After a superb 2014, the left-handed reliever may have earned himself a hefty contract. Are his demands too steep for the Mets?
Entering the 2014 season, left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Miller was looking to rebound from an injury-shortened 2013 campaign with the Boston Red Sox. Recovering from a Lisfranc injury in his left foot, Miller's health was a concern. After a stellar, injury-free first half in Boston, Miller was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for a highly-touted pitching prospect. His fantastic 2014 was capped off with a trip to the postseason.
Miller's time in Boston is not to be overlooked. In 42.1 innings with the Red Sox, the lefty posted a 2.34 ERA and 1.69 FIP with a whopping 14.67 strikeouts per nine innings. Although these numbers were excellent, his name became more recognizable because of his performance post-trade. With the division-winning Orioles, Miller pitched to a 1.35 ERA and 1.13 FIP and a 15.30 strikeouts per nine in 20 innings pitched. In the postseason, he was able to showcase his talent even more, increasing his fame by the appearance. In 7.1 innings with the Orioles in the ALDS and ALCS, Miller did not allow a single run and only gave up one hit while striking out eight. He cemented his name in baseball fans' minds as one of the premier relievers in the game. For the season, Miller posted a 2.02 ERA and a 1.51 FIP. According to Fangraphs, he was worth 2.3 Wins Above Replacement, the sixth-best mark among relief pitchers.
Unlike other left-handed relievers, Miller is no less effective against righties than he is against lefties. Right-handed hitters only managed a paltry .208 wOBA against him and lefties a minuscule .211. Miller fanned 49 percent of the lefties he faced in 2014, best among all relievers in baseball, and he was third among left-handed relievers in strikeout percentage against righties. His 6.06 strikeout-to-walk ratio was 15th among all pitchers in baseball. It's fair to say Miller was a tough guy to face in 2014.
Although the Mets are in the market for a left-handed reliever to join Josh Edgin in the bullpen, it's hard to believe they'll sign Miller. Fangraphs projects him to receive a three-year, $24 million deal, a contract likely too pricey and long for the Mets' liking. In a vacuum, this would be the perfect move and fit for the team. However, Miller's fantastic second half and postseason may have priced the Mets out of his market. It does not seem as if the Mets are ready to shell out that kind of money for and make that long of a commitment with a relief pitcher. They may look for a cheaper option on a one-year deal to fill the role.