Miley sees Reds as playoff contender
Left-hander seeking to extend personal postseason streak.
GOODYEAR, ARIZ. — The Reds showed over the offseason they were hungry for the playoffs.
It’s the reason 33-year-old pitcher Wade Miley chose them in free agency.
The Reds signed the left-handed starter to a two-year, $15 million dollar deal in December.
That was the beginning of a busy and expensive offseason for the Reds, who spent $165 million to sign Miley, infielder Mike Moustakas, outfielders Shogo Akiyama and Nick Castellanos and relief pitcher Pedro Strop.
“They definitely weren’t done,” Miley said Friday. “It’s exciting to see. This is a talented group right here and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Not only does he bring his experienced left arm to town but he brings a winning edge to the group. Miley was 14-6 with a 3.98 ERA for the American League-champion Astros last season. He also pitched in the playoffs with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018.
“He was a good player on good teams but most of what I know about him and how he competes is from D.J. (pitching coach Derek Johnson),” Reds manager David
Bell said.
Johnson was the Brewers’ pitching coach in 2018.
“I tried to stay in contact with D.J.,” Miley said. “It is a lot easier to come in because I know some of them. After competing and battling with them over the past nine years, I’m glad to be among them. Actually, getting to know them is the fun part.”
Miley is eager to extend his playoff streak and was among the factors that led to his decision to sign with Cincinnati.
“I want to win,” Miley said. “I’ve always liked the National League better. Derek Johnson was a big part of it. Just playing against these guys. This is a good ball club. I’m looking at what they’ve done. The past couple years playing them, they haven’t reached their ultimate goal but the talent’s there. I’m excited about being with them to take that next step.
“This is like I felt like in Milwaukee,” he added. “Outside of our clubhouse it was unexpected, then you go out and show the world or other teams in baseball you’re for real. I think the talent across baseball is so similar, there are a few intangibles that you can’t put a finger on it. You have to find it.”
Miley, the first-round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008 out of Southeastern Louisiana University, thinks the Reds have the ingredients for a playoff run.
“I think the talent’s there,” he said. “I was watching Trevor Bauer and Sonny Gray go at it. And there are the younger guys trying to figure it out, taking the next steps. I like to watch Sonny pitch. I like the way he goes about it.”