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Red Sox free agency: Looking at potential bullpen options

By Rick McNair

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Joe Kelly #56 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Joe Kelly #56 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Miller #24 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning at Progressive Field on September 22, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 5-4 in 11 innings. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Miller #24 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the seventh inning at Progressive Field on September 22, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 5-4 in 11 innings. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

Was the 2018 season a sign that 33-year-old Andrew Miller is on the road to pitching ruin? Miller’s numbers were considerably “off” from what is expected of the remarkable set-up man with a 4.24 ERA being his career highest since exclusively working out of the bullpen. Or maybe it was a series of injuries?

Miller relies on two pitches – a fastball and slider with his slider being one of the best in the game.  In 2018 Miller returned to a form that was thought to have been eradicated – walks. Miller’s 4.2 BB/9 was his highest since 2013 (5.0 BB/9). Miller’s 8.2 H/9 also represented a career-high since leaving starting (thankfully) behind.

Miller was the one free agent I would have focused on after his trade to Baltimore. Miller had proven himself in Boston and later in Baltimore, New York, and certainly Cleveland.  As a postseason pitcher, Miller has likewise been outstanding, but last season presents the danger and also impacts value. Then there is the shoulder impingement that ended Miller’s 2018 making Miller a high-risk signing.

VERDICT: Avoid

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