What is Brad Mills' story?

[Oxy]

Who is this guy and why is he dominating?

[Outlander]

I kind of follow the Jays and he was a fringe prospect there for a number of years and was drafted a couple of times by them but wanted to stay in school. When he had his chances in the bigs he didn't do much. He has a fastball in the upper 80's, decent curveball and changeup with an odd delivery. Could be a cheap lefty in the pen for some team down the road. Don't really know if he has options left but if Gorz and Duke leave and Smith gets a shot in the rotation the Brewers might be looking for a lefty so maybe could have an opportunity next spring training?

 

Edit: Saw he has a June 15th opt out date, so with the year he is having might get a shot with another MLB team this season still.

[Mass Haas]

Mills can opt out of his contract on June 15th.

 

Since there's no room for yet another LHP in Milwaukee, it would make sense for the Brewers to identify a team willing to place a red-hot Mills on their big league staff right now and facilitate a trade to get something in return.

 

Why would a team give up something for him?

 

That would allow the acquiring team to not have to compete with other potential suitors, if Mills simply walked away and hit the open market on June 15th.

 

At this point, it would be very surprising to see Mills still with the Brewers organization after the 15th, in my opinion.

[fondybrewfan]

I agree; there are some pretty terrible teams that would love to give him a shot in their rotation or bullpen. It seems almost a lock that if he opted out he would find an MLB job really quickly. There is just no way he plays in Milwaukee this year; no spot in the rotation or bullpen for him. Great story and I hope he can have a nice career.

[And That]

If Mills has any options left, and looking at his playing career so far I'm not sure if he does or not, the Brewers could free up a spot on the 40-man, purchase his contract and option him to Nashville, right? Or is there a rule against that?

 

Not sure it's worth the hassle, but you never know.

[Mass Haas]

If Mills has any options left, and looking at his playing career so far I'm not sure if he does or not, the Brewers could free up a spot on the 40-man, purchase his contract and option him to Nashville, right? Or is there a rule against that?

 

Not sure it's worth the hassle, but you never know.

 

Mills was optioned in the 2010, 2011, and 2012 seasons (Rotoworld).

 

Sorry - nice try, though.

[igor67]

I was really surprised with all of the noise they were making during his rehab that the Brewers didn't reset Gorzellany's rehab time and at least try Mills out in the bullpen for a little bit. Even if it was just to trade him a few nice bullpen appearances could have made him quite a bit more valuable (when compared to minimal cash).

[JohnBriggs12]

I was really surprised with all of the noise they were making during his rehab that the Brewers didn't reset Gorzellany's rehab time and at least try Mills out in the bullpen for a little bit. Even if it was just to trade him a few nice bullpen appearances could have made him quite a bit more valuable (when compared to minimal cash).

 

I think you are overlooking the elephant in the room with the 12 something ERA.

[DHonks]

well, we don't know how much cash the Brewers got. the JS blog just said that even if the Brewers got $1, they'd come out ahead of what they could have gotten.

[Patrick425]

well, we don't know how much cash the Brewers got. the JS blog just said that even if the Brewers got $1, they'd come out ahead of what they could have gotten.

 

 

Please explain this to me. I know he's 29..but he had a 1.8 Era this year. Like someone else stated ...seems like he could have possibly at least provided some bullpen depth at some point. I'm sure there is some explanation involving terms like "super 2" or something that I'll never understand.

[DHonks]

Pretty simple. Signed as a minor league free agent, Mills had an opt-out clause that could be used if any team was to agree to immediately add him to their 25-man roster. Given the A's want him now, he could have opted out for free. Instead the Brewers likely got something for him. It's just based on the typical deal given to a minor league free agent

[JohnBriggs12]

Pretty simple. Signed as a minor league free agent, Mills had an opt-out clause that could be used if any team was to agree to immediately add him to their 25-man roster. Given the A's want him now, he could have opted out for free. Instead the Brewers likely got something for him. It's just based on the typical deal given to a minor league free agent

 

In my opinion it was bad asset management on the part of the Brewers. With Estrada struggling, Mills could have been brought up to make a few starts, and then been either kept or traded for something of actual value based on how he did. For a team doing everything to hold on to what appears a dubious prospect in Wang who's 3-4 years away, it just doesn't make much sense.

[djoctagone]

Pretty simple. Signed as a minor league free agent, Mills had an opt-out clause that could be used if any team was to agree to immediately add him to their 25-man roster. Given the A's want him now, he could have opted out for free. Instead the Brewers likely got something for him. It's just based on the typical deal given to a minor league free agent

it's reported here that mills is reporting to triple-a sacramento. it's possible that oakland wants to wait until he's fully rested before purchasing his contract.

[Patrick425]

Pretty simple. Signed as a minor league free agent, Mills had an opt-out clause that could be used if any team was to agree to immediately add him to their 25-man roster. Given the A's want him now, he could have opted out for free. Instead the Brewers likely got something for him. It's just based on the typical deal given to a minor league free agent

 

Thanks. Ok, I understand that. What kills me is how you guys know this information! Is there some web site that details the contracts of all minor leaguers?

[DHonks]

Patrick, it was mentioned in one of two places--jsonline or mlb.com.

 

and johnbriggs, do you actually think a few (hopefully) decent starts in the majors would have increased Mills' trade value?

[TigerUppercut]

Pretty simple. Signed as a minor league free agent, Mills had an opt-out clause that could be used if any team was to agree to immediately add him to their 25-man roster. Given the A's want him now, he could have opted out for free. Instead the Brewers likely got something for him. It's just based on the typical deal given to a minor league free agent

 

In my opinion it was bad asset management on the part of the Brewers. With Estrada struggling, Mills could have been brought up to make a few starts, and then been either kept or traded for something of actual value based on how he did. For a team doing everything to hold on to what appears a dubious prospect in Wang who's 3-4 years away, it just doesn't make much sense.

 

So, I'd be curious to hear the long list of past examples of major league GM's bringing a previously failed guy up to take over in the rotation for an established big league starter, then flipping him for something of value. How about the list of 1st place teams doing this? If this is an established practice, then it's bad asset management as you say. It just feels like conjecture (at best) to me, though.

[homer]

DFA'd today to clear room for Hammel.

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/07/4223168/as-designate-lefty-brad-mills.html

[igor67]

Somebody would surely be interested in picking him up at this point, he had a solid showing with the As.

[dacbrewers]

Apparently Toronto picked him up and he pitched last night...one word...Disaster!

[torts]

Mills has been DFA'd by Toronto today