Cleveland Indians: Expecting greatness in Andrew Miller’s contract year

Cleveland Indians fans are expecting more great things from Andrew Miller in 2018 and are hoping it isn’t his final season in an Indians uniform.

Trading for Andrew Miller may have gone down as one of the greatest deals in Cleveland Indians history if the team had finished off the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 World Series.

We all know how that went, but Miller still has the chance to help this team win a title in 2018.

It is no secret that both Miller and Cody Allen are in their final year of their respective contracts. It doesn’t seem like the team will be able to keep both players, but perhaps the money can be pooled together to keep one.

That is a problem for later as the Indians still have the 2018 season to focus on. Miller returns after his first full year in Cleveland in which he made 57 appearances, logging 62.2 innings with a 1.44 ERA. He did deal with some minor injuries, but was able to return and appear in four of the five ALDS games.

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Unfortunately, he was charged with a loss in Game 3 after allowing a home run to Greg Bird. To be fair, the Indians lost 1-0 as the offense began its hibernation.

Miller remains the fireman of the bullpen and Terry Francona has utilized him perfectly the last two seasons. Last season gave fans a glimpse of how Miller can be used in a full season, and if anything he may have been overworked at times.

There isn’t too much to say about the left-hander in terms of predictions because he has set himself apart as one of the elite relievers in all of baseball.

Only paying him $9 million this year is a steal for the Indians, but that price tag may double once he hits the open market. Unless the team signs him to an extension during the season, although I doubt that will happen.

• Top 25 in 2017: No. 7, Edwin Encarnacion
• Top 25 in 2017: No. 8, Trevor Bauer
• Top 25 in 2017: No. 9, Cody Allen

Bryan Shaw isn’t here to set up Miller and Allen, but that shouldn’t result in a role change for Miller. He may appear earlier in some games as he has done in the past, proving why he is one of the best in the game.

Next: Indians Roundtable: Remaining moves to make

There will be plenty of doom surrounding Miller’s contract situation, but all of that can become obsolete if the Indians finally win it all.