Rays plan to use newly acquired Miller as shortstop

The Tampa Bay Rays have a plan for newly acquired Brad Miller, and it's not as a super utility player.

Tampa will give Miller a shot at his natural position of shortstop when the team hits spring training.

"I think the two teams lined up well and after talking and being welcomed to the organization, they said, 'We view you as a shortstop, we're going to let you go out there and compete,'" Miller told reporters. "That's all you can ask for. It was music to my ears. It aligned exactly with what I feel is my place on the field and my abilities. I'm just excited, honestly, and really excited to get it going."

Miller, 26, was traded to the Rays, along with Logan Morrison and Danny Farquhar in a six-player deal involving the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.

The versatile Miller played the majority of his MLB career at shortstop, but was used at six different positions for the Mariners last season. Although he accepted the responsibilities of moving around so much, he's happy to be with a team that has faith in him at one of the game's most important positions.

"Obviously in this game you want to give yourself every opportunity and do whatever is asked of you. But yeah, I'm a shortstop," Miller said. "I know that's where I want to be on the field. I want to continue to get better there and to improve. But 100 percent, I would want to settle in and play shortstop. It's what I've always done."

Miller hit .258/.329/.402 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs last season.