Andrew Miller retired but he’s far from an All-Time Guardians Great

Former Cleveland Guardians reliever Andrew Miller has retired.

Andrew Miller, formerly of the Cleveland Guardians, has retired from the Major Leagues at the age of 36. The middle reliever played for the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and the St. Louis Cardinals during his career aside from the Guardians. He threw 829 innings, 4.09 ERA, 979 strikeouts, and went 55-55.

His career is defined as a near-dominant and successful middle reliever, switching to that role after struggling as a starter.

His claim to fame in Cleveland came during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, where he was lights out, with a combined ERA of 1.50 over that two seasons. He was pivotal in helping the Guardians get to the World Series in 2016, even winning the ALDS MVP.

He had a very good two-year sprint with the Guardians. Does that make him a Top 30 player in franchise history? According to Zach Meisel of The Athletic, it does.

But we disagree.

Andrew Miller was important for a season, but not for a career

When you say something like, “Andrew Miller is a Top 30 franchise player”, you need to actually have the stats and longevity to back that up. Miller had a great 2016. However, it was just one of two years where he had a sub 2.00 ERA in his career. Sure, both years were with Cleveland, but largely Miller was a very average reliever for most of his career and a very bad starter for the rest of it.

It’s going to take more than two good years of pitching to warrant a Top 30 spot in anyone else’s  Top 30. His last year in Cleveland he was one of the worst relievers, already burned out due to his age. Prior to his stint in Cleveland, he had two good years in Boston and then Baltimore but that’s it. His prime was four seasons.

Only two were in Cleveland.

Recency bias has gotten the better of Mr. Meisel, who is very good at what he does. Yet, with the history of the Guardians, from Shane Bieber to CC Sabathia to Richie Sexton and Jim Thome, there are more than 30 names that if you were presented with them, you would take over Miller.

Miller is no bum by any means but historically, there are too many names to ignore when talking about a Top 30 list. Top 100, sure I can see Miller cracking the back half. Top 30? With the talent, this team has had historically?

Hard pass.

Yet, if you want to sell me on him being more of a folk hero for his 2016 playoff run, sure. He’s quite popular but lacks the longevity to be an All-Timer.