DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have signed righthanded pitcher Shelby Miller to a one-year contract worth $3 million with a club option for the 2025 season worth $4.25 million. If the club option is not exercised, Miller is entitled to a $250,000 buyout.
Miller’s contract includes performance bonuses in 2024 and 2025 that can increase his base salary by up to $1.175 million for games pitched and games finished in each season: $100,000 each for 50, 55 and 60 games pitched, $125,000 for 65 games pitched, $150,000 for 70 games pitched and $150,000 each for 40, 45, 50 and 55 games finished. Miller’s 2025 club option also includes escalators that can increase his 2025 base salary by up to $1.4 million for games pitched and games finished in 2024: $100,000 each for 50, 55 and 60 games pitched, $150,000 each for 65 and 70 games pitched and $200,000 each for 40, 45, 50 and 55 games finished.
Miller, 33, put together an impressive 2023 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, appearing in 36 games, including one start, and posting a 3-0 record with one save, a 1.71 ERA (42.0IP/8ER) and 42 strikeouts. He finished the season with a 0.90 WHIP and limited opponents to a .135 batting average. Miller also made one postseason appearance for the Dodgers, throwing 2.0 scoreless innings with one hit allowed and three strikeouts in Game 1 of the National League Division Series vs. Arizona. Among National League relievers with at least 40.0 innings pitched last season, Miller ranked second with a 0.90 WHIP and .131 opponent batting average, while he was sixth with a 1.76 ERA.
Miller was selected to the National League All-Star Team in 2015 with Atlanta, starting 33 games for the Braves and posting a 3.02 ERA (205.1IP/69ER) and 171 strikeouts. He ranked tied for 10th among National League pitchers with 21 quality starts, while he was 11th with a 3.02 ERA and .238 opponent batting average and 12th with a .663 opponent OPS. Miller had a pair of no-hit bids that season, throwing 8.2 no-hit innings on May 17 at Miami and 7.0 hitless innings on August 16 vs. Arizona, becoming the first Braves pitcher to take two no-hitters through 7.0 innings in a season in Atlanta history.
Miller has pitched in parts of 11 Major League seasons, posting a 41-58 career record with a 4.08 ERA (820.0IP/372ER) and 686 strikeouts. He finished third in voting for the National League Rookie of the Year in 2013 and played in the MLB All-Star Futures Game in 2010 and 2011.
A native of Brownwood, TX, Miller was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 19th overall selection in the 2009 MLB Draft.
As a corresponding move for the signing of Miller, catcher Donny Sands has been designated for assignment. The Tigers 40-man roster is now at 40.
