Blue Jays: Brad Miller would be an intriguing upgrade option before July 31

The Texas Rangers utility-man Brad Miller would be a valuable asset for the Blue Jays before the July 31 MLB trade deadline.

The Toronto Blue Jays are very familiar with Brad Miller. Manager Charlie Montoyo has seen his work first hand when he was a coach with the Tampa Bay Rays, and Miller brings a lot of things to the table that the Blue Jays are very big on as an organization at the moment.

Let’s start with the fact that he hits left-handed and does have some power in his bat. Miller hit a career high 30 home runs in 2016 as a member of those Tampa Bay Rays. He hit 20 as recently as last year playing with the Philadelphia Phillies. Miller also has valuable American League East experience, and with the schedule balance not occurring until 2023, the Blue Jays could benefit from more players with that experience as they know it is still a pressure cooker.

Miller also brings versatility to the table. His days at shortstop may be behind him, but he can still play other key spots. Miller appeared at first base , second base, right field and left field in 2021. In 2022, Miller has played third base and the corner outfield spots as well. Defensively Miller’s best positions seem to be at first base and in the outfield. At this moment you can say that Cavan Biggio’s best positions are at first base and in the outfield.

So why get Miller if you have Biggio?

Biggio has struggled over the past season and change. I don’t know if it’s due to the injuries he has sustained or the emergence of the steady Santiago Espinal, but you can clearly see that Cavan is not the same guy as he was in 2020. The Blue Jays need someone with a track record and who is inexpensive that can fill the versatility role that is needed on this team. The Blue Jays had interest in Brad Miller, as per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi this past off-season, but nothing materialized.

Miller signed a deal for two years and 10 million with the Texas Rangers. I would believe that if the Jays were to move on from Biggio , the asking price for Miller wouldn’t be astronomical. Leo Jimenez and Trent Thornton? Maybe Anthony Kay? The Blue Jays have a truck load of pitching depth that they could use for the upcoming trade deadline.

To me Miller checks the boxes of a player the Blue Jays could benefit from acquiring.

Get ready for the ride to the trade deadline , it will be here before you know it.