Mike Miller to Make MLB Debut With Red Sox

Red Sox Will Bridge Infield Gap On Bench With Mike Miller Until Brock Holt Arrives

This afternoon, the Boston Red Sox called up Infielder Mike Miller to the Major League roster. Miller– capable of playing 2nd, 3rd, or Shortstop– was playing for the Red Sox Triple-A Minor League affiliate, Pawtucket.

Mike Miller was drafted in the 9th round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Red Sox out of Cal. Poly San Luis Obispo. Miller, 26, has never made an appearance at the MLB level; physically, hitting from the right side of the plate at 5’9″ 170, he compares to Dustin Pedroia.

Miller’s best position defensively is 2B, where he has a .991 Fielding % over the course of his minor league career. And, over 1,200 at-bats in the Red Sox minor league system, Miller hit .264/.324/.341 with 60 doubles, 8 HR, 91 RBI and 54 stolen bases. Hopefully, Miller will be able to replicate similar success in Boston.

There are several implications to the Mike Miller call-up. First, the addition of Miller to the Red Sox roster suggests that Brock Holt is not prepared to play; Holt has been on the disabled list since early May with concussion-related symptoms.

And, in a corresponding move, the Red Sox sent pitcher William Cuevas to the minors. Cuevas was called up before this weekend to help the Sox’ exhausted bullpen; he has pitched well in limited appearances at the major league level (3.60 ERA over 5.0 IP). This move is significant because it could predicate the acquisition of additional pitcher not currently on the 40 man roster. Although this may be a stretch: the Red Sox are pitching deprived, perhaps they are sending Cuevas down to Triple-A so that Miller will be DFA’d when Brock Holt returns. Thus, the Red Sox can protect Cuevas’ and clear a roster spot even with the return of Brock Holt. Could Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski have a trick up his sleeve?

After last night’s loss to the Texas Rangers, Dombrowski addressed the Red Sox trade rumors and need to improve the roster. Dombrowski said:

"“I can tell you I’ve done a great deal of work, and there’s five clubs that are willing to talk [about trades.] It’s the same five clubs who have been at it all year. So, it’s a little early for that type of situation. We’ll see what happens”"

If Brock Holt heals over the next few weeks, could the dynamics of the trade market change over that time so that Dombrowski would be tempted to make a move? And, if the market does develop, will the asking price for pitching be too high? Dombrowski has already made it clear (and I agree) that 2B Yoan Moncada, SS, Xander Bogaerts, CF Jackie Bradley Jr., and RF Mookie Betts are untouchable.

Next: 'Viz-able Hope? Red Sox Scout Braves Arms

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