Andrew Miller Would Give New York Yankees Dynamic Duo With Dellin Betances

The calendar has turned to December and the New York Yankees have been relatively quiet. Now it appears that the they are about to turn up the heat on the hot stove.

Reports suggest that the Yankees have expressed interest in Baltimore Orioles left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Miller. Other teams interested in Miller’s services are the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and others. Signing Miller would be a tremendous boost to the Yankees bullpen.

Last month, the Yankees’ 2014 closer, David Robertson, walked away from the Yankees’ one-year, $15.3 million offer. Reports have suggested that Robertson is seeking a four-year deal worth around $50 million per year. The Yankees already have a closer in waiting in right-hander Dellin Betances. A 6-foot-8 flamethrower, Betances struck out 135 batters in over 90 innings of work last season. He finished the season with a 1.40 ERA.

Baltimore acquired Miller, 29, from the Red Sox at the 2014 trade deadline. For the Orioles, Miller went 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA and one save. Whether the Yankees are using their pursuit of Miller as a way of driving down Robertson’s price has been thrown around. Signing Miller could really make Robertson more of a bargain or expendable. More likely, it will make him expendable.

Betances appears destined to become the Yankees’ new closer. Miller, a former starter, practically mirrors Betances in size and stature. At 6-foot-7, 210 pounds, Miller features a fastball in the low to mid-90s and a strong slider. The combination of Betances and Miller would form an imposing lefty-righty duo out of the bullpen. However, the bigger problem for the Yankees is getting there.