The Main League Baseball Gamers Affiliation introduced in the present day that retired left-hander Andrew Miller has been employed by the union to a brand new position with the title of particular assistant, strategic initiatives.
“All through his enjoying 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 expertise to translate nicely to this new position as he brings his personal distinctive perspective to the Gamers Affiliation.”
Miller, 39, had a 16-year profession within the large leagues, starting as a starter. His outcomes there weren’t superb however a transfer to the bullpen suited him nicely and he spent a few 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 aid innings.
Throughout that profession, he grew to become energetic with the MLBPA. He was a member of the union’s govt subcommittee in the course of the 2021-22 lockout, regardless that 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 bought fortunate within the sense that I bought elected to be the group rep in Miami. As soon as that occurs, you begin to meet individuals and make connections and see the interior workings and respect how vital the union is — what they’ll do for gamers even on issues lots of people most likely consider as minor points. They imply loads to the person participant, and to have the ability to assist guys by means of that helped me perceive that aspect of the sport. When you get invested and get to know the individuals, it’s virtually like a second group that you simply’re part of.”
Miller was with the Marlins from 2008 to 2010 and he performed by means of the 2021 season. In the present day’s announcement from the PA certainly highlights that he spent greater than a decade in energetic 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 latest offseason noticed many golf equipment cut back spending whereas pointing to decrease TV revenues because the RSN mannequin collapses. This was seemingly a consider many free brokers lingering on the open market nicely into the brand new 12 months 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 lots for Miller and the union to debate with the league as the following CBA finally comes into focus.
