Berks-native Miller expected to be non-tendered

For the second Christmas in a row, Wade Miller could be getting a pink slip under the tree.

According to the Boston Herald, the Boston Red are not expected to tender the 29-year-old pitcher a contract before tonight’s midnight deadline, effectively releasing the pitcher.

Miller spent one season with the Sox after signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract with performance bonuses. He went 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA, missing the first 30 games while recovering from a strained right shoulder, then landing on the disabled list again Aug. 9 with shoulder stiffness and missed the rest of the season. He underwent shoulder surgery on Sept. 29. There are no reports on a timetable for his return.

This would be the second time in a year the fellow Brandywine Heights grad was non-tendered. With Houston, he frayed his rotator cuff halfway through the 2004 season and missed the remainder of the season. Rather than risk it, the Astros didn’t offer him a contract.

His best seasons were in 2001 and 2002 with the Astros, going 16-8 with a 3.40 ERA in '01 and 15-4 with a 3.28 ERA in '02. Along with Roy Oswalt, they were considered the future of the Astros pitching staff.

But in 2003, he pitched through a pinched nerve and was 14-13 with a 4.13 ERA. Doctors believe the pain is what led to the frayed cuff, causing a change in delivery.

Would the Phillies have interest?
The doctors would know more about Miller’s status than anybody, but his future is indeed murky after multiple problems with his pitching shoulder.

As we know, the Phillies need starting pitching. When healthy, Miller is a good pitcher. If he hopes to land on his feet again, an offer from the Phillies might be the most attractive scenario if the team is willing to chance it. He resides about an hour from Philadephia, where he can rehab close to home.

Depending on the time-table for his return, a small, one-year deal in the $1 million range, loaded with performance bonuses, wouldn’t hurt. Realistically, coming off shoulder surgery just three months ago, it’s a gamble that would hinge entirely on the advice of specialists.

Obviously, I’m cheering for him, but I'm also cheering for the Phillies to make some kind of move for a veteran pitcher. A signing like this isn't entirely out of the question. Would the Phillies bring the local boy aboard?

Comments

[gr]

for million dollars, it's worth a shot. with the market the way it is, it's not out of the question that he could get 2 or $2.5 mill. he hasn't been healthy in 2 years though and chances are, the docs told the sox "don't bother." one million to the sox is even less money than it is to the phils.

[pat]

at this point i think im willing to embrace anything on the pitching front, lets throw a bunch of arms into the mix in spring training and see what happens. maybe the phils will actually get lucky for once

[Tom Durso]

Ugh. Haven't we done enough of the let's-give-him-a-year-and-see-what-he-can-do?

[Richie of Ashburn]

Miller may be too long a shot but we need somebody...I thought this Houston Chronicle article was interesting:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/lopez/3536349.html

Especially this part: He [Dayton McLane] would not discuss specifics, but it has been clear that acquiring an outfielder is a priority. Philadelphia's Bobby Abreu is among those on the Astros' radar. Other teams have inquired about closer Brad Lidge. Also mentioned but less likely to be involved are starter Brandon Backe and relievers Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler.

"There are two to four (trades) that we're talking about right now," McLane said. "One of them is really exciting, but I have no idea what will happen. We're ready to do it. It's a matter of getting it done."

What about Backe in the 4th spot in the rotation and Qualls setting up Flash?

[MPN]

JW: Does the Damon signing now potentially open up the possibility of a Manny for Beltran trade which then further may open up a Bobby to Beantown trade (Marte, Shoppach, and so on)? Just curious of your read.

[J. Weitzel]

MPN: Don't know. I haven't been keeping up with Beltran for Manny, actually it's the first I heard of it. Who would the Mets have for center field then?

[MPN]

JW: Presumably Lastings Milledge or, more unlikely, Tike Redman. I don't think the Mets will get any takers on Kaz Matsui and Benson, so if they want Manny they are going to have to free up some salary (even their platinum card has limits), and Beltran would by the biggest chunk of salary, presumably, they could offer.... as Cliff Floyd allegedly doesn't want to go back to Beantown. Obviously this is all speculative... but there were Beltran rumblings after the season.

[Richie of Ashburn]

To all of you that suggest trading Abreu at the deadline sounds good, I assume you believe the Phils will be out of the chase by then. Maybe they will be but you can trade him now (at the peak of his value) and get the pitching so we are not out of the chase come mid-summer. Get some pitching and hope Utley takes his place offensively.