The Red Sox acquired Andrew Miller from the Marlins in exchange for Dustin Richardson, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports (on Twitter).
Miller, 25, was picked sixth overall by Detroit in the 2006 amateur draft and was dealt to Florida as part of the big Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis swap in December 2007. Miller was seen as arguably the biggest piece (along with Cameron Maybin) of the six-prospect package that Florida acquired for their stars, but the left-hander has struggled to become a consistent major league hurler. In 79 career games, 54 of them starts, Miller has a 5.84 ERA and a 7.2 BB/9 rate. Miller was out of options with the Marlins and could've been non-tendered, but the Red Sox were clearly willing to take a chance on a young pitcher who still has a high ceiling.
Richardson is also a 25-year-old southpaw originally chosen in the 2006 draft, though Richardson's pick came in the fifth round. Also like Miller, Richardson has struggled with control issues — in 16.1 major league innings, Richardson has recorded 15 walks. His control has been better (4.4 BB/9 rate) in the minors, plus he has a K/9 ratio of 10.0 over his five minor league seasons. Richardson has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the last two years and the Marlins were known to be looking for relief pitching this winter.
If the Sox can straighten Miller out, this will be a great pickup. If not, this is a waste of internet space.
Compared to the half a million blogs out there of people deluded enough to think people care about their opinion?
Brillant comment Rob…….and yes it is meant to be sarcastic!
Theo’s latest attempt to buy low from the Marlins? At least with Hermida he didn’t give up anything… Richardson could have been an asset in the pen.
Wow, another big move for Theo, lol. I remember when this guy came up, they thought he was really gonna be a stud and not a dud.
FINALLY! Richardson looks pretty decent
I’ll take Miller here. About a 6’7 lefty with a live arm, looks like he’s got a solid change up and curve to go with a fastball that pumps about 95mph. Maybe Richardson will do better with a change of scenery. Almost a tit for tat trade here. Richardson 6’6 lefty, Miller 6’7, same build. Miller a bit more highly touted (6th overall pick by Det). We shall see. Lets be honest, he can’t be any worse than Oki Joki.
Miller doesn’t really ” pump out ” 95 anymore. He was hitting 90 end of last season and his control was awful as usual.
Actually he was throwing that hard cause of his delivery, trying to get it more consistent. If he just tries to let it fly he can be between 92-96. but he’s way too wild just letting it fly.
Look at his AA numbers, then look at his ML numbers, back at his AA numbers, and back to his ML numbers.
I’m not saying it’s going to pan out, I’m just saying I’d rather see a new face in our bullpen than Okajima. At least Miller’s getting a fresh start where he can come in and try to start almost from scratch. Could be good for him. Didn’t work with Hermida, but who knows about Miller.
Sure he can, he was worse than Okajima in 2010….in AA. But hey why not, nothing to lose.
Not a big trade by any means, but if would seriously consider not doing his based on what you have to give up (replacement level last arm in the pen) you are insane. Curt Young has his first project to work on.
I get your point, but I’m kinda hoping Beckett and Lackey are higher priorities. And that Young can do a better job with them than Farrell.
Maybe they are hoping Miller rediscovers himself simply by reuniting him with former college teammate Daniel Bard…
Definitely thought this was Dustin Hermanson. Hahaha
Assuming that the Sox didn’t acquire Miller just because of old hype I’d guess they’ve seen something that they think they can fix, a la Kerry Wood going to NY and getting fixed. If they can turn him around it’s certainly a worthwhile gamble.
Considering it’s coming shortly after retaining Curt Young as pitching coach it’s possible Young made the suggestion. Of course it could just be a buy low on a player who onbce had high potential.
Sweet…the Marlins unload Hermida, a big time bust, to Boston last year and now this. Thank god this guy is gone…just awful. And his stuff isn’t nearly the same as it was 3 years ago. And the worst part about him is that he’s been getting shelled in AA too. Good riddance!
yeah, his fast ball went from 97, 98 to 91 this year. i kept looking at the reading and not believing it. kept wondering if he was pitching slower to gain control.
yea maybe when he gets to fenway and feels what a baseball game should look like, you know sold out and fans actually give a damn about the team maybe he could turn out to be ok
The Marlins made out in that Miguel Cabrera trade huh?
Burke Badenhop is a beast though!
The Hopper is legit
fo sho!
hey.. I like both Boston and the Fish and why all this hate going on is uncalled for..
I thought Miller’s problem was he could not make two straight deliveries in a row the same, not as bad as Willis, but that was a problem, or is my2C on what could have been an issue.
For Richardson? A journeyman middle guy who could tag along as a AAAA guy for a few years, but with his poor control, not sure how he was going to ever keep a MLB job. It was trading a big time potential for a journeyman with options, nothing else.
hey.. I like both Boston and the Fish and why all this hate going on is uncalled for..
