ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

The Diamondbacks would be wise to hold on to Shelby Miller through the trade deadline

Jul 27, 2016, 12:00 PM

Arizona Diamondbacks' Shelby Miller pauses on the mound after giving up his third home run to the C...

Arizona Diamondbacks' Shelby Miller pauses on the mound after giving up his third home run to the Colorado Rockies of the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is fast approaching, and we expect the only untouchable on the Arizona Diamondbacks is Paul Goldschmidt. You might be able to add Jake Lamb to that list, as well.

Everyone else is fair game for a team that has been decimated with injuries and has been a major disappointment.

But there is one player I would really like to see the D-backs hold onto, and that is Shelby Miller.

Now I know it makes no sense to some, that if you could get something for Miller who was recently sent down to the minors after posting a 2-9 record with a 7.14 ERA, you do it and cut your losses. But the reality is that any trade for Miller will bring pennies on the dollar.

There is no team out there that will give Arizona quality prospects or players to take Miller. I’m sure there are plenty of teams that would trade for him, as he’s only 25 years old and had three good years in the bigs before being traded from Atlanta to Arizona in a blockbuster trade that saw the D-backs give up their top overall prospect and No. 1 overall pick shortstop Dansby Swanson.​

What I prefer is that Arizona fixes Miller, and that they don’t actually give up on him and instead figure out what is wrong and get it fixed.

The guy has had success. I used the analogy the other day on the show of a car being brought into the shop that is leaking oil, needs a brake-job and is just not running right. I would hope the shop has a good mechanic that can fix the car properly and get it back on the road. And I expect the same out of the Diamondbacks.

They have to believe they have the right coaches and support staff in place to spend the time necessary to get Miller correct.

Trading Miller to me is giving up on him way too soon. It’s admitting a mistake, and I agree so far it has been a big mistake. But why not try to fix the car and get it back on the road running properly? If the Diamondbacks can fix Miller, maybe, just maybe, they have something behind Zack Greinke for the next few years.

They believed in Miller when they traded for him and they had every right to. He was a good pitcher. He is not a good pitcher now, but why throw in the towel?

It makes no sense to trade him knowing you can’t possibly get fair value back. Does Arizona not believe it has the right teachers, the right coaches in place to figure out why he is struggling and get it corrected? If they trade him, that’s basically what they are saying.

So in the best interest of the organization, it would be wise to work with Miller and not trade him.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Diamondbacks

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

4 minutes ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

39 minutes ago

Manager Torey Lovullo speaks with Corbin Carroll...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable: Expectations, predictions for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks

What are the expectations for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks? Arizona Sports show hosts and editors make their predictions.

3 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks agree to TV, cable and satellite channel contracts

The Arizona Diamondbacks will air on linear TV channels as well as streams under an MLB-produced broadcast partnership in 2024.

6 hours ago

Jordan Lawlar, D-backs...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar to have thumb surgery

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar will have surgery on his right thumb after tearing a ligament, GM Mike Hazen said on Wednesday.

21 hours ago

General shot of Chase Field...

Bailey Leasure

What’s new at Chase Field for the 2024 D-backs season?

The Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 season will see the team debut new food items, enhancements to the ballpark and giveaways.

1 day ago

The Diamondbacks would be wise to hold on to Shelby Miller through the trade deadline