The Detroit Tigers made a surprising run to the postseason last year and have built on that success in 2025. The Tigers entered Monday with the best record in baseball at 46-27 and have achieved that mark with a large group of players that helped Detroit one year ago.
While the Tigers didn’t lose much to free agency, there was one reliever that got away. While he’s performing well with his new team, he may be wishing he stayed in Detroit as he fights for a postseason berth in a crowded National League playoff picture.
Shelby Miller is a Rare Bright Spot for Diamondbacks After Leaving Detroit
Shelby Miller was the lone free agent departure from last year’s team after serving in a relief role last season. While the right-hander made a career-high 51 appearances, he didn’t see much success, going 6-8 with a 4.53 ERA, and left for a one-year, $1 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
There are parts of Miller’s move that have been beneficial. The right-hander is having a rebound season, going 3-1 with a 1.57 ERA, and recently jumped into the closer role for Arizona. He’s also seeing a huge jump in chase rate, going from 26.9% last season to 36.1% and become one of the top bullpen arms for the Diamondbacks.
This is all good but it’s not as great for what’s going on around Miller. The Diamondbacks have been plagued by injuries this season, with starters Corbin Burnes and Jordan Montgomery both winding up on the shelf. It left Diamondbacks 3.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the final Wild Card spot in the National League, but also outside of the upper echelon of contenders like the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
It’s understandable if the Tigers were the party that initiated the split, as Miller’s performance didn’t warrant a return. But at $1 million, Miller could have been a key piece of the bullpen on the best team in baseball.
Miller could still be saved by a contender searching for bullpen help, but it’s hard to imagine he’s not looking at where the Tigers are now and wondering what could have been.