ST. LOUIS (AP) — When healthy
Johnny Pesky Jersey , Andrew Miller has been one of baseball’s top relievers. The St. Louis Cardinals are banking on a return to form.Miller agreed to a $25
million, two-year deal with St. Louis that includes a club option and
performance bonuses that could make it worth $36 million over three seasons.The
6-foot-7 left-hander has been dominant for much of this decade, but he went just
2-4 with a 4.24 ERA in 37 games with Cleveland last season while dealing with
hamstring, knee and shoulder issues.“One of our stated goals this offseason was
to improve our bullpen,” said John Mozeliak, the Cardinals’ president of
baseball operations.“Andrew Miller is one of the premier relievers in the major
league
http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-carl-yastrzemski-jersey , and his addition certainly strengthens our bullpen.”Miller gets $11 million next
year and $11.5 million in 2020, and the deal includes a $12 million team option
for 2021 with a $2.5 million buyout, The option would become guaranteed if
Miller has 110 games as a pitcher in 2019 and ’20 combined.He can earn $500,000
annually in performance bonuses based on games pitched: $100,000 each for 40,
45
Ted Williams Jersey , 50, 55 and 60. He would get a $1 million assignment bonus each time he is traded.Cleveland acquired Miller in a trade during the 2016
season, and manager Terry Francona used him as a multi-inning weapon out of the
bullpen. He was the MVP of the AL Championship Series that year, and Cleveland
made it all the way to Game 7 of the World Series before losing to the Chicago
Cubs. Miller appeared in 10 games that postseason, going 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA, 30
strikeouts and five walks.Miller has been exclusively a reliever since
2012
Jim Rice Jersey , and from 2014-17, he never posted an ERA higher than 2.04. That all changed this year, when Miller couldn’t prevent Cleveland’s bullpen
from declining drastically. Two prominent relievers for the Indians — Miller and
Cody Allen — became free agents this offseason, although the AL Central
champions still have Brad Hand, who was acquired in a July trade with San
Diego.The Cardinals went 88-74 this year but missed the postseason. They already
made waves this month by trading for slugger Paul Goldschmidt.The St. Louis
bullpen had plenty of issues last season. Luke Gregerson hurt his hamstring in
spring training and posted a 7.11 ERA in 17 games. The Cardinals signed Greg
Holland at the beginning of the season, but he too had an ERA over 7.00 when he
was released at the beginning of August.Bud Norris had 28 saves for St. Louis
last season
http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-nomar-garciaparra-jersey , but he is now a free agent. Lefty Brett Cecil had a 6.89 ERA in 40
appearances.Miller began his MLB career in 2006 with Detroit after being drafted
by the Tigers in the first round. He was later dealt to the Marlins in the deal
that sent Miguel Cabrera to Detroit.Since making 12 starts for Boston in 2011,
Miller has been used only in relief. He was traded to Baltimore in 2014, then
signed with the New York Yankees before the 2015 season. The Indians acquired
him from New York in 2016.In the past three seasons, Miller had 16 saves, 263
strikeouts and a 2.00 ERA in 171 innings.The Cardinals designated right-hander
Ryan Meisinger for assignment to make room for Miller. CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs
reliever Pedro Strop will miss the rest of the regular season with a left
hamstring strain, leaving the NL Central leaders with major questions at the
back end of their bullpen.The team announced the injury after Strop underwent an
MRI on Friday.Strop has been Chicago’s closer since Brandon Morrow was placed on
the disabled list on July 18. He has 11 saves in 13 opportunities since then and
13 saves on the season. He’s 6-1 with a 2.26 ERA over 59 2/3 innings in 60
appearances.Unless the Cubs can make a trade
Christian Vazquez Jersey , manager Joe Maddon said before Friday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds that he envisions using a closer-by-committee
approach, calling on veterans including Jesse Chavez and Steve Cishek to finish
games.Strop hurt his hamstring while running to first base on a double-play
grounder in the 10th inning of the Cubs’ 4-3 win at Washington on Thursday. It
was just the second at-bat of the season for the 33-year-old right-hander.Strop
pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings against the Nationals to earn the win. He was
set to pitch the bottom the 10th after the Cubs took the lead and was allowed to
bat with the bases loaded and one out.Morrow, sidelined with right biceps
inflammation, expects to throw a simulated game on Saturday.
