The Cleveland Indians announced the signing of Brad Miller to a Major League contract. The 29-year-old signed a Minor League deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the end of February but exercised his opt-out clause last Thursday.
Miller’s decision seemingly stemmed from a belief or awareness he was not going to make the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. By electing for free agency instead of biding his time with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Miller cemented Alex Verdugo’s place at the Major League level to begin the season.
Miller hit .385/.429/.615 with two home runs and three RBI in 12 Cactus League games with the Dodgers. He’s in the Indians’ lineup on Sunday, starting at second base and batting seventh.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was familiar with and intrigued by Miller after previously seen him with the Seattle Mariners. Miller has spent parts of six seasons in the Majors with the Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers.
Miller is a lifetime .239/.313/.409 batter with 75 home runs in 680 career games. He batted a combined .248/.311/.413 with 13 doubles, seven home runs and 29 RBI over 75 games between the Rays and Brewers last season.
Miller’s best season came with Tampa Bay in 2016, when he hit .243/.304/.482 while setting career highs in doubles (29), home runs (30), RBI (83) and runs scored (71).
