The Detroit Tigers have officially placed Shelby Miller on unconditional release waivers as of Sunday. While Miller was previously removed from the team’s 40-man roster, this move simply accelerates his upcoming free agency, which would have taken place this offseason regardless. By releasing him now, Miller is able to become a free agent slightly ahead of schedule.
Miller, a 33-year-old right-handed pitcher, had a somewhat inconsistent 2024 season. He finished the year with a 4.53 earned run average (ERA), indicating that while he had some solid performances, he also struggled at times. However, his WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was notably impressive at 0.97, showing that he was effective at limiting baserunners throughout his appearances. Over the course of 55.2 innings pitched, Miller managed to rack up 49 strikeouts, further demonstrating his ability to generate outs through strikeouts.
Despite these solid stats, Miller was unable to secure a long-term place in the Tigers’ plans. The decision to release him early could stem from a desire to give him a chance to explore other opportunities sooner, while also freeing up a roster spot for the Tigers to potentially evaluate other players.
This isn’t the first time Miller has faced challenges in maintaining a consistent spot on a major league roster. Throughout his career, the veteran pitcher has dealt with ups and downs, including injuries and stints in the minor leagues, which have impacted his long-term stability in the majors. Once considered one of the top pitching prospects in the game, Miller’s career has taken several unexpected turns since his early days with the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. His early career success didn’t fully translate into sustained performance over the years.
Now entering free agency, Miller will have the opportunity to sign with another team ahead of the 2024 season. While his age and recent performance may present challenges in securing a guaranteed role, his experience and flashes of effectiveness, as seen in his strikeout numbers and low WHIP, could attract teams in need of pitching depth. The next step in his career remains to be seen, but Miller will soon have the chance to start fresh with a new organization.