Yankees reliever Andrew Miller resurrected his career with the Red Sox when Theo Epstein was their general manager, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Cubs president at the forefront of any trade talks for him before the Aug. 1 deadline.
Miller, the 6-foot-7 left-hander who can close or setup, went into the second half with a 1.37 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. He will be one of the more coveted relievers available if the Yankees unload, which depends on whether they can stay in the American League playoff hunt.
"The goal of our team is to play well enough that all the stuff goes away," Miller said. "We're capable of that. We can shut down those rumors."
Miller is in the second year of a four-year, $36 million deal, so he wouldn't come cheap. He basically got closer money when he signed with the Yankees and wound up with 36 saves in 2015.
But Miller had no problem returning to the setup role when they acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Reds.
Some closers' egos are too bloated to go back to their old roles, but Miller is old school and had no problem doing what was best for the Yankees.
"I really enjoyed (closing), and maybe that's something that doesn't come across," he said. "I had a lot of fun closing, and I'm really proud of the way I pitched last year. Getting that last out is kind of a special feeling.
"At the same time, I was compensated by the Yankees to pitch out of the bullpen, and I told them that all along. I wanted to go to a place that was going to win over a place to just take a job as a closer. They have held up their end of the bargain. It's up to me _ I'm an employee of theirs _ to hold up my end of the bargain."
He also knows "you don't have to be a closer anymore to be known as somebody who has impacted the game.
"We've seen guys become stars who have pitched the eighth inning," Miller. "(The Royals') Wade Davis is as good as anybody, and this is his first year as closer."
If the Cubs did get Miller, he would be more than willing to play the outfield, as Travis Wood and Pedro Strop did in an extra-inning game at Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago.
"I'm not surprised that (manager) Joe Maddon did it," Miller said. "It seems like he's at the center of stuff like that all the time. But it's pretty cool and shows how athletic pitchers can be, so it's good to have relievers out there. I think I can probably field OK.
"The pressure of a game situation might stress me out a little bit, but as long as I don't have to have any at-bats, I think I'll be all right."
