Wade Miley enters this offseason in a very familiar position, a veteran lefty whose stuff may not light up a radar gun anymore, but whose feel for pitching and clubhouse value still keep teams interested. His short 2025 run with the Reds didn’t unfold the way either side hoped.
Miley was brought in on a modest $2.5 million deal to give Cincinnati innings and stability, but forearm and flexibility issues limited him to a brief window before he was shut down.
Miley might not be a long-term signing anymore, but he still profiles as a short-term solution who brings calm and predictability. These three landing spots could fit him best.
#1. Milwaukee Brewers
If there’s a team built to get the most out of an older lefty, it’s Milwaukee. The Brewers know Miley well, understand how to manage his workload, and have the defensive structure to support a command-first pitcher.
Miley doesn’t need to be anything more than what he’s always been for Milwaukee: a steady, low-drama arm who gives competitive starts and hands the game to the bullpen without chaos.
The Brewers also love short-term, incentive-heavy deals for pitchers who bring leadership and routine.
For Miley, this is the rare landing spot where both comfort and opportunity line up perfectly and the team knows exactly how to use him.
#2. Cincinnati Reds
The Reds already know exactly who Miley is at this point in his career: a veteran who won’t overpower hitters but will throw strikes, move quickly, induce soft contact, and give a young roster a calming presence.
Cincinnati’s rotation lacks left-handed depth and the front office values inexpensive innings more than it admits publicly. Miley fits that need without requiring commitment.
Miley would also benefit from a staff that understands his routines and limitations. When a team and player already speak the same baseball language, the reunion tends to make sense.
#3. St. Louis Cardinals
Few clubs protect contact pitchers as well as the Cardinals. Busch Stadium softens fly balls, and St. Louis’ infield defense has long been one of its biggest strengths. Miley would benefit from that immediately.
The Cardinals are also known for taking veterans on affordable short deals and making small mechanical or sequencing tweaks that bring stability back to a pitcher’s season.
Miley doesn’t need to be dazzling here, he needs to be steady, and that’s exactly the profile St. Louis targets. For a team aiming to reduce rotation volatility, his style and temperament match what they typically look for.