Andrew Miller Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding Star Pitcher

Ace relief pitcher Andrew Miller is one of the hottest commodities on baseball's free-agent market this winter. The lefty has signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the Yankees.

Continue for updates.

Friday, Dec. 5

Miller Signs Four-Year, $36 Million Deal With Yankees

The Yankees announced the deal via Twitter:

Jack Curry of the YES Network has the latest on Miller.

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Multiple Teams Still Hunting Miller, Yanks Lead Pack

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has an update on teams still interested in Andrew Miller:

However, Rosenthal noted that a front-runner has emerged:

Later on Wednesday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports provided a round-up on the latest rumors involving the Yankees, Astros and more:

"

Andrew Miller appears to be getting closer to a deal that will surely make him the highest paid non-closer in baseball history, and the latest word is that the Yankees are battling another team or two in a field that's been narrowed way down from 22 to just a few.

The Astros, who are looking for a top reliever, are seen as a possible threat at the moment. And if they sign Miller, he'd become their close, though he's been a set-up man his whole career.

The Dodgers had been seen as a possibility but don't appear to be a favorite now, as they may not be so anxious to add another high-priced reliever at a time they are trying to cut costs. The Red Sox, another potential suitor, appear to have bowed out altogether.

(...)

It appears he will have a deal within a day or two.

"

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Yankees Increasingly Likely to Sign Miller

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Yankees have ramped up their efforts to sign Andrew Miller, and he's moved up their target list more than anyone could have anticipated:

"

 Star closer David Robertson seems likely to get a four-year deal somewhere – but it probably wouldn't be from his old Yankees team.

The Yankees seem perhaps willing to go four years for a reliever – but in a twist, it seems more likely to be top set-up man Andrew Miller if they do so.

"

Heyman also broke down the Yankees' thinking:

"

While Miller is the same age as Robertson (29) and both are amazing strikeout artists (Miller averaged 14.9 Ks per nine innings, Robertson 13.4), Miller isn't a closer, and didn't do his own superb work last year in New York. It seems, though, that the Yankees' thought process is a matter of simple economics.

Robertson is likely to ultimately be in the $12 million to $14 million range while Miller is likely to wind up in the $8 million to $11 million range, making a four-year deal perhaps more palatable to the Yankees. On top of that, while Robertson has a draft choice attached to him by virtue of him turning down the Yankees' $15.3-million qualifying offer, Miller does not.

"

Monday, Dec. 1

Yankees in 'Serious Pursuit,' Dodgers Also Interested

ESPN's Buster Olney reported the Yankees' desire to land Miller, while Joel Sherman of NYPost.com provided a synopsis of his conversation with Miller's agent:

Olney also reported on the Dodgers' interest in Miller:

Saturday, Nov. 29

Miller Nearing Decision

According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, Miller is getting close to making a decision:

Monday, Nov. 17

Miller a Top Target in Free Agency

Fresh off of their reported signing of free-agent catcher Russell Martin, per MLB on Twitter, the Toronto Blue Jays appear ready for their next winter splash. Jeff Blair of SportsNet reported Monday that the Blue Jays are aggressively pursuing pitcher Andrew Miller:

Miller, 29, spent last season with the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles. A highly touted starter coming up in the Detroit Tigers organization, the left-hander has found a home as a flamethrower out of the bullpen. He compiled a 5-5 record with a 2.02 ERA and 0.80 WHIP in 2014, splitting the season between Boston and Baltimore after a deadline trade.   

Since moving to the bullpen full time in 2012, Miller has been a consistently solid option. He's struck out more than 14 batters per nine innings each of the last two seasons, peaking at a 14.87 rate in 2014. His 2.3 wins above replacement was the sixth-best mark among relievers and the third-best among non-closers. 

"I think Andrew's evolution in the bullpen and his numbers this year fortify the belief in baseball that he's a closer-in-waiting—and maybe the time for waiting is over," Mark Rodgers, Miller's agent, told reporters at the general managers' meetings in Phoenix.

Nick Wass/Associated Press

The Blue Jays could use increased reliability in the back half of their bullpen. Casey Janssen, the team's closer in 2014, had a 3.94 ERA and blew five saves last season. Toronto's bullpen ranked 22nd in wins above replacement, earning a win less as a whole than Miller did by himself.

Thanks in large part to Miller and closer Zach Britton, Baltimore finished with baseball's fifth-best bullpen. With the likes of Tommy Hunter also around to shore up the bullpen, it's unlikely the Orioles pony up enough cash to keep Miller in town.

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