Report: Diamondbacks making teams aware Shelby Miller ‘is available’
Jul 24, 2016, 11:54 AM | Updated: Jul 25, 2016, 11:17 am
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller collects himself on the mound after giving up a three run home run to Pittsburgh Pirates' Gregory Polanco during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, May 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Shelby Miller has only made 14 starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and after paying a large price to acquire him in December, the D-backs are reportedly making him available in trade talks.
Sources: The Diamondbacks have let teams know Shelby Miller is available in a trade. Price isn't nearly what it cost them eight months ago.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 24, 2016
Miller’s collapse this season has been one of the biggest shocks in 2016. In those 14 starts, Miller is 2-9 with a 7.14 ERA and has not pitched at least seven innings in a start once, something he did 12 times in 2015.
Arizona received loads of criticism from the national media for giving up No. 1 overall pick Dansby Swanson, heralded pitching prospect Aaron Blair and Ender Inciarte, who was coming off a season in which he hit .303 while playing great defense at only 25 years old.
ESPN’s Keith Law, one of the leaders of that criticism, joked on twitter on the price of Miller.
It won't cost the top overall pick plus two more guys? You don't say. https://t.co/q6DbVNZiHh
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) July 24, 2016
Miller’s demotion to Triple-A Reno has left more than just the national media asking questions. D-backs’ CBO Tony La Russa said health had an impact, but that hasn’t prevented the critiques from coming in. That includes Passan, the writer making the report on Miller’s availability.
The less discussed area of the deal has been the other end in Atlanta and how it hasn’t been going to according to plan this season. Blair had a disastrous start to his career for the Braves and Inciarte is hitting a career-low .242.
Two teams rumored to be interested in bringing in Miller are the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.
