The Marlins are reportedly interested in Wade Miley Photo Courtesy of Joe Camporeale of USA TODAY Sports
It’s safe to say that the 2014 Arizona Diamondbacks rotation was filled with underperformance, injuries, and tons of question marks.
With so much uncertainty surrounding the rotation going into 2015, it has always been thought that Wade Miley and Josh Collmenter are locks to be at the top of the rotation to provide stability.
Apparently that might not be the case. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald is reporting that the Marlins are interested in Wade Miley as they try to acquire a veteran starter to upgrade their rotation.
This is what Jackson wrote in his Sunday Buzz Column:
“The Marlins, seeking a veteran starter, also have discussed trading Nathan Eovaldi or a quality pitching prospect to Arizona for left-hander Wade Miley (38-35, 3.79 in 3 1/2 seasons).”
Miley’s availability comes as a bit of surprise. Besides Collmenter, he was arguably the Dbacks best starter last season. He has also been the Snakes most durable starter.
It should be noted that the Marlins were interested in acquiring him at the trade deadline this past July, but nothing ever came of it.
The 2014 season marked his second straight season topping 200 innings. He is one of the only starters the Diamondbacks can rely on to take the ball every fifth day.
Last season was a down year for the 28 year old left hander. In 201 1/3 innings he finished with a 4.34 era and a 183/75 K/BB ratio.
However he has experienced overall success in the majors, including finishing 2nd in the 2012 N.L. ROY voting to Bryce Harper. His durability is valuable and can’t be overlooked.
Eovaldi also took a step back in 2014. His era was a run higher at 4.37 compared to 2013, and his hits per nine innings rate of 10.1 was the highest of his career.
Eovaldi is four years younger than Miley, which could be valuable long term, but both are entering their first year of arbitration eligibility, and both are under team control till 2017. Eovaldi also isn’t as durable as Miley. He has never reached the 200 inning mark, and he has an injury history.
I honestly don’t see these negotiations getting anywhere especially if it’s a straight swap of Eovaldi for Miley. The Diamondbacks would have either pitcher for the same amount of time, and Miley is the more reliable pitcher.
Unless a deal includes Tyler Kolek, Jose Fernandez, or Andrew Heaney I don’t see a deal happening, and even then I don’t see the Dbacks giving up their most reliable pitcher.