Cubs Sign Aaron Miles

Rob G: Sorry guys, the article Joe put up was just a cut and paste from the press release, apparently he didn't read the TCR Manual. :)

I kid because I care.

But as mentioned, the Cubs do sign switch-hitting infielder Aaron Miles for two years, the Trib says the deal is for $4.9M total and if it's an even split, that's $2.45M for this year. Miles hit 317/355/398 last season for the Cardinals after hitting 290/328/348 in 2007. He primarily plays second base with a 100+ games at short in his career. He's even dabbled in the outfield, but less than 10 games for his career including four in left field last season.

I think it's safe to assume an infielder is on his way out the door soon, most likely Mark DeRosa if yesterday's rumors are true, but possible that it's Ronny Cedeno or Mike Fontentot.

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Submitted by Joe Aiello on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:12am
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Comments

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:17am

Brian Roberts he is not, but let us never speak the words 'Ronny Cedeno' and 'Cubs' together again.

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:23am

There's your 2009 backup to Aramis (Miles), answering a question in the previous thread about what happens if DeRosa is traded to get more talent in a deal for he that shall not yet be named (Jake Voldemort?).

I guess this is how they get more left handed. Certainly another lefty (and righty) off the bench which is nice.

Of course McFail/Stockstill probably still have wet dreams about Ronny Cedeno and Felix Pie...too bad they took the desperation route of signing ol' crotch grabber to play SS (Izturis)...otherwise we'd be hearing Brian Roberts name crop up again. Oh, I guess we just did.

And if they do sign Bradley that will give them 3 switch hitters (Z).

Submitted by Jace
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:27am

I like this pickup. Miles was one of my favorite Rockies when he was here a couple of years ago. I can't say I ever saw him playing anything but short or second, but if he is that versatile, great...

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:29am

Here's a link to the Sun-Times.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/13567...

2 years at $4.9M is what I saw.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:43am

I don't get it. Even if we trade DeRosa he's going to be taking bats away from Theriot and The Fontenaught, but not out-hitting them. My memory of his defense at short is that he belonged at second, but I haven't watched him play all that much. I guess we can start two LH middle infielders now, but based on his career numbers he's not going to outhit Theriot from that side of the plate.

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:55am

Was thinking the same thing, actually. Not the utility infielder I'd hoped for, but it'll work I guess.

If (sounding more like when) you do dump DeRosa, the team is going to need 3B insurance. You can also run Miles out there at 2B against lefties and sit Michael Eugene Fontenot. He'll probably outhit Cedeno, and Cedeno might be gone anyway. Don't really have to worry about matching up in RF anymore since Bradley's a switch hitter. If/when he goes down, we could go Soriano-Johnson-Miles against left if you don't want to run Hoffpauir out there. Not the shining beacon of production, but it does give us another switch hitter.

I dunno, I guess. He is very versatile. Can pretty much play everywhere but center. Probably shouldn't much more than a 350 AB's type guy, though.

Submitted by VirginiaPhil
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:12pm

You don't mention Cedeno, whose roster spot Miles will fill. Cedeno's .269 BA was deceptive last year, since he hit .240 after April. And I remember a few conspicuous defensive misplays in September when he got to play a little more.

Submitted by Timmer
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:15pm

Isn't Miles more likely to take DeRosa'a spot on the roster?

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:17pm

Only if he becomes a starter. I'm thinking Fonte will get the starting job, but I'm not sure which I'd prefer.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:17pm

Cedeno is baseball retarded.

Anyone thinking he will be missed is sadly mistaken.

Will Pie, Cedeno and Indian prospects land Peavy?

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:18pm

How about keeping the prospects and signing Lowe?

Submitted by CPH2133
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:54am

The cubs scrappiness level just increased significantly

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:00pm

Miles is definitely a lot more valuable bench guy than Ronny Cedeño will ever aspire to be.

