Report: Phillies have shown interest in bringing back Brad Miller

The final piece to the Philadelphia Phillies’ offseason puzzle is a new bench bat, and the Phillies could be getting on very soon.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Dave Dombrowski mentioned that the Phillies could find “a different type player” for the bench at this time of the offseason. Their internal options include Adam Haseley, Roman Quinn, Andrew Knapp, C.J. Chatham, Mickey Moniak, and Nick Maton. Phils could use an upgrade as they lack a power bat that could hit in high leverage situations. So it makes sense that the Phillies have been in touch with former Phillie Brad Miller, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Miller, 31, was originally acquired by the Phillies from the New York Yankees for cash considerations in June of 2019. He slashed .263/.331./.610 with 12 home runs and 21 RBIs in 118 at-bats with the Phillies. His power numbers received a boost in the final weeks of the season as he recorded three multi-home run games from Sept. 21 through the 29th. He was also very well known for bringing the bamboo plant into the clubhouse as a good luck charm. The plant would only work for one series as they swept the Mets, but would then go on as they were playing before the plant and Miller arrived to town.

Miller went 7-for-31 as a pinch hitter in 2019 and when he was on the field, he spent the majority of the time in either left field or at third base. Miller was primarily used as a designated hitter last season when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals. He slashed .232/.357/.451 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 142 at-bats during the regular season in 2020.

Heyman also mentions that the Phillies have shown interest in Shin-Soo Choo. The long-time Texas Rangers outfielder and designated hitter had a down year in 2020, but can get on base at a high rate and hit the ball out of the ballpark.

Like Miller, Choo perfectly fits the mold of the left-handed power bat on the bench that could play some innings in a corner outfield spot. And if Andrew McCutchen is unable to take on a full workload in left field after two years removed from ACL surgery, one of either Miller or Choo could be critical to the team’s success.

Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported on Tuesday that the Phillies also have interest in former Astros utility man Marwin González.

All I’m gonna say is that the Phillies could possibly use that bamboo plant for this upcoming season.