The Main League Baseball Gamers Affiliation introduced right now that retired left-hander Andrew Miller has been employed by the union to a brand new function with the title of particular assistant, strategic initiatives.
“All through his taking part in profession, Andrew Miller was revered throughout the sport for his dedication, his management and his skill to attach along with his friends no matter age, service time or place,” MLBPA govt director Tony Clark says in a press launch from the union. “We count on his expertise and vary of abilities to translate effectively to this new function as he brings his personal distinctive perspective to the Gamers Affiliation.”
Miller, 39, had a 16-year profession within the massive leagues, starting as a starter. His outcomes there weren’t wonderful however a transfer to the bullpen suited him effectively and he spent a couple of decade as a dominant reliever. He threw 395 innings as a starter with a 5.70 earned run common however had a tidy 2.95 ERA in 504 reduction innings.
Throughout that profession, he grew to become lively with the MLBPA. He was a member of the union’s govt subcommittee in the course of the 2021-22 lockout, although he would announce his retirement simply two weeks after a brand new collective bargaining settlement was reached. Shortly thereafter, he defined his involvement to the PA’s Jerry Crasnick.
“I acquired fortunate within the sense that I acquired elected to be the staff rep in Miami. As soon as that occurs, you begin to meet folks and make connections and see the internal workings and respect how essential the union is — what they will do for gamers even on issues lots of people in all probability consider as minor points. They imply loads to the person participant, and to have the ability to assist guys via that helped me perceive that facet of the sport. When you get invested and get to know the folks, it’s nearly like a second staff that you just’re part of.”
Miller was with the Marlins from 2008 to 2010 and he performed via the 2021 season. Right this moment’s announcement from the PA certainly highlights that he spent greater than a decade in lively management roles with the union.
The league and the union are more likely to butt heads once more when the present CBA expires after the 2026 marketing campaign. The newest offseason noticed many golf equipment scale back spending whereas pointing to decrease TV revenues because the RSN mannequin collapses. This was seemingly a think about many free brokers lingering on the open market effectively into the brand new yr and finally settling for offers under projections.
The frustration appeared to boil over right into a some union discord, although issues have seemed to be settled for the previous few months. Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated he doesn’t plan to hunt one other time period after his contract expires in January of 2029. Manfred has expressed a want to pivot away from the RSN previous right into a streaming future and get the ball rolling on growth earlier than he leaves, so there needs to be loads for Miller and the union to debate with the league as the following CBA finally comes into focus.
