St. Louis Cardinals: Shelby Miller could be dealt again

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Almost exactly one year later, a former St. Louis Cardinals’ starting pitcher and top prospect could be traded again.

Today is a bit of a slow news day (so is this offseason), but recently it has been reported that Shelby Miller could potentially be dealt again, this time for the “not tanking, but selling” Atlanta Braves. Last season, the St. Louis Cardinals sent former top prospect Shelby Miller and minor league pitcher Tyrell Jenkins to the Braves for Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden. Now, one year later we could see Jenkins and Walden be the only players left on the two teams.

The Braves have come out and claimed that they are not tanking, and that anyone who thinks so is wrong. However, the Braves have traded Andrelton Simmons, Jason Heyward, Cameron Maybin, Craig Kimbrel, Justin Upton, Melvin Upton Jr., and more that I probably cannot think of. Confusingly the team came out and vehemently denied any possibility that Freddie Freeman be traded. Yet here we sit discussing the potential trade of a frontline starting pitcher in Miller. 

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The team reportedly wants young controllable pitching, yet is potentially not interested in holding on to Shelby. I know the potential package they could receive is likely to be large, but Miller IMO is still very much a good pitcher and his only 25. According to Fangraphs, he lowered his SIERA by almost half a run this season and had a very low ERA – of 78, both very good indicators of Miller likely becoming a more confident and comfortable starter, despite the 6-17 record.

For a team trying to get better and younger, this move doesn’t make any sense. As a Cardinals’ fan, it makes me appreciate the Cardinals being in contention every season. Hopefully, Miller and his family do not have to go through being traded again, otherwise the Braves may regret doing so.

Next: Randal Grichuk vs. Stephen Piscotty

What are your thoughts, should the Braves be shopping Miller?