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Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 1 of / 82 Caption Close Image 2 of 82 <b><big><center>Emilo Bonifacio, CF <b><big><center>Emilo Bonifacio, CF Photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Image 3 of 82 <b><big><center>Billy Butler, DH <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $30 million deal with A's. <b><big><center>Billy Butler, DH <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $30 million deal with A's. Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 4 of 82 <b><big><center>Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B <b><big><center>Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Image 5 of 82 Image 6 of 82 <b><big><center>Melky Cabrera, LF <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $42 million deal with White Sox. <b><big><center>Melky Cabrera, LF <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $42 million deal with White Sox. Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Image 7 of 82 <b><big><center>Alberto Callaspo, 2B <b><big><center>Alberto Callaspo, 2B Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 8 of 82 <b><big><center>Joba Chamberlain, RP <b><big><center>Joba Chamberlain, RP Photo: Mark Cunningham / Getty Images Image 9 of 82 <b><big><center>Phil Coke, RP <b><big><center>Phil Coke, RP Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 10 of 82 Image 11 of 82 <b><big><center>Kevin Correia, RP <b><big><center>Kevin Correia, RP Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images Image 12 of 82 <b><big><center>Neal Cotts, RP <b><big><center>Neal Cotts, RP Photo: Rick Yeatts / Getty Images Image 13 of 82 <b><big><center>Nelson Cruz, DH <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $57 million deal with Mariners. <b><big><center>Nelson Cruz, DH <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $57 million deal with Mariners. Photo: Leon Halip / Getty Images Image 14 of 82 <b><big><center>Michael Cuddyer, RF <b><big><center>Michael Cuddyer, RF Photo: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Image 15 of 82 Image 16 of 82 <b><big><center>Ryan Dempster, SP <b><big><center>Ryan Dempster, SP Photo: Brad Mangin / MLB Photos via Getty Images Image 17 of 82 <b><big><center>JStephen Drew, SS/2B <b><big><center>JStephen Drew, SS/2B Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Image 18 of 82 <b><big><center>Mark Ellis, 2B <b><big><center>Mark Ellis, 2B Photo: Jason O. Watson / Getty Images Image 19 of 82 <b><big><center>Gavin Floyd, SP <b><big><center>Gavin Floyd, SP Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Image 20 of 82 Image 21 of 82 <b><big><center>Rafael Furcal, 2B <b><big><center>Rafael Furcal, 2B Photo: Rob Foldy / Getty Images Image 22 of 82 <b><big><center>Jason Giambi, DH <b><big><center>Jason Giambi, DH Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images Image 23 of 82 <b><big><center>Tom Gorzelanny, RP <b><big><center>Tom Gorzelanny, RP Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Image 24 of 82 <b><big><center>Luke Gregerson, RP <b><big><center>Luke Gregerson, RP Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 25 of 82 Image 26 of 82 <b><big><center>Jason Grilli, RP <b><big><center>Jason Grilli, RP Photo: Matt Brown / Getty Images Image 27 of 82 <b><big><center>Jason Hammel, SP <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $20 million deal with Cubs. <b><big><center>Jason Hammel, SP <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $20 million deal with Cubs. Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images Image 28 of 82 <b><big><center>Joel Hanrahan, RP <b><big><center>Joel Hanrahan, RP Photo: Michael Ivins/Boston Red Sox / Getty Images Image 29 of 82 <b><big><center>Chase Headley, 3B <b><big><center>Chase Headley, 3B Photo: A Marlin / Getty Images Image 30 of 82 Image 31 of 82 <b><big><center>Luke Hochevar, RP <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $10 million deal with Royals. <b><big><center>Luke Hochevar, RP <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $10 million deal with Royals. Photo: Brian D. Kersey / Getty Images Image 32 of 82 <b><big><center>Torii Hunter, RF <h3></h3> Signed 1-year, $10.5 million deal with Twins. <b><big><center>Torii Hunter, RF <h3></h3> Signed 1-year, $10.5 million deal with Twins. Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 33 of 82 <b><big><center>Raul Ibanez, RF <b><big><center>Raul Ibanez, RF Photo: Tim Umphrey / Getty Images Image 34 of 82 <b><big><center>Casey Janssen, RP <b><big><center>Casey Janssen, RP Photo: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Image 35 of 82 Image 36 of 82 <b><big><center>JJim Johnson, RP <h3></h3> Signed 1-year, $1.6 million deal with Braves. <b><big><center>JJim Johnson, RP <h3></h3> Signed 1-year, $1.6 million deal with Braves. Photo: Ed Zurga / Getty Images Image 37 of 82 <b><big><center>Josh Johnson, SP <b><big><center>Josh Johnson, SP Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Image 38 of 82 <b><big><center>JKyle Kendrick, SP <b><big><center>JKyle Kendrick, SP Photo: Rob Foldy / Getty Images Image 39 of 82 <b><big><center>Hiroki Kuroda, SP <b><big><center>Hiroki Kuroda, SP Photo: Elsa / Getty Images Image 40 of 82 Image 41 of 82 <b><big><center>Gerald Laird, C <b><big><center>Gerald Laird, C Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 42 of 82 <b><big><center>Adam LaRoche, 1B <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $25 million deal with White Sox. <b><big><center>Adam LaRoche, 1B <h3></h3> Signed 2-year, $25 million deal with White Sox. Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 43 of 82 <b><big><center>Jon Lester, SP <h3></h3> Signed 6-year, $155 million deal with Cubs. <b><big><center>Jon Lester, SP <h3></h3> Signed 6-year, $155 million deal with Cubs. Photo: Ed Zurga / Getty Images Image 44 of 82 <b><big><center>Matt Lindstrom, RP <b><big><center>Matt Lindstrom, RP Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Image 45 of 82 Image 46 of 82 <b><big><center>Francisco Liriano, SP <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $39 million deal with Pirates. <b><big><center>Francisco Liriano, SP <h3></h3> Signed 3-year, $39 million deal with Pirates. Photo: John Sommers II / Getty Images Image 47 of 82 <b><big><center>Paul Maholm, RP <b><big><center>Paul Maholm, RP Photo: Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images Image 48 of 82 <b><big><center>Nick Markakis, RF <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $44 million deal with Braves. <b><big><center>Nick Markakis, RF <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $44 million deal with Braves. Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Image 49 of 82 <b><big><center>Russell Martin, C <h3></h3> Signed 5-year, $82 million deal with Blue Jays <b><big><center>Russell Martin, C <h3></h3> Signed 5-year, $82 million deal with Blue Jays Photo: George Gojkovich / Getty Images Image 50 of 82 Image 51 of 82 <b><big><center>Victor Martinez, DH <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $68 million deal with Tigers. <b><big><center>Victor Martinez, DH <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $68 million deal with Tigers. Photo: Leon Halip / Getty Images Image 52 of 82 <b><big><center>Justin Masterson, SP <b><big><center>Justin Masterson, SP Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Image 53 of 82 <b><big><center>Daisuke Matsuzaka, RP <b><big><center>Daisuke Matsuzaka, RP Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Image 54 of 82 <b><big><center>Brandon McCarthy, SP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $48 million deal with Dodgers. <b><big><center>Brandon McCarthy, SP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $48 million deal with Dodgers. Photo: Brian Blanco / Getty Images Image 55 of 82 Image 56 of 82 <b><big><center>JAndrew Miller, RP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $36 million deal with Yankees. <b><big><center>JAndrew Miller, RP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $36 million deal with Yankees. Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Image 57 of 82 <b><big><center>Michael Morse, LF <b><big><center>Michael Morse, LF Photo: Ron Vesely / MLB Photos via Getty Images Image 58 of 82 <b><big><center>Jason Motte, RP <b><big><center>Jason Motte, RP Photo: Michael B. Thomas / Getty Images Image 59 of 82 <b><big><center>Jake Peavy, SP <b><big><center>Jake Peavy, SP Photo: Ron Vesely / MLB Photos via Getty Images Image 60 of 82 Image 61 of 82 <b><big><center>A.J. Pierzynski, C <b><big><center>A.J. Pierzynski, C Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 62 of 82 <b><big><center>Humberto Quintero, C <b><big><center>Humberto Quintero, C Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images Image 63 of 82 <b><big><center>Hanley Ramirez, SS <h3></h3> Signed 4-year $88 million deal with Red Sox. <b><big><center>Hanley Ramirez, SS <h3></h3> Signed 4-year $88 million deal with Red Sox. Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Image 64 of 82 <b><big><center>Mark Reynolds, 1B <b><big><center>Mark Reynolds, 1B Photo: Denis Poroy / Getty Images Image 65 of 82 Image 66 of 82 <b><big><center>Alex Rios, RF <b><big><center>Alex Rios, RF Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images Image 67 of 82 <b><big><center>David Robertson, RP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $46 million deal with White Sox. <b><big><center>David Robertson, RP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $46 million deal with White Sox. Photo: Rob Carr / Getty Images Image 68 of 82 <b><big><center>Francisco Rodriguez, RP <b><big><center>Francisco Rodriguez, RP Photo: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Image 69 of 82 <b><big><center>Sergio Romo, RP <b><big><center>Sergio Romo, RP Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Image 70 of 82 Image 71 of 82 <b><big><center>Pablo Sandoval, 3B <h3></h3> Signed 5-year $95 million with Red Sox. <b><big><center>Pablo Sandoval, 3B <h3></h3> Signed 5-year $95 million with Red Sox. Photo: Elsa / Getty Images Image 72 of 82 <b><big><center>Ervin Santana, SP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $54 million deal with Twins. <b><big><center>Ervin Santana, SP <h3></h3> Signed 4-year, $54 million deal with Twins. Photo: Kevin Liles / Getty Images Image 73 of 82 <b><big><center>Johan Santana, SP <b><big><center>Johan Santana, SP Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Image 74 of 82 <b><big><center>Max Scherzer, SP <b><big><center>Max Scherzer, SP Photo: Mark Cunningham / Getty Images Image 75 of 82 Image 76 of 82 <b><big><center>JJames Shields, SP <b><big><center>JJames Shields, SP Photo: Brad Mangin / MLB Photos via Getty Images Image 77 of 82 <b><big><center>Rafael Soriano, RP <b><big><center>Rafael Soriano, RP Photo: Mike Zarrilli / Getty Images Image 78 of 82 <b><big><center>Ichiro Suzuki, RF <b><big><center>Ichiro Suzuki, RF Photo: Elsa / Getty Images Image 79 of 82 <b><big><center>Ryan Vogelsong, SP <b><big><center>Ryan Vogelsong, SP Photo: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images Image 80 of 82 Image 81 of 82 <b><big><center>Edinson Volquez, SP <b><big><center>Edinson Volquez, SP Photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images Image 82 of 82 Source: Andrew Miller turned down 4 years, $40M from Astros to sign with Yankees for 4 years, $36M 1 / 82 Back to Gallery

