GGOD AS OLD

Mets, Yank could be suitors for healthy, dominant Miller

CARLSBAD, Calif. — One of the most important questions of this offseason is just how healthy Andrew Miller is.

One of his representatives, Mark Rodgers, said fully and that they have the documentation to show that from a full workup done by Dr. David Altchek. That physician should matter because he is the Mets team doctor. And two key elements for which the Mets are searching this offseason are improvements to their bullpen and culture.

When right, Miller has been among the majors’ best relievers and his reputation is as a winner and stellar teammate, as exemplified by his willingness to take on any role out of the bullpen before that became more acceptable in the last year or two.

“Altcheck saw absolutely nothing that would keep him from being the old Andrew Miller,” Rodgers said Mon- day at the general managers’ meetings.

Now, there are two different meanings of the “old Andrew Miller.” The vintage form from 2012-17 might have been the best reliever in the majors, producing a 2.01 ERA and averaging 14.1 strikeouts per nine innings while being a multi-inning force in the playoffs, delivering a 1.10 ERA and a .471 OPS against in 20 games.

But in 2018 the heavy workload was possibly felt as Miller went to the disabled list on three occasions for knee, hamstring and shoulder injuries, costing him three months and limiting him to 34 ¹/3 innings. He managed a 4.24 ERA and walked 4.2 per nine innings against 11.9 strikeouts. In the playoffs against the Astros, the lefty faced five batters, walked three, gave up a hit and had a blown save.

Rodgers said Miller, who will turn 34 in May, had a cascade of injuries stemming from patellar tendinitis in his right knee, and that Miller believes he has found a regimen that alleviates the knee pain.

If the industry believes the same, Miller should have many suitors because of the kind of pitcher and person he has been in the game. The Yankees also want to address their bullpen and Brian Cashman said the July 2016 deal that send Miller to the Indians was the toughest of his career because he has such regard for Miller. Rodgers said his client will prioritize winning, which is usually just words, but remember that after the 2014 season, Miller spurned more money from the Astros to sign a four-year, $36 million pact with the Yankees because he thought Houston was further away from winning (which turned out not to be correct).