Comparing Miller and Robertson, and passing along props to Oliver Drake

During the 2014 season, Andrew Miller pitched better than David Robertson. Miller has the stats to prove it.

He had a better ERA, more strikeouts per nine innings, fewer walks per nine innings, a better WHIP and beat Robertson in other statistical categories as well.

So will Robertson get a better contract via free agency than Miller? Should he?

Ken Rosenthal discussed that question on MLB Network's "Hot Stove" morning show Tuesday.

"The answer might not be as obvious as you would think," Rosenthal said. "You would think David Robertson, he's a closer and would get a better deal. He is asking for Jonathan Papelbon type of money. That is four years and $50 million. And teams are not inclined to give relievers those kind of deals anymore.

"What is interesting about Miller is he is not asking for Papelbon money as far as we know. He is not attached to a draft pick because he got traded and could not get a qualifying offer. So there is no compensation along those lines and and he is left-handed - that makes him valuable, too. And he doesn't have to be a closer.

"There has been a ton of interest in Miller. When you compare his numbers against Robertson, Miller had the better year. Now, he hasn't had a better track record or the longer track record. But last year, in just about every category you look at, Andrew Miller was better than David Robertson. Given all those factors, I would not be surprised if Miller got more."

Props to Drake: The Orioles re-signed right-hander Oliver Drake yesterday, giving him a major league contract for 2015 and adding him to the 40-man roster. Drake, who has been an Oriole since being drafted in the 43rd round out of Navy in 2008, had been a minor league free agent.

This is the time of year when some minor league free agents are in big demand and Drake clearly had a few teams in pursuit, which led the O's to retain him with the big league deal.

This is a nice comeback story. Drake made the O's 40-man roster for the first time in November 2011 after he went a combined 11-8 with a 3.32 ERA as a starter between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie.

But shoulder problems soon followed. He began the 2012 season on the disabled list, pitched only 18 innings and underwent surgery that August. Doctors cleaned up a portion of the labrum and had to shrink a capsule in his right shoulder. That procedure impacted his 2012 and 2013 seasons, limiting him to 59 combined innings. It also sent him to the bullpen.

But this past season, Drake was really good, as he went 2-4 with a 3.08 ERA and an Eastern League-leading 31 saves at Bowie. Drake's 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings was the best single-season mark in his seven-year minor league career. He held batters to a .214 average.

Most recently, he has been pitching in the Dominican Republic, going 0-1 with a 1.13 ERA with eight strikeouts in eight innings for Aguilas, garnering some more attention.

Even though he has only pitched two innings in his life above Double-A - and that was in 2011 for Norfolk - you would now expect Drake to begin next season in the Norfolk bullpen. From there, he could find his way onto the Norfolk-Baltimore shuttle as a reliever with options.

Three years after he made the 40-man for the first time, Drake was back on it yesterday. Props to him for overcoming the shoulder issues and working his way back.

Question for today: I'll end this today by asking you the question I was asked on a radio show last night. I fumbled for a good answer, so I hope you can do better. While the Orioles continue to pursue their own free agents, if they pursue players outside of the organization, which ones should they go after?