New York Yankees Take Risk, Sign Pitcher Shelby Miller

By Jordan Long

The New York Yankees season starts on April 7th when they take on their hated rivals, the Boston Red Sox.  New York is hoping to improve from its’ 92-70 record.  New York decided to sign pitcher  Shelby Miller to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training for a chance to earn a spot on the  big league roster.

                Miller heads into his 10th MLB season and New York is his 7th team.  His previous stops include St. Louis, Atlanta, Arizona, Texas, Chicago, and Pittsburgh.  In his career, Miller appeared in 132 games as a starting pitcher but his results have been disappointing. His record stands at 38-57 with an ERA of 4.19.

                There were two years he had an above .500 record, 2013 and 2014 when he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals.  In 2013 he had his top season with a record of 15-9.  2014 Miller ended at 10-9.

                Last season Miller was with the Cubs.  He was supposed to bolster the Cubs bullpen but it only lasted 2 innings.  He didn’t have a record but his ERA was 31.50.  Miller was placed on the injured list on April 23^rd with a lower back strain.  On May 9^th, he pitched for the Iowa Cubs the Cubs’ triple-A affiliate in a rehab stint, anticipating  Miller would be called back to pitch for Chicago.   With Iowa, he pitched in 10.1 innings with an era of 1.74.

                Chicago though decided to move on from him on June 1^st,  releasing Miller.  He wasn’t out of work long as Pittsburgh signed him to a minor league contract.  He pitched for the Indianapolis Indians, the triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  There he pitched in 14 innings with a record of 2-1 and an ERA of 3.86.

                Miller finished the year with Pittsburgh.  He appeared in 10.2 innings with an ERA of 5.06. When the season came to a close for Pittsburg they decided to let him go.

                New York is taking a chance.  Miller has shown he can pitch in the big league level even as a middle relief pitcher.  New York is hoping he can help the bullpen.  The problem is Miller hasn’t been a great pitcher since 2013.  The worst case is Miller starts with Scranton Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders who are the triple-A team for New York.  If he pitches well there or in the remaining spring training games, then he could suit up for the Yankees.  This might be Miller’s last chance to show he can be an effective pitcher.