Andrew Miller’s dominance with the Baltimore Orioles stings a bit more for the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers were one of 14 teams that inquired about Miller at the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline before the Boston Red Sox shipped the left-hander to Baltimore, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski was convinced Miller would pack his bags for the Motor City.
“We thought we had him,” Dombrowski recently told Sherman.
The Red Sox, of course, ended up dealing Miller to the Orioles in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez. The trade apparently was consummated at the 11th hour, as Dombrowski insists the Tigers were on the verge of landing the 29-year-old southpaw.
“We were disappointed because we offered what (the Red Sox) asked for,” Dombrowski said. “Normally when you do that, you get the player. They felt they could do better. That is their prerogative.”
It’s unclear what exactly the Tigers offered the Red Sox, but Boston officials reportedly told Dombrowski they needed to check one more avenue, leading to the trade with Baltimore. The Red Sox might soon be thankful it accepted the Orioles’ offer, too, as Rodriguez flourished with Double-A Portland after the deal, cementing himself as one of Boston’s most intriguing pitching prospects.
Miller, who was impressive with the Red Sox, has been lights out with the O’s, setting himself up beautifully for free agency this offseason. The Tigers were victimized by Miller’s excellence during the American League Division Series, which probably didn’t sit well with Dombrowski, who is left to wonder what could have been.
Photo via Joy R. Absalon/USA TODAY Sports Images
