Yankees reliever Andrew Miller is all too familiar with the trade rumors that have mentioned his name over the last few weeks, but even though the southpaw can’t control his landing place, New York has possibly decided that for him.
According to Barry Bloom of MLB.com, Miller has been assured by Yankees executives during the past month that he will not be dealt at the Aug.1 non-waiver trade deadline, despite all public rumblings.
“The media has been throwing a few things out there, but I’ve had reassurances from them at the times I’ve talked to them that it’s something that hasn’t been discussed or planned for or anything like that,” Miller said. “I think that’s kind of nice.
“But I have no trade protection. I’m at the mercy of that what they decide to do. I get it. It’s a business. I want to be here. I want to play here. But it’s impossible to avoid sometimes.”
Miller has eyes and ears, but his Saturday night performance did in fact show that he is human, giving up a game-winning home run to Melvin Upton Jr. in the ninth inning that handed the Padres the walk-off victory. It was Miller’s first loss since July 30 of last season, and scouts from interested parties were there to witness it.
But one hiccup hasn’t defined Miller’s time in New York. The 31-year-old has recorded 43 saves and 165 strikeouts since the start of 2015, and is still due $18 million by the time his contract expires in 2018, providing consistency and security.
“I hope that they keep me around,” Miller said. “But I understand there are situations and there are offers that could be too good to refuse. That’s the reality of the business. I can’t worry about it. I have zero leverage in the situation, but I came here to play for the Yankees.”
