With big names like David Price, Zack Greinke and Jeff Samardzija officially off the market heading into the MLB Winter Meetings, Shelby Miller becomes extremely popular. The Atlanta Braves continue to toy on a trade of the starting pitcher knowing that he is worth a lot on the market right now. While sources say the team is not actively shopping Miller, that might change during the Winter Meetings.
According to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, the Braves are not budging on the high price for Miller. The team is well aware that plenty of clubs want to acquire the 25-year-old, but since they are not necessarily in desperate need for a deal, they will keep the price tag for him at a very high value. The Braves have already demanded Joc Pederson, AJ Pollack and Jorge Soler along with Luis Severino in a deal for Miller and they are not backing down. Starks reports the team does not want a developing player for Miller, the want someone who is ready to contribute right away. That might mean a deal does not happen.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Arizona Diamondbacks are very interested despite just landing Greinke. The Diamondbacks have Pollock in their back pocket which is who the Braves really want in a deal, but Arizona has been hesitant to trade away the outfielder. It is hard to see the Braves budging on a deal if Pollock were not included in the package.
According to the Denver Post, the Colorado Rockies could show interest as they just made it clear Carlos Gonzalez was up for grabs. The star has two years and $37 million left on his contract which Atlanta has no interest in while Corey Dickerson could be of interest to the team while helping the outfield. According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Rockies are not a team currently sniffing around the Miller market, but they could be an option at some point.
The Chicago Cubs still remain an option as the team searches for another good starting pitcher. They have prospects that could really win the Braves over. After denying Addison Russell was available, the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Javier Baez and Soler could end up being options for Miller if the team gets desperate. With the market thinning out, the Cubs can afford to pay for a starter, but a trade might be what they have to turn to especially if Johnny Cueto gets picked up soon.
The Braves will not actively pursue a trade of Miller according to ESPN, but they will pick up the phone when it rings. Any team looking to get the pitcher will really have to come with an impressive offer to win over the club.
