[MLBNetwork] Should Mason Miller be used as a starting pitcher? “It’s something he wants to do.”

10 comments

1. If he wants to do it he deserves the opportunity. If he can be nasty as a starter it’s more valuable than as a reliever.

2. if he does make the transition, who’s our closer? Jerry seems a bit too shaky in high stakes situations

3. I strongly feel trying to convert him was always the plan when they traded for him. No matter how good a reliever he can be, it was a really high price to pay for just a reliever.

   People will say oh but they were just preparing for Suarez to leave. And Miller taking over closer is a good backup plan. But with the bullpen depth already in the organization, they didn’t need to do that. Plenty of closer candidates are already in house.

   Now with the team sale looming and financial limitations, they is a lot of incentive to find in house candidates to help with the lack of starting pitching. Converting someone like Miller to a SP carries a lot of upside. Probably a lot more upside than calling up a prospect too early, or whatever cheap free agents they try to pick up.

   Plus the pitching depth is so shallow we will need those guys too. But finding a true ace would be really nice, and Miller might be the best candidate. Can’t trust Pivetta will have another career year, or that Musgrove will be really good immediately after a long injury.

   Rotation looks significantly better with Miller theoretically leading it, and those other guys only being asked to be support staff.

4. 0.69 ERA with Pads?

   

5. I don’t think he would last. Same shit as Musgrove and King he would through his arm out.

6. I’d truly rather roll with our killer bullpen than convert him.

7. If he wants to do it, let him do it, regardless. It should be Miller’s choice tbh.

   I’m sure he’s tempted now more than ever after that Cease deal, and the hypothetical money being thrown around with Imai. But wait until Suarez (at 35 on opening day!) and Diaz sign.

   My guess is the hot $$$ will chase quality closers too, and closers/RP’s age better than starters. It’s not unreasonable to think a team wouldn’t lock Miller into a multi year 25 million a year deal rn if he were a UFA, as a guaranteed closer only. Who knows what Miller leans towards, but if it’s me, I want to go into 2030 free agency with 65 innings a year on my arm not 150, and I don’t want to take on a theoretically higher risk of TJ or some other injury.

   Now enter Morejon; this is his walk year, he’s a free agent next year, and he’s established his value as a one inning lefty shut down high leverage guy. He stands to make a lot more next year if he proves in this one year his success as a reliever converts to SP. Morejon already established a solid floor in relief that will pay $$$. He almost has a free option to test the starting pitcher waters. So if I had to guess, Morejon starts next year not Miller. But if I had to predict, I’d guess better than 50% both stay in the pen.

8. I get the value in him being a starter and the fact that he wants to do it. But I do worry about his arm health if he is a starter. Too many innings may be a recipe for TJ.

9. Miller would be nice as a starter but our bullpen won’t be nearly as good. I guess starting is more valuable, so whatever he wants really.

10. Sign him for life. I don’t think he’ll take the risk currently with his low salary