Yankees Hold the Keys to an Andrew Miller Trade

Andrew Miller will be one of the most coveted pitchers at this years trade deadline. His price is sky-high, and for good reason. Because of this, Yankees GM Brian Cashman can ask for almost anything he wants in return for the relief ace.

The Yankees don’t want to trade Andrew Miller. They don’t have to. But can they? Of course.

He’s locked up for another two years where he’ll be making an extremely reasonable $18 million. He’s been arguably the game’s most dominant relief arm, with a strikeout rate (15.24 K/9) that is nothing short of incredible. When you consider this, Brian Cashman has the right to ask for a king’s ransom.

Take a look at some deals that have already went down and how they have inflated the market, like the Red Sox’s deal for Drew Pomeranz. Sure, Pomeranz was an All-Star this season with the San Diego Padres, but before his breakout year, he had a limited track record of success, bouncing from team to team. Despite this, San Diego was able to pry away Anderson Espinoza, the 15th best prospect in all of baseball, away from Boston. 

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Or what about the recent deal that sent Cub’s prospect Dan Vogelbach, whom the Yankees had interest in, to the Seattle Mariners? The Mariners sent Mike Montgomery, another pitcher with a limited track record of success to the Cubs for Vogelbach, who is not an elite prospect, but a young, controlled asset with a bright future.

It’s deals like these that make it plausible to think of the Yankees asking for Kyle Schwarber or another elite top prospect in return for Miller. Sure, Miller may be a 31-year-old reliever and Schwarber is a young bat with power, but are a team like Cubs going to risk losing the World Series because of the bullpen? Well, of course not. 

Andrew Miller is a team player, he understands what his value his and that the Yankees will move him if a offer blows them away. He’s a versatile weapon in the pen, truly capable of being dominant in any role, whether it is as a closer or set-up man.

Next: Yankees Trade Target: Kyle Schwarber

Teams love versatility and players that are open to anything if it means helping the team. Sure, any team acquiring Miller will take a big hit in the farm, but you don’t risk a shot at postseason glory at the hands of a shaky bullpen

Andrew Miller is a game-changer, and if traded, expect the Yankees future to look a lot different.