Mariners official: We're not looking to trade Brad Miller

Though Brad Miller's name continues to surface in trade rumors, one Seattle Mariners official insisted Saturday the club isn't looking to move the 25-year-old shortstop.

"Look, there's all sorts of speculation (about Miller)," one club official told Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune, "and it's easy to see why. The guy's an athlete, and everybody - and I mean everybody - thinks he’s going to hit.

"That's why lots of teams ask about him. But understand this: We're not looking to trade him. I'm not saying it won't happen, but it's a lot less likely than some people seem to think."

Miller, a second-round pick in the 2011 draft, started 105 games at shortstop last season and will likely contend with Chris Taylor this spring for the club's everyday job.

"I think we're in a unique situation," manager Lloyd McClendon said, "because we have two major-league starting shortstops. We'll let them play in spring training and see which is best. Open the season and go from there."

Miller struggled mightily through the first half of the season but thrived after All-Star break, managing a .794 OPS with 12 extra-base hits over his final 42 games in 2014. Taylor, who made his major-league debut in July, is considered a superior defensive player but managed just eight extra-base hits - all of them, doubles - through 47 games with the Mariners.