One of the goals in the offseason for the 2019 season the St. Louis Cardinals wanted to do was find a left handed reliever for their bullpen. The Cardinals bullpen last season had trouble getting left handed hitters out. That may have changed on Friday with the Cardinals signing LHP Andrew Miller to a two-year contract worth $25 million with a vesting option for 2021. The option vests if Miller makes 110 appearances combined in 2019-2020. Miller's option is worth $12 million and it includes a buyout for $2.5 million. The contract includes a full no-trade clause.Miller, 33, spent the last three seasons playing for the Cleveland Indians. He helped the Indians reach the 2016 World Series after being acquired from the New York Yankees. Miller struck-out a career high 123 batters. Miller was an All-Star in 2016, and 2017. In 2015, Miller served as the Yankees closer getting 36 saves in 61.2 innings with 100 strikeouts, and 20 walks. He'd later win AL Reliver of the Year for 2015. Miller didn't pitch in the playoffs in 2013 because he was injured but he won a World Series with the Red Sox.
Miller has played 13 seasons in the MLB. Over those 13 seasons his career stats are: 49-48, 3.98 era, 483 games, 66 starts, 53 saves, 725.1 innings, 853 strikeouts, 335 walks, and a whip of 1.34. Miller ranks among the MLB's top 10 in reliver era (2.00 - 4th), opponent batting average (.170 - 7th), strikeouts (263 - tied for 9th), strikeout/walk ratio (5.72 - 7th), holds (63 - 7th), and whip (0.88 - 4th) all over all the past three seasons.
Miller was injured for some of the 2018 season, but he still was able to get left handed batters out. They hit .227 against Miller last season. That's an upgrade compared to any lefty the Cardinals had last season. If healthy Miller should be fine for the Cardinals in 2019. The Cardinals even did more background work on Miller to make sure he was healthy. Andrew Miller, Alex Reyes, and Jordan Hicks could be a nice back end of the bullpen for the Cardinals. Will the Cardinals find another arm or two for the bullpen? They need a backup catcher for Yadier Molina at some point. The Cardinals are having one of their best off-seasons in awhile getting both Paul Goldschmidt and now Andrew Miller.
To make room for Andrew Miller on the 40-man roster the Cardinals have designated RHP Ryan Meisinger for assignment.
2 comments:
Looks like your friend Mo followed your advice and addressed the Cards second biggest need. Here’s to hoping he stays healthy through the playoffs.
J.Z.
I never knew Mo was my friend. I don't give him advice though.
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