Tampa Bay Rays designate Brad Miller for assignment

The Tampa Bay Rays have designated first baseman, Brad Miller, for assignment as the corresponding move for the promotion of top prospect, Jake Bauers.

Brad Miller came to the Rays in November of 2015 in a six player deal that also brought over Logan Morrison from the Seattle Mariners. In 2016, Miller provided a tremendous display of power as he clobbered 30 home runs. However, he struggled defensively and would relinquish his spot at short to more capable hands and transitioned to first base.

The following season, injuries would hamper him all year as his power number disappeared and he became more of a defensive liability. Nonetheless, the Rays kept him over Tim Beckham at the 2017 trade deadline and against decided to keep him when the non-tender deadline arrived. Miller was granted a contract that paid him $4.5M for the 2018 season, an amount that the Rays will now have to eat all of.

Injuries again have hurt him thus far in 2018, although he has hit above average as he has slashed .256/.322/.429 with 5 HR over 48 games, putting up 107 wRC+.

The Rays will now have seven days to either trade, release, or outright Brad Miller off of their roster.