Veteran starter Wade Miley is declining his end of a $10MM mutual option with the Brewers, reports Adam McCalvy of MLB.com (X link). It isn’t known if Milwaukee had accepted its end. In either event, he’ll receive a $1MM buyout and become a free agent.
Miley, 37 later this month, turned in solid results over 23 starts during his second stint with the Brew Crew. Signed to a $4.5MM guarantee last offseason, he worked 120 1/3 innings of 3.14 ERA ball. As is often the case with the soft-tossing southpaw, that success came in spite of a modest strikeout rate. While Miley punched out 16.1% of opposing hitters, he kept the ball on the ground at a solid 46.3% clip.
Despite the lack of missed bats, Miley had posted a sub-4.00 ERA in three straight seasons. He was limited by injury to only 37 innings in 2022. The year before that, he worked 163 frames of 3.37 ERA ball for the Reds. When healthy, he turns in solid results. The veteran had a pair of injured list stints this year on account of a lat strain and elbow discomfort but took the ball every fifth day from August on.
Milwaukee has one remaining option decision, a borderline call on outfielder Mark Canha. The club holds an $11.5MM provision with a $2MM buyout. They’ll need to make that call by Monday afternoon.
At age 37, it’s pretty bold to turn down a $10M one year salary but I’m guessing Miley knew Milwaukee wasn’t going to pick the option up so he opted out. It may be difficult for him to secure a 1 year offer of $9M or more this offseason, especially with his injury history, not to mention his age.
Won’t be too hard. Most teams are starving for starters and are going to overpay.
I don’t think he’ll have any trouble getting more than $9 million for a one year contract.
I think Miley will get a two year 18 million deal if he wants it.
Definitely could see the Dodgers offer one year and ten million.
When he is not injured, he is really good – not elite or ace – but really good.
I’d be perfectly fine with giving him something like 2yrs, 25m after his performance the last few years. He seems to be getting better with age. Reminds me a bit of Jamie Moyer.
Picking up Canha’s option would probably be a smart move. He started slow last season, but still finished with a 108 OPS+ and had 2.2 WAR in only 500 plate appearances. I know Milwaukee runs on a tight budget but that’s solid value for the extra $9.5 million it’ll take to retain him.
Agreed. Canha seems like a no-brainer to me.
Agree on Canha.
Agree on Canha. He actually did better in milwaukee than he did with the Mets. Brewers have a crowded outfield, but I’d honestly use him at 1B, where they’re starved for production.
Canha really helped the Brewers down the stretch. The guy can get on base and has some decent pop. Much will depend upon how the team views its young outfielders’ readiness for everyday roles.
I can see a kolton Wong repeat-pick up the option and ship him elsewhere for a similar performing, and salaried player.
Only in this case he’ll be decent elsewhere, and whoever they get back will be a waste of a roster spot.
Hey Wade, call the Mets they are paying double the going rate for players/staff. You might get 20 mil from Stearns
Seems like he’s been around for like 20 years. Puts up results just good enough to keep landing short term contracts. I’m thinking he lands in KC, SD, or a second tour in BAL depending on their ACTUAL budget situation which remains shrouded in mystery.
SD would be a good spot for Miley. They’ll most likely lose Lugo and are uncertain about Darvish and Musgrave’s ability to stay healthy.
Miley is more moxie than flash, but as a #4 or #5 SP he’ll provide value if he can make 25 or more starts.
It’s very easy to decline your end the option when you don’t know who your manager is going to be come spring…. Thanks a lot counsell just keep dragging it out much like Rodgers did while with the packers
I would be surprised if that went into his decision. More likely he believes he can do better and still gets the one million dollar buyout.
I see Counsell point of view, he has to take all the interviews when the team loses, take all the responsibility and guys like Jesse Winker make 8 million to hit 1 homerun, stink in field , reside on DL, Yellich makes 26 mil, How about Cains last year and JB Bradleys huge contract for zero results, overpaid non starting players, one after another and you just take a salary a fraction of that, but all the responsibility.
If you think Counsell is coming back to brew town I have some ocean front land in South Dakota for you. Ship has sailed. If you valued your job and employer would you be interviewing elsewhere? His agent already knows the market. Either they didn’t want to pay him or he wanted out. The PR move by the team is to say we wanted him and he signed elsewhere. Not that they were too cheap or ownership didn’t want him. If Shildt doesn’t get the Padres job Milwaukee should be calling. He’s a rear kicker that gets results.
I would bring him back
Miley should have too the 9 mill
Home is where you make it.
Miley came in like a wrecking ball
Mickey Mouse comment
Here comes the Pirates calling for this guy. Rich Hill 2.0
Honestly this has Ben Cherington written all over it. Veteran lefty to add to the rotation? He’ll join Hill, Quintana, Anderson, and Holland as the other older LHSP he signed in each off-season.
Yup. You kind of expect it but hope for better.
If they were to sign Miley, I wouldn’t be upset, as long as he wasn’t the only player they signed/traded for. He is a very consistently solid veteran.
The Padres could use some rotation help. I would hope the Padres are interested and make him a fair offer with a team/mutual option.
Angels will sign him on a one year contract with a team option, and he’ll have like a 5.28 era
Yep, the Angels probably lead the majors in bad FA signings. What’s one more? Although I think Miley could serve them well so long as their expectations aren’t any higher up the food chain than 4th or 5th starting pitcher.
Wow, I just looked at Wades BBREF page and i was kinda surprised at how much of a solid pitcher he has been since 2018! He’s had well above average numbers in every season besides a 14 inning fluke in 2020. If he can stay healthy he should make a really nice #4 starter for some team.
The pitching marker gets deeper and deeper and deeper. Top end to back end and bullpen arms too. Never seen so many arms available in one offseason. It seems especially mid level guys are everywhere either by contract expiration or declined ballooned team options or low end player options