Report: Diamondbacks acquire Shelby Miller from Braves
Dec 8, 2015, 6:22 PM | Updated: 7:07 pm
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Shelby Miller works against the New York Mets in the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The Arizona Diamondbacks surprised the baseball world when they landed stud free agent pitcher Zack Greinke on a six-year deal worth $206 million.
Looks like they weren’t done there.
Sources: #DBacks agree to acquire Shelby Miller from #Braves, pending a review of medical records.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2015
#Dbacks also receiving LHP Gabe Speier in the Miller deal.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) December 9, 2015
The 25-year-old Miller made 33 starts for the Braves last season, compiling a 6-17 record with a 3.02 ERA. He struck out 171 batters in 205.1 innings, allowing 183 hits and walking 73.
Prior to joining the Braves, Miller spent the first three seasons of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 102 career appearances — 96 of which were starts — the right-hander has posted a 32-35 record with a 3.22 ERA.
As for Speier, the 20-year-old left-hander was 4-2 with a 2.86 ERA for the Single-A West Michigan last season. A reliever, he struck out 36 batters in 44 innings pitched.
Rumors of the D-backs’ interest in Miller have been around for a bit, though the Braves were apparently requesting they part with A.J. Pollock in order to make something happen.
Braves had insisted on A.J. Pollock in any deal for Shelby Miller. Source says he is not in the trade.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 9, 2015
While they kept Pollock, it looks like the D-backs did have to surrender a considerable amount of talent.
Hearing from multiple sources Ender Inciarte, Aaron Blair and Dansby Swanson are involved in the Shelby Miller deal.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) December 9, 2015
Inciarte, 25, batted .303 with six home runs and 45 RBI last season.
One of the top pitching prospects in the D-backs organization, the 23-year-old Blair posted a 7-2 record with a 3.16 ERA in 13 games for Triple-A Reno last season. In three minor league seasons across multiple levels, he has gone 23-13 with a 3.22 ERA.
Swanson, a shortstop, was the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The 21-year-old appeared in 22 games for short-season Hillsboro, batting .289 with one home run, seven doubles and 11 RBI.
