It is time to let this Detroit Tiger walk away in free agency after 2024 season

The Tigers made some less-than-notable decisions for their pitching staff this offseason. They signed starters Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty as well as relievers Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin. Chafin and Flaherty were both dealt at the trade deadline, and Maeda was moved to the bullpen due to his downward spiral. As for Miller, he's remained in his bullpen role throughout the season, and has been one of the more frustrating players.

All year, many Tigers fans have wanted to exclaim how they were right about Miller being washed up. His prime was back in the mid-2010s. He was injury-prone and lacked the prestige to deserve this type of contract at this point in his career; yet, every time fans went to say something, he had a lights-out performance out of the bullpen. He would close a game with a 98 MPH high heater and save the day. Then for the next two appearances, he would give up two hits, walk a batter, and let in a run before returning to his successful form and shutting down offenses.

It feels like Miller was never able to find a groove this season. Even this month, as the Tigers soar into the playoff chase, he has given up a run in every other outing (and nearly blew the game on Sept. 17). The closest he came to a real stretch of good ball was in August, when he allowed a run in three of his 12 outings. This isn't to say that he has been the worst person in the bullpen. Joey Wentz, Kenta Maeda, and Mason Englert have battled for that title throughout the year.

As the Tigers go through this season and into the next, they must seek consistency. A young team is usually streaky. This is why contenders with young rosters bring in veterans for that level of consistency throughout the team. Miller is a good veteran presence to teach the young kids the art of navigating a 162-game season, but his inconsistency would not bode well in the playoffs. This team needs to have reliable arms late in games, and Miller has been anything but that.

The Detroit Tigers should let Shelby Miller walk as his contract expires

The flashiness of a righty throwing 95-98 MPH is great, but the results need to be there too. The right move would be to allow him to walk and target someone in free agency this offseason. Miller has a club option at the end of this season, but there are better pitchers set to hit the open market, such as Jose Leclerc, Joe Kelly, and Tanner Scott.

The team will have some work to do this offseason on the bullpen, but they don't all need to be star names. A true and consistent closer would be a big boost. The ability to settle into a role next year would be great, as the Tigers have mostly used many players in different situations this year. If Jason Foley and Tyler Holton could settle into setup roles, the bullpen would get even better.

All we're saying is that the structure of the bullpen shouldn't be an afterthought for the Tigers when the offseason arrives. And if it means parting with Miller, then so be it.