The Los Angeles Dodgers announced the signing of utility infielder Brad Miller to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
The 29-year-old has played in parts of six Major League seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers. He is a career .239/.313/.409 hitter with 75 home runs in 680 games.
In 75 games between the Rays and Brewers in 2018, Miller hit .248/.311/.413 with 13 doubles, seven home runs and 29 RBI. Miller’s best season came with the Rays in 2016 when he batted .243/.304/.482 with career-highs in home runs (30), doubles (29), RBI (83) and runs scored (71).
The Dodgers are a team that utilizes their depth and versatility perhaps more than any other club in baseball, so a player like Miller fits in perfectly as he can play anywhere on the infield.
Given the Dodgers’ current Major League options, Miller would have to do something drastic this spring or a major injury would have to happen for him to have a chance to make the Opening Day roster.
Miller will more likely begin the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City where he can prove that he can regain his 2016 form. Though, considering how much the Dodgers rely on their depth, there is a very good chance that Miller is called up to the big leagues at some point in the 2019 season.
Instead of going out and signing a big-name free agent, the Dodgers have decided to go with internal options at second base. As of now, Kiké Hernandez and Chris Taylor are battling for playing time at that position although Miller’s name can now be added to that list.
