Coming off Zack Greinke agreeing to a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers saw their reported next option — Jeff Samardzjia — reach an agreement with the San Francisco Giants.
Los Angeles responded by reportedly striking a deal with Hisashi Iwakuma, but remain in the market for another starting pitcher.
They’ve naturally been linked to several names — both free agents and those under contract — with Shelby Miller among the candidates the Dodgers are said to have interest in.
The Atlanta Braves reportedly asked the Dodgers for Joc Pederson in a trade, which Los Angeles rejected.
Multiple media reports indicated late Monday night the Braves and Chicago Cubs were nearing a trade centered around swapping Javier Baez and Miller; it was later dispelled.
Atlanta is however continuing to take calls on Miller, with the Dodgers one of the teams involved, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
Miller remains hot commodity. #Braves fielding calls. But still in infancy talk stages mainly. #Dbacks #Cubs #Dodgers #Redsox most involved
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2015
By early Tuesday morning, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cubs weren’t in the picture for Miller, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Correction: #Cubs, #Dbacks not currently in mix for #Braves’ Miller. #Dodgers have talked to ATL. Where they stand is unclear.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2015
Miller, 25, went 6-17 last season, which was largely a product of poor run support. He finished with a 3.02 ERA, 124 ERA+, 3.45 FIP and 1.25 WHIP in 33 starts.
Miller was 5-5 with a 2.38 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 18 first-half starts, and was Atlanta’s lone representation at the 2015 MLB All-Star Game. He has three more seasons before being eligible for free agency.