Despite reports that came out earlier this week indicating the New York Yankees told Andrew Miller he will not be traded, Miller has stated otherwise according to an article by Brendan Kuty with NJ.com.
Miller had the following to say in regards to the situation and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman:
“No, they did not say – everything (Cashman) has been quoted on, he’s told me,” Miller stated. Â “His honesty has been very forward and clear and appreciated. Â I’ve been told at times that discussions had not been had. Â Maybe they’ve been had since. Â I don’t know. Â That’s for them to answer.”
He added, “I think there have certainly been moments of things getting passed back to me, some assurances like, ‘Hey, everyone else is maybe jumping the gun on this.’ Â For me, the best thing I can say is, whatever either Cashman or Joe (Girardi) says is going to be the truth because that’s the way they operate. Â I think that’s the best way to go with it.”
He seems to believe and trust both Cashman and Girardi and the fact that they are being honest with him approaching the August 1 trade deadline.
Miller’s name has come up in trade rumors all season, including the off-season following his 2015 performance in which he provided the Yankees with 36 saves in his first year as closer. Â In fact, the whole back-end of the Yankees bullpen has been of late: Miller, Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman are attracting interest from MLB contenders.
To no surprise, Miller was selected to his first ever All-Star team on Tuesday. Â He has been lights out for the Yankees this season, posting a 1.47 ERA with 66 strikeouts (16.2 K/9) in just 36.2 innings of work.
He is owed $9 million per season in 2017 and 2018.  The Yankees should either look to extend Miller or look for nothing but a king’s ransom in a trade.
