The Milwaukee Brewers signed left-handed starting pitcher Wade Miley last offseason. His deal guaranteed him one year with the Brew Crew and there was a mutual option attached to the 2024 season. A few weeks ago Wade Miley opted out of his half of the $10.00 MM option, received a $1.00 MM buyout, and at 37 years old he became a free agent for the third consecutive offseason.
Based on Wade Miley’s performance in 2023 the odds are in his favor to receive a pay increase this off-season. From this standpoint declining his portion of the mutual option makes sense. This will force Milwaukee to pay more in order to retain him or he can sign elsewhere for a team that is willing to spend.
According to Bob Nightengale there is one particular team that is expected to pursue a veteran starting pitcher this offseason and he linked Wade Miley to them. That team also happens to be a rival to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Milwaukee Brewers division rival Cincinnati Reds linked to starting pitcher Wade Miley.
Throughout his 13 year career Wade Miley has had two different stints with the Milwaukee Brewers and he previously spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds as well. In Cincinnati he reunited with former Brewers pitching coach Derek Johnson and according to Bob Nightengale’s report they could potentially team up again.
During the 2023 season the Reds struggled to keep their starting pitchers healthy. One way to better prepare for this in 2024, in which their very young core is expected to be competitive, would be to mix in a veteran starting pitcher or two. Given their history with Wade Miley it should not be surprising to see the two linked in rumors this off-season.
One big question is if Cincinnati will be willing to pay Wade Miley. They recently let Joey Votto hit the open market by declining his $20.00 MM option and previously shed a bunch of pay roll before going with a youth movement.
Related: 1 Milwaukee Brewers household name is endorsing the Brew Crew to pursue Joey Votto.
More teams outside of the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds figure to be in on Wade Miley this off-season. It will be interesting to see where he lands.
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