Report: Padres sign Brad Miller to minor-league deal
The San Diego Padres signed veteran infielder Brad Miller to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league camp, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Miller is expected to be in the running for a bench spot on manager Mike Shildt's Opening Day roster, according to Cassavell. He could fill a need for the Padres as a versatile depth piece who has some pop from the left side of the plate. The team has been searching for a left-handed bench bat since trading Matt Carpenter earlier in the offseason.
Outfielder Cal Mitchell, another non-roster invitee, and former first-round pick Jackson Merrill are likely Miller's primary competition for a roster spot. Other bench candidates include Matthew Batten and Eguy Rosario, who are on the 40-man roster.
Miller, 34, spent the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers but appeared in just 108 games over that span because of injuries. However, he was productive during his most recent full season in 2021, when he posted a .774 OPS with 20 homers over 140 games for the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit a career-best 30 round-trippers in 2016.
Miller's superior splits against right-handed pitching and defensive versatility could allow him to be deployed at multiple spots depending on matchups. He's played at least 20 games at every position but pitcher and catcher during his career.
In 11 big-league seasons with seven teams, Miller owns a .236/.314/.416 slash line with 123 home runs and 405 RBIs.