MLB: Reliever Miller picks Yankees over Astros – Houston Chronicle
Andrew Miller Baltimore Orioles 2014 MLB photo
Andrew Miller Baltimore Orioles 2014 MLB photo
SAN DIEGO – The Astros’ pursuit of Andrew Miller finished like many other days in general manager Jeff Luhnow’s tenure: with no one to close.
But this go-around, a franchise with a reputation for tanking and frugality did not lack for effort.
Carrying the most blown saves in baseball over the past three seasons, the Astros brought a full-court press in an attempt to sign the lefthander Miller, a dominant set-up man poised to become a full-time closer in 2015. The 29-year-old instead signed Friday with the Yankees on a four-year deal worth $36 million – $4 million less in guaranteed money than the Astros offered over four years, according to a person familiar with the situation.
“The Astros were extremely aggressive and very, very positive,” said Miller’s agent, Mark Rodgers. “I can honestly say I think they did everything they possibly could to lure him there.”
The Astros all winter have targeted bullpen help and now might turn up their effort to land David Robertson, the free-agent closer whose chances of returning to the Yankees appear significantly lessened by Miller’s signing. The Astros also have been tied to reliever Sergio Romo and are in touch with pitchers who may not qualify as closers as well.
Baseball’s winter meetings start Sunday in San Diego and could bring heavy action league-wide.
Yankees acquire SS Gregorius
In a three-team trade, the Diamondbacks sent slick-fielding, light-hitting shortstop Didi Gregorius to the Yankees, where he becomes a favorite to replace Derek Jeter.
Gregorius’ first major league home run came in Yankee Stadium in his first at-bat as a Diamondback in 2013.
The Tigers acquired righthanded pitcher Shane Greene from the Yankees and sent lefthanded pitcher Robbie Ray and teenage infielder Domingo Leyba to Arizona.
The 24-year-old Gregorius hit .241 with 25 doubles, eight triples, 13 homers and 55 RBIs in 183 games with Arizona.
Rays hire Cash as new manager
Kevin Cash is the new manager of the Tampa Bay Rays. The team announced the former Cleveland Indians bullpen coach as Joe Maddon’s replacement on Friday, selecting him over ex-Seattle Mariners manager and current Kansas City Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu.
Odds and ends
Former pitcher Ryan Dempster is retiring with the Chicago Cubs and joining their front office. Dempster, who played 16 years in the majors, will serve as a special assistant to president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer. … Washington Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth was convicted of reckless driving and sentenced to 10 days in jail for driving his Porsche over 100 mph on the Capital Beltway earlier this year.
From staff and wire reports
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