I thought Miller’s problem was he could not make two straight deliveries in a row the same, not as bad as Willis, but that was a problem, or is my2C on what could have been an issue.
For Richardson? A journeyman middle guy who could tag along as a AAAA guy for a few years, but with his poor control, not sure how he was going to ever keep a MLB job. It was trading a big time potential for a journeyman with options, nothing else.
They did get rid of Dontrelle…
Scales balance out a bit when you consider they paid Willis a pile of cash.
Yeah, that was a bit of irrational exuberance on Dombrowski’s part, never should have signed him to that contract so soon after the year he had in FLA.
Not really…I mean it helps obviously but that amount of money isn’t worth losing a once in a generation type hitter for busts.
Gotta love it!
Miller’s career walk rate is 5.3 per 9 innings. The 7.2 BB/9 is just last year.
miller went to college with bard and were both drafted out of that class. fun fact
Both were starters then too. Now Bard’s in the pen and I’d guess that is where Miller could end up as well.
Kinda reminds me of last years trade for Hermida, both traded in November and were highly touted prospects who failed to live up to the hype. Hopefully this one works out better for the Red Sox.
i still think the tigers should have kept him in the minors to control his pitches. he was rushed to the major leagues for no apparent reason, that’s why he’s a bust in my opinion.
Really? You’d rather not have Miguel Cabrera on your team?
I think he’s talking about the Tigers bringing him up to pitch in the pen the same year he was drafted, then having him in their rotation the next year, he never really had any time in the minors with the Tigers.
I think he’s talking about the Tigers bringing him up to pitch in the pen the same year he was drafted, then having him in their rotation the next year, he never really had any time in the minors with the Tigers.
Miller is a scout’s nightmare. This kid on paper has everything you want…excellent size and athleticism…good but not great mechanics with an excellent arm slot… he throws a + + fastball in the mid to high nines. However he is terrible out of the stretch and he has tried and failed at virtually every pitching role.
With all that being said…if John Farrell’s replacement Curt Young can get him “right” then he could be a important piece to an already talented bullpen.
Some believe he is has “talented” has David Price.
You all wish your teams had the GIANTS pitching. LOL.
Whatever Troll!
lmfao first of all when you win a world series or you’re in the playoff every or almost every year and you win a championship more than once you can post a comment about pitching like maybe if you were a phillies, or yankees, or red sox fan then you’re in that level, but giants?? seriously, this years giant team reminded me of the rockies team of 3 years ago but what happened after that?? giants priorities this year is huff and uribe, lmfao come’on man!!!
Miller, at 21, signed with Detroit on August 8, 2006 (on August 9, 2006, he banked a $3.5M bonus). On August 30, 2006, he was called up to the Tigers and pitched against the Yankees, and it has been all down hill from there for young Andrew. And, yes, he pitched as well at U of North Carolina as David Price at Vanderbilt but Price got a full year of minor league ball (and a $6M bonus) before being called up by Tampa in August, 2008. Perhaps, this explains the difference between Price’s success and Miller’s failure at the major league level. Miller was rushed into service too fast by the Detroit organization, and has never found his footing (and aren’t the Marlins noted for poor pitcher coaching?). Yep, Theo was burned by Hermida, no doubt… but twice burned? Lets hope not…
Getting burned would mean trading a valuable asset for a flyer. Last years trade didnt involve any valuable assets and neither did this trade.
Richarson was a lefty that had an over the top delivery with below average stuff and below average command. He had no chance of being above average…..miller on the other hand at least has upside
Intrepretation! That is what is wonderful about the English language. Yours, in this instance, is literal, mine was intended to be figurative, in part, to reflect all of Theo’s past experiences with the Marlins. As for Miller, it appears that Theo is going to test his new pitching coach early. And, considering how this guy was handled previously, with patience, he could be a big surprise in 2011, especially, if commits to becoming a role player, ie..long reliefer, lefty specialist or set up guy..
Its a shame, i really feel someday that Miller could be successful…be it in the bullpen or starting. I would like to see him become a power lefty reliever. its a shame the marlins couldnt keep him cause he was out of options, and still needs lots of work. I dont know how he will fare well in the AL East, obviously an amazing division, but i hope he can get it all worked out. Anyone know anything about that Maybin kid? Mike Rabelo? Brett Sinkbeil? anyone? at least the Hopper is great…
I like this move. Worst comes to worst he fails in the pen and we dump him.
I think that this move is odd because Richardson has a bright future. I think he could be a long reliever or a specialist. I don’t know much about Miller other than he’s now been traded twice..
Not that Richardson was going to be a superstar but I’m thinking Miller won’t be either…
Not bad. Just another “low risk high reward” type move by Theo.
Sox have nothing to lose-Richardson is a lefty who can’t get lefties out-Miller can’t be any worse!
LOL that Tigers-Marlins really went down hill. Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis for Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin, Mike Rabelo and Eulogio De La Cruz.