Yankees reliever Andrew Miller hasn’t been told ‘yes’ and hasn’t been told ‘no’, but New York’s incertitude and reticence to trade the 31-year-old this July hasn’t kept other teams from interposing.
On Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, eight teams had scouts in attendance to watch Miller, according to George King of the New York Post, including Chicago Cubs’ scout Terry Kennedy.
It wasn’t the first time that Miller has been tracked, as Cubs’ pro scouting heads Jared Porter and Jason Parks visited the Bronx on June 12 and June 25, with eyes on the Yankees’ bullpen trio of Miller, Dellin Betances, and Aroldis Chapman. Two weeks ago in San Diego, the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers also joined the Cubs, catching a glimpse of Miller.
But of the three arms, the Cubs reportedly have a favorite, according to King:
Between Aroldis Chapman and Miller, the Cubs would prefer Miller. Many believe Miller is the better pitcher. He also is signed for two more years at $9 million each, making him a better deal financially than Chapman ($11.325 million), who will be a free agent following the season and can’t be given a qualifying offer if traded during the season.
Every team has its price, and during All-Star festivities this past week, Chelsea James of The Washington Post reported that the Yankees told Miller that they would likely accept an overwhelming offer.
In 39.1 innings this season, Miller has earned a 1.37 ERA with 69 strikeouts and seven saves.
