Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Andrew Miller pitches during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.Bob DeChiara
The Yankees have made their first big moves to reshape for 2015, agreeing to a $36-million, four-year contract with reliever Andrew Miller and obtaining shortstop Didi Gregorius from Arizona as part of a three-team trade that sent right-hander Shane Greene to Detroit.
Miller's acquisition Friday gives the Yankees a bit of insurance in case they don't re-sign closer David Robertson, who is a free agent. A 29-year-old left-hander, Miller held opponents to a .153 average this year while going 5-5 with a 2.02 ERA for Boston and Baltimore. He joins a bullpen that has hard-throwing right-hander Dellin Betances, who finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
Gregorius, a 24-year-old left-handed hitter, becomes the favourite to take over at shortstop following the retirement of Yankees captain Derek Jeter. He hit .226 with six homers and 27 RBIs in 80 games last season.