Yankees’ Dellin Betances on Andrew Miller: ‘We traded the best of the best’

Yankees reliever Dellin Betances said he was taken aback by the Andrew Miller trade.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Yankees reliever Dellin Betances said he was taken aback by the team’s decision to trade closer Andrew Miller.

“I’m still trying to get over the fact that we traded the best of the best,” Betances said. “I was very surprised...It’s a tough pill to swallow. We lost a true leader and a good friend for me. Somebody that we all kind of lean on, and he helped us the last couple of years. You could say he’s been the best relief pitcher in baseball, and that’s tough for me. It’s tough seeing one of your good friends go.”

Betances, 28, has spent the past year and a half with Andrew Miller after the lefthander signed a four-year deal before the 2015 season. He’s pitched before him in the seventh and eighth inning.

Miller was traded to the Indians on Sunday in exchange for a package headed by prospects Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield. That move came on the heels of the team moving Aroldis Chapman to Chicago for another prospect package. 

With both relievers gone, Betances will take over as the team’s primary closer.

– Kenny Ducey