Red Sox trade rumors: Andrew Miller drawing plenty of interest

The Boston Red Sox are receiving a large number of inquiries on left-hander Andrew Miller, as Peter Gammons reports that the 29-year-old is currently the most sought after Red Sox trade candidate due to the large number of clubs in need of a southpaw reliever.

The Atlanta Braves, in desperate need of a left-handed reliever due to Luis Avilan's struggles, have made acquiring a southpaw their top priority according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Miller appears to be their top target, while the club is also looking at James Russell and Wesley Wright of the Cubs among others.

Miller comes rather cheaply as he has just about $800,000 remaining on his contract, and will be eligible for free agency following the season, making him a true rental.

Miller has developed into an excellent reliever for the Red Sox after years of struggling, despite at one time being considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball. In 38 innings this season, Miller has a 2.13 ERA, 1.46 FIP, 14.4 K/9, and 2.8 BB/9. His incredible strikeout rate is third best in baseball among pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched this season.

Despite a 46-52 record, it's not yet a certainty that the Red Sox will be sellers, as they are far from out of it in an unusually weak AL East. Still, odds are that Miller will be dealt due to his impending free agent status.