Michael Hurta of Home Plate In Space offers some quick opinions on the signing of Wade Miller.
Due to a frayed rotator cuff, Wade Miller was basically forced to move from the city that drafted him past the 20th round, but gave him a good chance. He was forced to don new socks, and the ones he and his agent chose were different, but the Sox were still red.
Wade must really like something about Boston, though. Either that, or his agent didn’t want to work too hard. His agent had already brought Matt Mantei to Boston, and despite at least 15 teams calling after the non-tendering, Wade would go quickly to the defending champions for at least one year.
This could be the biggest steal of the offseason.
The youngster has a career 3.87 ERA, which unfortunately will only be hurt in the immediate recovery of an injury and a move to a more offensive oriented American Leauge. If the past year showed anything, Wade Miller will probably try to hang around Curt Schilling and learn, as well.
Despite good reports, it is doubtful Wade will be any top notch type of pitcher BoSox fans are hoping for this year, but he should be decent enough for a bottom of the rotation starter.
I would do my best, if I were Theo Epstein, to keep him around if on the mound he shows the slightests signs of improvement. If he can maintain healthiness, he will be a coveted pitcher in the free agent market, for a certainty; especially when pitching is such a need in the majors right now.
I know I have not said much, but then again what much is there to say, I wonder. Wade Miller is a basic, solid guy. He is a good guy; a nice guy. Whether he will be what the Sox need to defend their title, that I cannot give too big of a guess on. At any rate, he shouldn’t hurt any chances. Its too bad the Astros couldn’t keep him.
It’s too bad for the Astro fans, but very good for Red Sox fans. Wade Miller should provide solid innings and adds to an extremely deep rotation. The guaranteed contracts of Miller, David Wells, John Halama, and Matt Clement for 2005 is only $500,000 more than what we offered a yearly salary to for Pedro Martinez. I think we can all agree we are better off with Miller, Wells, Halama, and Clement than if we just had Pedro. The Baseball Savant says that the Red Sox’s 2005 rotation is better than it’s 2004 predecessor, and you would be hard pressed to disagree. Happy holidays!
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