Yankees rumors: Brian Cashman open to trading Andrew Miller

The Yankees don't have many opening on their roster in the offseason before the 2016 season, but don't confuse that for a roster without questions or needs. Instead of signing free agents to solve problems in the starting rotation, Brian Cashman will need to get creative again and pursue trades that won't require a large sum of money to prove beneficial. As it was reported recently, the Yankees GM is open to any and all moves that could improve the team over the long run, and apparently that includes closer Andrew Miller.

While there hasn't been any specific rumor linked to the left-hander, Jon Heyman is reporting that the chatter among general managers is that the Yankees are putting Miller out there on the block. That doesn't mean they're actively trying to sell him off, but could simply be trying to see what's out there. The teams are wary of such a deal because Miller is still owed $27 million over the next three seasons and would require a huge return after an amazing first year in the Bronx with a 2.05 ERA, 2.16 FIP, 14.6 K/9 (!), and 36 saves in 61.2 innings that earned him the Mariano Rivera Award.

The market for relievers is expected to be weak with teams like the Tigers, Astros, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, and Red Sox all looking for closers and only Tyler Clippard, Joakim Soria, and Darren O'Day leading the free agent class. After all the drama that happened with the Nationals, Heyman suggests that Miller might be a fit if they clear out Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon. It could make sense for the Nats to send out Stephen Strasburg in return since the Yankees would require elite starting pitching and are unlikely to extend Strasburg before he hits the open market next offseason.

Of course, this is all speculation right now. The Yankees are just doing their due diligence and will need Miller in 2016. As great as Dellin Betances was last year, he becomes incredibly unreliable when he's not right. Given the team's issues with middle relief, it would appear like moving Miller wouldn't be the right way to go, unless they plan to acquire Aroldis Chapman or Craig Kimbrel in a concurrent move.