Former Guardians utility player becomes free agent after being DFA'd by Rockies

A player that Cleveland Guardians fans are quite familiar with has just become a free agent. Veteran utility player Owen Miller has decided to become a free agent being designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies. Miller rejected the assignment to Triple-A Albuquerque and will instead try to catch on with a new organization.

On one hand, Miller getting a chance to land with a team that does not have the worst record in baseball like Colorado (8-40) is a potentially exciting prospect for the versatile 28-year-old. On the other, what does it say about Miller that he was DFA'd in favor of another player on the worst team in the sport?

With his ability to play all over the field (Miller has played every position except center field and catcher in his five-year career), the veteran utility man should draw interest from some teams in need of help at multiple positions. Miller is not going to be an everyday difference-maker by any means but could prove to be a useful player off of the bench in the right situation.

Miller broke into the majors with the Cleveland Guardians during the 2021 season, having been acquired alongside Josh Naylor, Gabriel Arias, Austin Hedges, Cal Quantrill, and Joey Cantillo in exchange for Mike Clevinger, Greg Allen, and Matt Waldron at the trade deadline the year before. His first year in Cleveland was relatively forgettable, but his second season saw him accumulate 26 doubles in 130 games for a Guardians team that found their way into the postseason.

Cleveland would trade Miller to Milwaukee after the 2022 season, where he spent the next seasons with the Brewers organization. Miller posted similar numbers in 2023 for the Brewers (17 doubles in 90 games), but that would not carry over into the few appearances he made for Milwaukee last season, appearing in 14 games before being designated for assignment. Colorado would acquire Miller from Milwaukee this past offseason, with the Rockies also DFA'ing him after only nine appearances for his now-former ballclub.