The New York Yankees are reportedly very interested in signing left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Miller, but may not be willing to meet his contract demands. If that sounds familiar to Yankees fans, it's because that is also how the organization is handling the free agency of their own 2014 closer David Robertson.
The Yankees had one of MLB's top bullpens in 2014, thanks largely to Robertson's 39-save campaign. He posted a 3.08 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while striking out 13.4 batters per nine innings.
Miller wasn't a closer last season, but he was even more lights-out than Robertson, and helped the Orioles reach the ALCS after a trade deadline day deal. He finished 2014 with a 5-5 record pitching for Boston and Baltimore, posting a combined 2.02 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 103 strikeouts in 62.1 innings.
The Houston Chronicle is reporting now that the team is not feverishly pursuing Miller, which does better their chances of signing him to a deal that is more to their liking. The Astros had been reported to be in on both Miller and Robertson, but general manager A.J. Hinch indicated he's in no rush to sign either.
"I haven't given it a ton of thought exactly until the personnel department's done," Hinch said. "There's been talking about adding a closer - obviously, Chad Qualls has closing experience. We've got a lot of time to make a decision. I'd say time will tell."
Hinch also noted the unpredictability of bullpen performance as a potential reason to run back a very similar looking 'pen in the hopes of better results.
"You could almost bring back the same back bullpen and you won't get the same exact performance. I would say the bullpen's a point of emphasis, but again, those have to naturally evolve over the offseason. And I know Jeff's turned over every rock trying to figure out the right combo."
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