The Shelby Miller saga continues. The Atlanta Braves have made it clear that the starting pitcher is available for trades, but their asking price is not low. With several teams aiming to avoid high-priced players like David Price or Johnny Cueto, Miller is the hottest name on the market right now considering he is 25 with a good resume, but can the Braves expect to get in return for the starting pitcher?
According to MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, over 20 teams have expressed interest in acquiring Miller. The Braves traded for the pitcher last season with the intention of keeping him around, but after seeing the amount of interest in him, a trade cannot be resisted for the rebuilding franchise. So just what can the Braves expect to get as they are demanding a lot for the starter.
Rosenthal reports the Los Angeles Dodgers are willing to offer Joc Pederson in a trade deal. The Dodgers appear to be accepting the fact that they will be losing Zack Greinke in the offseason after the pitcher opted for free agency and Miller would be a solid replacement. The deal makes sense for both sides. Miller gives the Dodgers another starting pitcher while Pederson can fill the centerfield role while being a young player the Atlanta Braves can develop for the future.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs are interested in a starting pitcher like Miller and are willing to offer up young prospects like Javier Baez in the deal. Baez fits the mold of players the Braves are targeting in trades. He is a young infielder and while he did not get much playing time in 2015, he could develop into a strong asset for the Braves who are not committed to Eric Aybar in the infield.
The New York Yankees are emerging as a contender for Miller as they aim to get another quality starter in the mix. According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Yankees have asked about Miller, but the Braves are requesting Luis Severino in return. Heyman reports the Yankees have no interest in that deal. The Braves were wise to ask for Severino. They are well aware the demand is high on Miller right now so why not swing for the fences and try to acquire someone with plenty of potential which is what Severino represents. Instead, the Yankees are more likely to offer up young arms like Bryan Mitchell and Ian Clarkin while also shopping Ivan Nova and Brett Gardner.
Are the Braves expecting too much in return for Miller? He is a young pitcher a team can control beyond 2017 which is ideal in most trade situations. However, Atlanta must be careful. Right now they need to strike while the iron is hot and not let other names emerge on the market. The Braves have good options in front of them and they would wise to take one while the interest is still there.
