MLB: San Franciso Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers Eyeing Shelby Miller?
The Atlanta Braves started their rebuilding process last week by trading shortstop Andrelton Simmons to Los Angeles Angels. This week, first baseman Freddie Freeman was involved in trade talks. Now, starting pitcher Shelby Miller is the latest Braves player to have his name in the rumor mill.
According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers are eyeing a trade for the 25-year-old right-hander. The NL West rivals reportedly inquired about Miller since his name was involved in a trade talk with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Since Shelby Miller's name first emerged in the trade market, the Giants and Dodgers have checked in on his availability.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 19, 2015
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported on Tuesday that the Braves discussed a trade involving Miller and Diamondbacks' center fielder A.J. Pollock. Rosenthal added that the talks did not make any progress and the Giants and Dodgers are looking to take advantage.
#Braves, #DBacks discussed trade for ATL’s Shelby Miller, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. Talks did not progress. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 17, 2015
#Braves wanted piece from #DBacks’ major-league core, sources say - perhaps Pollock, who, like Miller, is under club control three more yrs. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 17, 2015
San Francisco missed the postseason due to lack of rotation depth, and an additional arm would certainly help them to make it back again, per Bleacher Report. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are looking for possible backup plans in case they can’t sign Zack Greinke or David Price from free agency.
Miller finished the season with a disappointing record of 6-17 but has a 3.02 ERA that is 12th best in the majors. He also pitched 205.1 innings and struck out 171 batters, per Baseball Reference. The Braves lineup just did not give enough run support for Miller, hence the 17 losses.
He went through a 24-start winless streak in his first season in Atlanta before winning his final start. Miller was also 15th in batting average allowed, 35th in walk rate and 29th in strikeout rate. He has been durable in his three seasons in the majors.
The Braves has amassed a lot of young pitchers to restock their farm system over the past couple of years, which includes the Angels' top two pitching prospects. According to MLB Prospect Watch, eight of the Braves' top 10 prospects are pitchers but they lack in hitters.
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