Submitted by Rory
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:03pm

How will we distinguish Aaron Miles (.289/.329/.364)from Ryan Theriot(.290/.362/.369)?

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:11pm

umm instead of those numbers how about we try the ones on their backs?

Submitted by Wes
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:06pm

Dierkes says that Levine says that the Cubs and Tribe are close on a DeRosa deal.

"According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio, the Indians are getting close to a deal for Mark DeRosa that would send two or three young pitchers to the Cubs. At least, that statement was attributed to him in the station's recent SportsCenter update.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/indians-clos...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:20pm

The only position player that anyone wants from the Cubs played at SS A last year and we're looking for pitching prospects?

I just can't believe Hendry is saying "Man, look at all these backloaded contracts I have biting me in the ass, let me trade the best contract I have so I can get another back loaded contract." Someone on this board said that Hendry backloaded contracts because he never figured he'd be around long enough to have to deal with it... I am starting to come around to that line of thought.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 1:29pm

That was me, and the more the merrier on this bandwagon.

For the record, I think Hendry's done a pretty decent job, and most of his contracts that look ridiculous at the beginning ultimately look pretty decent by the end. However, with the economy and the uncertainty of future ownership, Hendry's painted himself into a bit of a corner.

As it stands now, the 2009 Cubs are a downgrade from the 2008 Cubs. Fortunately, there are 3 months left until opening day.

Submitted by Timmer
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:14pm

Levine says that two of the middle infielders could be traded. DeRosa and Cedeno are the most likely to go, though I wouldn't rule out Fontenot. If the Cubs do trade two of them, who becomes the second reserve middle infielder? Spears isn't ready, Blanco is Cedeno-lite, and Scales, well, is Scales. Do they go after another FA middle infielder?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:14pm

changed the article btw as Joe just cut and paste the press release...

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:16pm

last year I remember him batting leadoff on occaision but it turns out that was rare (23 AB's), but he did bat 9th some (61 AB's) in LaRussa's goofy pitcher bats 8th lineup.

...but batting in the 2nd spot, Miles was:

163 AB/ .390 .444 .834

and that was his most frequent spot in the batting order. He batted 7th as the second most frequent spot (83 AB's)

...so he's a nice top of the order fill-in too.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:22pm

Let's get Pujols too!

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:22pm

Let's get Pujols too!

Submitted by Chicago Jamie
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:17pm

Didn't read all the comments, so if this is overly obvious or 3/44, lo siento. This signing to me is the first step in trading DeRosa to ____ for a couple (maybe 3) pitching prospects. Step 2 is trading Marquis. Step 3 is acquiring Peavey with the spoils of war plus whatever it takes. (I've never wanted to be SO right before--even tho my girlfriend would miss blowing me during DeRosa's at bats!)

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:18pm

Stay tuned.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:22pm

Dero has been traded to Indians

Minor LeaguePitchers
stephens
archer
gobb

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:22pm

DeRosa traded to Indians for Stevens, Archer, Gobb? - Levine

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:25pm

Jinx.

Damn, I'm going to miss him. But, for once, Hendry traded someone at his peak value. Probably a good idea, but it still sucks.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:27pm

Agreed.

Dero frees up $ 11 million according to Levine.

This seems more for Bradley signing.

Let's see.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:28pm

DeRosa - Miles >< $11 million.

Submitted by The Joe
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:34pm

True. I'm curious if anyone knows how good these pitchers are.

Submitted by Cubster
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:34pm

Christopher Archer was with the single A, Lake County Captains (Eastlake, OH).

a 20 yr old righty. 6'2", 180 lbs.
4-8, 4.29 ERA, 115 IP

...I believe he was Captain of the Enterprise Nx before that assignment

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:36pm

I do believe my "The Leader" joke has been out-dorked.

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 11:17pm

Christopher Pike + Jonathan Archer?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 12/31/2008 - 12:40pm

new post up on the DeRosa trade with links to their BR pages at least.

I'll investigate further...

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