Rays DFA Brad Miller as they continue shedding salary

In order to make room on the major-league roster for prospect Jake Bauers, the Tampa Bay Rays designated infielder Brad Miller for assignment Thursday. The 28-year-old is on a one-year deal and will earn $4.5 million over the course of 2018 - the fifth-highest salary of any player on the Rays.

While Miller has made his career as a utility infielder, the Rays used him primarily at first base in 2018. He made 34 of his 36 starts at first, while the other two were at second. Over 174 plate appearances in 48 games, Miller owns a .256/.322/.429 slash line with five home runs.

This year, he increasingly lost playing time to C.J. Cron, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels prior to the season. Cron makes roughly half of Miller's salary and is posting a .260/.323/.468 slash line with 13 home runs in 260 plate appearances.

This offseason will be Miller's final year of arbitration eligibility. His designation allows the small-market Rays to continue shedding salary months after trading away franchise cornerstone Evan Longoria as well as pitcher Jake Odorizzi and outfielder Corey Dickerson. The only remaining Rays earning more than Miller are Wilson Ramos, Chris Archer, Adeiny Hechavarria, and Kevin Kiermaier.

In Miller's place, outfield and first base prospect Bauers will make his major-league debut. Ranked as the No. 55 prospect in baseball - and second-best first base prospect - by MLB Pipeline, the 22-year-old is posting a .784 OPS with five homers and 10 stolen bases at Triple-A Durham this season.