The Yankees have signed infielder Brad Miller to a minor league contract, the team announced. They did not say where he’s been assigned, but I assume it is Triple-A Scranton. Steven wrote about Miller as a potential target after he was designated for assignment Indians last week.
Miller, 29, was in Spring Training with the Dodgers this year, and when he didn’t make their Opening Day roster, he hooked on with Cleveland. He hit .250/.325/.417 (96 wRC+) with one home run in 40 plate appearances before Jason Kipnis returned from the injured list to reclaim the second base job. Miller ripped the Indians after being let go.
Once a stathead fave and an overrated Mariners prospect …
Mariners. Stop the charade. Brad Miller isn't just the starting shortstop, he could be a future superstar. Not star. Super. Star.
— Lookout Landing (@LookoutLanding) March 19, 2014
… Miller has suited up for three different teams in the last 12 months, and he’s a career .240/.313/.409 (99 wRC+) hitter in over 2,500 big league plate appearances. He even had a 30-homer season with the Rays in 2016. Brutal defense all around the field (career -51 DRS) makes him a replacement level player at this point at this point in his career.
The Yankees have been hammered by injures this season and Miller can play all four infield spots as well as some outfield, so he’ll help replenish depth. It is possible he will be called up to replace Thairo Estrada on the bench at some point, maybe after some tune-up at-bats with the RailRiders. We’ll see.