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Miller wouldn't have blamed Yankees for trading him

Tommy Gilligan / USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees rewarded Andrew Miller's strong first season in the Bronx by going out and trading for Aroldis Chapman in December.

Manager Joe Girardi announced last month that Chapman, a four-time All-Star, will take over as closer, likely pushing Miller to the set-up man role and giving the Yankees the most feared bullpen trio in the majors when factoring in Dellin Betances.

Like many, Miller said he was surprised by the move, though he acknowledged there's no hard feelings between he and the front office.

"I'm not the general manager, that's Brian Cashman's job," Miller told YES Network. "That's for the front office to decide. I told them all along I came to New York to be a winner and hopefully that's how I'm remembered as a Yankee at the end of the day."

Cashman made both Betances and Miller aware following the acquisition of Chapman that neither player would be dealt. Miller, however, said he would have understood had the team wished to trade him.

"Everything I've heard from the Yankees, and they seemed to have backed it up, it would have to be something pretty extreme for them to move me," Miller said. "And I don't blame them. If they feel they can make the team better, that's their prerogative and nothing I can do to stop it."

Miller broke into the league as a starter after the Detroit Tigers selected him with the sixth pick of the 2006 draft but after an unsuccessful run, the 30-year-old revived his career in the pen. He said after pitching in almost every type of role he's not worried how he'll be used this upcoming season, and reiterated his desire to win.

"At this point in my career I'm not building any sort of resume on saves," Miller said. "I'm not chasing any numbers or records. I've seen teams win and I've seen how much fun that is. That will be the most rewarding thing if we win games and accomplish our goals."

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