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Tito: Miller, Allen will be used interchangeably
- Updated: July 31, 2016
CLEVELAND — This is a dream scenario for Indians manager Terry Francona. Whether he is constructing a lineup or mapping out a pitching staff, Francona craves balance and versatility. He wants as many options in place to plan for every possible situation.
Now, Francona has an elite bullpen duo in lefty Andrew Miller and righty Cody Allen.
• Indians acquire Miller in trade with Yankees
“We have guys at the end of the game that are a little bit interchangeable,” Francona said after Cleveland acquired Miller from the Yankees for a four-prospect package on Sunday morning. “We’re going to have a chance to leverage guys and, believe me, we will.”
Throw the term “closer” out the window. Even over the past three years, as Allen has acted as Cleveland’s primary ninth-inning arm, Francona has shied away from slapping that label on his late-inning stopper. With Miller now in the fold, the manager will surely continue to stay away from that specified job description.
In Miller and Allen, Francona has two top-tier options for the eighth and ninth inning. Making things even easier for the manager is the fact that both Allen and Miller have expressed a willingness to embrace whatever role or inning they are asked to handle.
During Cleveland’s most recent road trip, Allen went as far as meeting with Chris Antonetti, Cleveland’s …
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