UPDATE: No scenario seems to be likely right now.
Andrew miller and dodgers, i'm told, has no legs. Nyy seeks very good SP in package.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 10, 2015
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UPDATE: The Astros acquired Ken Giles from the Phillies and the Dodgers are reportedly moving on from Aroldis Chapman and could focus their efforts on Miller.
Dodgers have moved on from chapman and are weighing Andrew miller among other pitchers and also hitters
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 10, 2015
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In the wake of the alleged domestic violence incident surrounding Aroldis Chapman, the Los Angeles Dodgers have shifted their attention on the trade market as rumors indicate they're interested in New York Yankees closer Andrew Miller. The Houston Astros are also said to be talking to the Yanks about the left-hander.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports was the first to report on the Dodgers' and Astos' interest while George A. King III of the New York Post noted last night that the Yankees and Astros could be discussing a deal that involves Miller and Houston's young right-hander Vincent Velasquez based on how both clubs could match up in a trade.
Here's the latest buzz on Miller:
The #Yankees could benefit most by Chapman situation,now talking to #Astros and #Dodgers about closer Andrew Miller. https://t.co/0GbPESoLPR
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 9, 2015
IMO: Andrew Miller seemingly a much better fit for LAD than Chapman. Dominant, under contract 3 more years, doesn't care if he's the closer.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 8, 2015
If the #Dodgers trade for Andrew Miller, the question becomes, "Why didn't you just sign him last year when it didn't cost prospects?"
— Mark Saxon (@markasaxon) December 9, 2015
The Dodgers attempted to trade for Chapman, but it was soon discovered the left-hander was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute back in October, which could affect his status for the 2016 season. The deal is now off and now teams are expected to trade for him until the situation is resolved.
On the other hand, Houston has long been in the market for a closer and they heavily pursued Miller last offseason (they reportedly offered him more money than the Yankees did).
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has said time and time again he's open to anything regarding trades and Miller's name has popped up in a number of rumors. New York can afford to part ways with the left-hander since Dellin Betances seems to be ready to take over the closer role, but the Yanks would be just fine keeping both of them if nothing were to work out.
Los Angeles is also reportedly in talks with the Miami Marlins about acquiring starter Jose Fernandez, so if those talks progress it's hard to believe they'd also be able to make a trade for Miller. It'll probably have to be one or the other.
If the Yankees are indeed engaged in the Dodgers, it's likely they're asking about prospect starter Julio Urias due to Cashman's preference to acquire young starting pitching.
As for the Astros, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle says the team is "drawing interest" in some young players at the Winter Meetings, including Velasquez, Carlos Gomez and George Springer. Velasquez makes sense for the Yankees, but unless they were to trade one of their outfielders, it's unlikely they'd be inquiring about Gomez or Springer.
Miller has three years and $27 million remaining on his current contract and would be a good fit for either the Dodgers or Astros. If the Yankees are serious about moving the left-hander it'll probably come down to which team can offer the better young starting pitching.
