So... it's been a bit of a busy day in Yankeeland. This morning, the Yankees made news by officially acquiring a new shortstop, Didi Gregorius, in a three-team trade that sent young starter Shane Greene to the Tigers. That would have made for a big day regardless, but they weren't done. There have been rumors for days connecting the Yankees to setup man extraordinaire Andrew Miller, and the two sides made their pact official, as the Yanks inked Miller to a four-year, $36 million contract. Although it was an exciting move to bring in an arm from 2014 so dominant that the Orioles dealt a top prospect in exchange for half a season of him, it did cast serious doubt over the Yankees' intentions to bring back popular homegrown closer David Robertson. All things considered, how did Twitter react?
If Robertson goes elsewhere, I'd like to see neither Betances nor Miller as the Closer™. Go with matchups etc. Don't see it happening though
— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) December 5, 2014
That would be pretty ideal, though it'd still be fun to have D-Rob back. One figures that the Yankees will pick one of Miller or Dellin to close if he doesn't return though, despite this nice idea.
I'm a big believer in not investing heavily in a bullpen, but Andrew Miller for four years and $36 million actually seems reasonable to me.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) December 5, 2014
It's a risky business giving multi-year, high-value contracts to relievers, but Miller has been excellent enough over the past few years that $9 million per year really doesn't seem that bad.
@mimbro1 it's not that i am like oh miller bad it's just that drob is better. give me both.
— Mazinger L (@leokitty) December 5, 2014
As intriguing as Miller is, I would not complain about bringing D-Rob back as well. Imagine how devastating that bullpen could be! Unfortunately, I don't know that the Yankees will get both. Sigh. Gonna miss D-Rob.
To: Yankees CC: Andrew Miller I have an interview in two hours. I'm going to need you to just sit tight until that's done, okay? Thanks.
— Tanya Bondurant (@TanyaBondurant) December 5, 2014
One knock against Miller--he didn't respect Tanya's time. What a rascal!
Over the life of this deal, Miller will lose 3 mph of velo & 4+ strikeouts per nine if he follows the aging curve http://t.co/ye4694P27W
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) December 5, 2014
As Eno notes, the deal could certainly carry some risk, too, but here's hoping Miller stays consistent.
So sometime next year the back of the Yanks' bullpen could be Jacob Lindgren, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller. Not bad at all.
— Josh Norris (@jnorris427) December 5, 2014
Spoke to miller. Egoless. Happy to close, or set up for betances. "I have no problem handing the ball off to the next guy."
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 5, 2014
What a swell guy! Even if D-Rob doesn't come back, the prospect of both Miller and Dellin Betances back-to-back in some order is... just a bit intimidating. Also, the fact that "Strikeout Factory" Jacob Lindgren could join the fray in short order only makes matters worse for them, especially lefties. Oh, those poor lefties.
The @Yankees already have @DBetances50’s curve. Now for Andrew Miller’s slider … #HotStove pic.twitter.com/cuCZOpybhq
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) December 5, 2014
Tasty.
Andrew Miller to the Yankees means he gets to face Chris Davis somewhat regularly! Davis' career vs. Miller thus far: pic.twitter.com/7OzGPkmceH
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) December 5, 2014
I think Chris Davis preferred it when Miller was on his side. Womp womp.
Opponents vs Andrew Miller with man on 3rd & 2 outs last yr: 0-11, BB, 7 K.
— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) December 5, 2014
Well those numbers are okay, too.
Andrew Miller is a great prospect case study. Not every prospect has to reach their ceiling to make bank and be extremely useful.
— Ryan Parker (@RA_Parker) December 5, 2014
Some people might forget that Miller was once a prospect centerpiece of a trade that brought Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers from the Marlins. He didn't pan out in the rotation, but like Dellin, he's found his niche as a reliever. Always good to see players who work so hard for a very long time finally get their due!
Source confirms the Astros made a four-year, $40-million offer to Miller, who chose Yanks over Astros today. Those were 2 finalists.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) December 6, 2014
lawl Astros
***
So what did you think of the Miller signing?