Yankees Rumors: Is signing Andrew Miller a risk worth taking?

Over the past five seasons, former Yankees pitcher Andrew Miller has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, but in 2018 he had an off year largely due to injuries. Now a free agent, there are still concerns regarding his health which could be one of the reasons why he’s yet to sign with a new club.

When the Yankees traded Miller to the Indians back in 2016 right before the trade deadline I always thought there’d be a chance we’d see him back in pinstripes again someday. Before this past season, I thought for sure the Yankees would be one of the favorites to sign Miller as a free agent just like they did during December of 2015.

Back then, Miller was one of the top free agent relievers on the market and the Yanks paid him like one by giving him a four year $36 million contract. Miller earned every cent of that money as he pitched to a 1.77 ERA, striking out 14.9 batters per 9 during his time in New York and a 2.22 ERA, striking out 13.3 per 9 with the Indians.

This time around Miller is still highly sought after by a handful of teams but his next contract is going to earn him a lot less. Because of his age (33), and the chronic right knee injury he suffered last season Miller probably isn’t going to get any offers for more than a year or two. He could earn a similar salary to the $9 million he got per season with the Yankees but only if a team believes he’s truly healthy and that his knee won’t continue to plague him moving forward.

One of the reasons a nagging knee issue can be troublesome for a pitcher like Miller is because he’s so tall standing at 6’7. We’ve seen a similar injury cause the 6’6 CC Sabathia to go on the DL multiple times over the past couple seasons because no matter how much rest or treatment is done the injury always seems to eventually come up again and cause problems. Who knows if that’s going to be the same case with Miller but it’s definitely a question a lot of teams are asking themselves as they consider signing him to a contract.

Earlier this week I wrote a post about why the Yankees should not consider signing the oft-injured Troy Tulowitzki. Even though it would only take a one-year deal at the league minimum to get him it’s a risk that isn’t worth taking because the Yankees can’t afford to have him start in their infield only to lose him early in the season to yet another injury.

In the case of Miller, I think the risk is definitely worth taking because of the position he plays. The Yankees bullpen even without current free agents Zach Britton and David Robertson is still one of the best in baseball. Miller would make them even better but he wouldn’t have to take on the same role he did with the team during his first go-around in New York.

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Because the Yankees already have a shutdown closer (Chapman) and an elite set up man (Betances), Miller could play a more complementary role out of the pen where his workload wouldn’t have to be as big. He wouldn’t be asked to pitch multiple innings very often if at all and he wouldn’t have to pitch in back to back games. He could also be a lefty specialist on some nights and come in only to get out a lefty batter or two.

At this point in his career, I think that’s a role Miller would be open to filling especially for a team like the Yankees that’s expected to compete for a championship. Miller has said he loved his time in New York and never wanted to leave so unless some team is going to offer him a big three or four year deal for big money I think there’s a good chance he still ends up back in New York.

Despite his injury history, I think the Yankees should offer Miller a two-year deal at around $20 million for a couple of reasons:

1. He’s going to cost less than say a Robertson, Britton or Ottavino to sign.
2. If he turns out to be healthy and his knee issues are completely behind him than he’s still one of the best relievers in all of baseball.

Yes, it’s a risky move handing out that contract to Miller given his recent injury history, but the reward has a chance to be so great that it’s a risk that is undoubtedly worth taking.