SAN DIEGO — The Astros’ pursuit of Andrew Miller finished like many other days in general manager Jeff Luhnow’s tenure: with no one to close.

But this go-around, a franchise with a reputation for tanking and frugality did not lack for effort.

Carrying the most blown saves in baseball over the last three seasons, the Astros brought a full-court press in an attempt to sign the lefthander Miller, a dominant set-up man poised to become a full-time closer in 2015. The 29-year-old instead signed Friday with the Yankees on a four-year deal worth $36 million — $4 million less in guaranteed money than the Astros offered over four years, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow declined to comment.

“It doesn’t make any sense (to comment), because we’re typically talking to multiple players and it doesn’t make sense for us strategically to disclose what we said, who we’ve talked to or who we’ve had interest in,” Luhnow said. “It doesn’t help our case with the other guys.”

Miller now is the highest paid reliever without prior closing experience in the game’s history.

Although nothing was finalized until Friday, by Wednesday it was known that the Astros were not Miller’s likely destination, which the Chronicle reported that day. Miller’s final decision is a sting to the club, because the Astros offered more money than the other two finalists: the Yankees and Red Sox, who also made a four-year offer.

But the Astros tried, and tried hard. Miller’s agent Mark Rodgers commended the team’s effort, but declined comment on specifics of the negotiations.

“The Astros were extremely aggressive and very, very positive,” Rodgers said. “I can honestly say I think they did everything they possibly could to lure him there.”

A person close to the situation said Astros owner Jim Crane got involved Miller’s recruitment, as did players. Crane declined comment when asked of his involvement this week.

The Astros all winter have targeted bullpen help, and may now turn up their effort to land David Robertson, the free agent closer whose chances of returning to the Yankees appear significantly lessened by Miller’s signing. The Astros have also been tied to reliever Sergio Romo, and are in touch with pitchers who may not qualify as closers as well.

Baseball’s winter meetings start Sunday in San Diego and could bring heavy action league-wide.

“Well we have a closer. Chad Qualls is our closer,” Luhnow said. “We’re looking for good pitchers to pitch in close games. What exactly how the roles get determined, that’s really up to A.J. (manager A.J. Hinch). But we’re trying to get him as many weapons to add to the pitchers that we have. Certainly Qualls and (Josh) Fields and (Kevin) Chapman and the rest of the guys. We just want to have depth in the bullpen, because last year our depth wasn’t there, especially at the beginning of the year.”

The Astros don’t have the allure of jewel franchises such as the Yankees and Red Sox, and probably never will. As they attempt to compete and turn the corner after years of losing, they’ll continue to fight an uphill battle for top free agents. The team’s strip-down efforts from 2012-2013 can’t help its ability to lure free agents, but at the same time, the organization is now on the upswing — and money on the table often amounts to a final say.

In Miller’s case, there doesn’t seem to be anything more the Astros could have done, including dollars. He wasn’t turned off by the Astros’ prior losing as much he was attracted by the alternatives.

“They made a heck of a pitch,” Miller told FOXSports.com on Friday of the Astros. “I know they got thrown out there in the rumor mill. But top to bottom, they were really impressive. They’ve got some really smart people. They’re going in the right direction. This was a decision that was not made lightly. And it was not only two teams. I was very — not surprised — but excited to see who was interested. I felt I pitched well enough to put myself in this position. But it was hard to even dream about it turning out the way it did.”

Miller has spent most of his career in the American League East, the division he returns to. Between the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, he finished the 2014 season with a 2.02 ERA and an average of 14.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Astros drove up the final price. Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that his club upped an offer of $32 million over four years to $36 million because he knew of a standing offer for four years, $40 million — the offer now known to be the Astros’.

As one industry person said Friday: interest from the Astros can make others take notice. The Astros are known to be run by smart people, a reputation that comes with baggage, but also a level of respect. Interest from the Astros can be validating to others. Of course, there are plenty of other smart clubs out there.

The Astros’ 73 blown saves from 2012-14, Luhnow’s time as GM, are the most in the majors. The bullpen’s cumulative ERA, 4.69, is also the game’s highest.

evan.drellich@chron.com

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