’s club controlled through 2018, and if or when Aroldis Chapman decides to test the free agent waters this offseason (if he isn’t dealt before then), Miller would seamlessly slide right back into the ninth inning closer role.

I get that the Rangers want to bolster the back-end of their bullpen, as their relief pitching currently ranks 29th in the majors with a 5.03 ERA, 29th again with only 230 strikeouts, and are 5th worst with 16 losses.

The opening day closer Shawn Tolleson and his 7.29 ERA were removed from said role on May 18th in favor of Sam Dyson who has done a solid job closing out 19 games while compiling an ERA of 2.53.

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But the addition of Miller would allow Texas’ manager Jeff Banister to utilize a closer by committee approach depending on right or left handed batters faced in the waning innings of each contest.

What I’m having trouble wrapping my head around though is the idea that the Rangers would actually require financial compensation plus a great late inning power arm to consummate a trade!

According to Spotrac, Miller is tied as the 8th highest paid relief pitcher in all of baseball this season. But that’s because he was signed in 2015 as a closer. Would he be an overpaid setup man? A 1.34 ERA with 70 K’s in 40.1 innings would point to the opposite POV.

FYI, fellow setup men Sergio Romo of the San Francisco Giants and Koji Uehara of the Boston Red Sox are the other two also making $9 million this season; and no offense but those guys don’t come close to having the “stuff,” Miller does.

If I’m the Yankees, I stick to my guns and refuse to trade Miller, unless of course, as management has already stated, they are absolutely blown away by a potential offer.

That offer would have to include the sweet-swinging left-handed bat and replacement for Chase Headley‘s .257 BA, Joey Gallo. I’d also insist on 22-year-old outfielder Lewis Brinson. Brison’s combination of speed and fantastic throwing arm will allow him to play any and all outfield positions; while his raw power, keen batting eye, and excellent base running could result in him becoming a 30-30 type player.

As for the addition of a legitimate shooter, the Rangers lack upper echelon type assets, especially ones that are Major League ready.

2015 1st round pick Dillon Tate can dominate hitters with two pitches, a lively 92-98 mph fastball, and a sharp 85-89 mph slider. At 22 years of age, Tate is currently refining his changeup, using it more often this season at Single-A Hickory, but is still at least a year and a half away from sniffing the bigs.

Next: Is the Yankee Sell-off Near?

To reiterate, if I were Brian Cashman, I would do everything in my power to keep Miller in the fold; but with so many rumors flying around as to what the Yankees may or may not do via trades, it’s truly hard to get a read on what this club will look like come August 1st.

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