The Boston Red Sox sent left handed reliever Andrew Miller to the Baltimore Orioles yesterday for their third best prospect, 21 year old starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez.
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Baltimore’s most glaring need seemed to be a bullpen arm, and they certainly addressed that with the acquisition of the 29 year old Miller. Miller, once a prized starting pitching prospect, has a 2.34 ERA and 69 strikeouts in just 42.1 innings pitched. That high strikeout rate coupled with the good ERA and WHIP numbers make him fantasy relevant in all formats.
That said, his overall fantasy value is unlikely to change unless the Orioles lose confidence in closer Zach Britton. Britton has a 1.65ERA and 21 saves, so the chances of that happening are practically zero.
The piece of this deal that has the experts talking is Rodriguez. The Orioles are taking a huge gamble giving up a highly rated 21 year old prospect for a relief pitcher. Rodriguez has struggled some at AA Bowie so far this year, compiling a 4.79 ERA. He missed a month of the season with a knee injury.
Still, someone that is ranked only behind uber-prospects Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey in the Orioles’ system seems like a high price to pay.
The full price of this trade for the Orioles likely will not be known until at least 2016, as it is unlikely that Rodriguez would make the majors before then unless he ascends quickly through the ranks with the Red Sox. Even then, it won’t matter if Miller helps the Orioles make a deep playoff run.
With the Rays and Red Sox selling, and the Blue Jays staying put, the Orioles may be in the drivers’ seat in the East, but the rumblings are that the Yankees are far from done, despite the non-waiver deadline passing.
Stay tuned to FantasyCPR throughout the day for analysis on all of the deadline deals and what they mean fantasy wise!