The Pirates had been linked to Andrew Miller, along with several other left-handed relievers, leading up to the deadline. Miller was just dealt to the Orioles, according to Jerry Crasnick.
Andrew Miller is being traded to #orioles, says source.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 31, 2014
The return was pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez, who was the number three prospect in Baltimore’s system, according to Baseball America. His pre-season grade was a 55 upside, and medium risk. That’s the same grade that Nick Kingham got in the Pirates’ system. However, it seems Rodriguez’s value has slipped some. Ben Badler had the following update on the right-hander.
Eduardo Rodriguez: Solid prospect, down year, back-end starter potential. Not much to pick from in Baltimore's farm system.
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) July 31, 2014
JJ Cooper says he has a chance to bounce back and be a middle of the rotation starter if his stuff returns.
Eduardo Rodriguez's stuff hasn't been as crisp this year as last….If he bounces back to '13 form, he's a possible middle-rotation starter.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) July 31, 2014
Because of this change, and because Kingham has possibly increased his stock, I’d say a similar return for the Pirates would be Adrian Sampson. That’s a pitcher who has back of the rotation stuff, with a chance to improve and be a middle of the rotation guy. Miller is only under control for two months, so that would be a pretty big return.
It will be interesting to see if the lefty reliever market opens up in the next 45 minutes now that Miller, the top option, is off the board.