The Orioles have reportedly acquired Red Sox left handed relief pitcher Andrew Miller according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Cranick.
Andrew Miller is being traded to #orioles, says source.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 31, 2014
In return, Baltimore is sending Boston left-handed pitching prospect Eduard Rodriguez.
Update: The O’s have officially announced the deal.
Confirmed AA Bowie LHP Eduardo Rodriguez going to Red Sox for Andrew Miller
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 31, 2014
As Jeff Todd points out on MLBTradeRumors.com, Miller has been one of baseball’s best lefty relievers this season, posting a ridiculous 14.7 K/9 and 52.5% ground ball rate. Miller has limited left handed hitters to a .420 OPS and righties to a .537 OPS this season.
It’s an acquisition the strengthens the Orioles bullpen and could be the difference between a win and a loss in a short postseason series.
To make the move, the O’s had to part with their third ranked prospect according to Baseball America. That a hefty price for Miller, who is a free agent after this season. Rodriguez is a lefty that some believed would be develop into a mid-rotation starter, though CJ Wittman of Baseball Prospectus’ prospect team believes he’ll likely be a backend rotation guy.
Rodriguez hasn’t fared well in Double-A this season, pitching to a 4.79 ERA, allowing 9.8 H/9 and 3.2 BB/9. Still, it feels like the O’s could have gotten more for a 21 year old pitching prospect.
Did I mention he’s left handed?
