Milwaukee Brewers: Wade Miley signs Minor League deal

Just when the competition for the fifth starter’s job couldn’t get any more muddled, the Milwaukee Brewers have added another name to the mix. Left-hander Wade Miley is coming to Arizona on a Minor League contract.

The Milwaukee Brewers wanted to add another lefty to their pitching staff, but it’s hard to believe that Wade Miley is who they had in mind. He’s not exactly Alex Cobb or Jake Arrieta. Miley makes Brent Suter look like a fantastic option. Does he really have a shot to break camp in the rotation?

Is this contract guaranteed?

The deal Miley signed only becomes guaranteed if he breaks camp on the Major League roster. He’ll earn $2.5 million for 2018 should he win a rotation spot. That number goes up to $5.7 million if he makes 29 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Is there any chance Miley makes 29 starts?

Total in 2018 or for the Milwaukee Brewers? He could rack up that many if he spends time in Colorado Springs, but he’s unlikely to start 29 games for the Brewers unless there’s a rash of injuries…like all of them.

How did Miley fare in 2017?

Well, he’s not on a Minor League deal because he’s awesome. In 2017, he made 32 starts for the Baltimore Orioles, and very few went well. Miley threw 157 1/3 innings and posted a 5.61 ERA. He struck out 142, walked 93, and was tagged for 25 homers.

When was the last time Miley was good?

He posted a 4.1 WAR in 2012. He also managed a 2.6 WAR in 2015. If that’s a trend, he should post a 1.1 WAR in 2018.

Why did the Brewers add this guy?

This is a move that has zero risk. If Miley has a fantastic spring, he earns the fifth starter’s job at a very affordable rate for a 31-year old lefty. If he’s awful, he’s either released or exiled to Colorado Springs.

Next: Can Aaron Wilkerson win a rotation spot?

This is a depth signing, pure and simple. Miley is another name working to earn the last job available in the Milwaukee Brewers rotation. He’s not the splashy move the Brewers have tried to make all off season, but he’s a solid veteran who comes to the team without any risk. The Brewers are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with Miley, but they have four other names to fall back on if they don’t. This isn’t exciting, but it is a solid move.