Mariners' Miller 'pretty frustrated' by lack of positional consistency

Published May. 6, 2015 12:38 p.m. EDT

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Seattle Mariners infielder Brad Miller is considered a 'shortstop' - but the team is currently dabbling with thoughts of using him in the outfield. As Miller told Bob Dutton of the News Tribune before Tuesday's game with the Los Angeles Angels, he's not really a big fan of the change:

“They just told me I won’t be playing short,” he said. “I’ll be playing other spots. Just kind of go from there. I was pretty frustrated, but I’m a player. I go out and play. They make the decisions.”

His manager, Lloyd McClendon, rationalized the team's position by vocalizing his vision for MIller - and it involves comparisons to 'super utility' player Ben Zobrist, currently with the Oakland A's:

“My vision is to see him as a Ben Zobrist-type of player,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “We’ll see. This is not etched in stone. This is something we’re trying, and we’ll see how it goes.”

To that end, Miller sounds as if he'd still prefer something more consistent than a 'utility' role:

“He’s a great player,” Miller said, “and he’s invaluable, but I wouldn’t want to pigeonhole myself to anything. I’m 25 years old. I’m still young in my career. Yes, a player who can play a lot of positions is very valuable. “But also, a player who is an All-Star shortstop is very valuable. That’s kind of how I look at it. I don’t think you can compare yourself to anybody.”

But, ultimately, the 25-year-old promises to stay professional no matter what is asked of him by Seattle:

“I’m a professional,” he said, “and this is my job. They’re my boss. If they say `do this,’ that’s what I do. It’s pretty simple from that (perspective). You’ve just got to be a professional about it.”

(h/t News Tribune)

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