Cubs Sign Miles

by Eli Greenspan on Dec 31, 2008 12:44 PM EST

The Cubs and Aaron Miles have agreed to a two year contract worth 4.9 million dollars, according to cubs.com. Miles hit .317 with 4 HR and .355 OBP in 134 games for the Cardinals last season, and is a switch hitter. He hit .350 in 80 at-bats in situations deemed "close and late, " something the Cubs must have liked. Miles gives the Cubs solid depth off the bench, but you have to wonder why they would bring Miles in when they already have Mike Fontenot, especially on a two year deal. This suggest one thing to me: The Cubs are gearing up for another run at Jake Peavy.

By trading Marquis, you open up payroll to sign Milton Bradley, which sources have told me is "inevitable." With Fontenot and Miles at second, the Cubs can trade Mark DeRosa to the Phillies or Twins for the top pitching prospect they need to send to the Padres, along with Josh Vitters and two other Cubs prospects, for Peavy. They also signed Joey Gathright, meaning Felix Pie could be on his way out as well. It seems far-fetched, but the rival executives got the impression from Cubs officials that they were "determined" to land Peavy.

However, the Cubs lost a couple solid bench players and could view the Miles signing as a retooling of the bench. Miles is a career .289 hitter in 643 major league games.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

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Comments

do you think the cubs would just trade derosa for a top pitching prospect and then keep all those prospect and not go after peavy?

by Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 1:01 PM EST reply actions

do you think the cubs would just trade derosa for a top pitching prospect and then keep all those prospect and not go after peavy?

by Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 1:01 PM EST reply actions

Indians just got Mark DeRosa. Jeff Stevens is one of the 3 players the Cubs will be getting.

by KevinGillman on Dec 31, 2008 1:32 PM EST reply actions

I don't see the Cubs making the trade of DeRosa unless something else was in the works. DeRosa was too valuable for the team to trade just for the sake of trading.

by Anonymous on Dec 31, 2008 1:34 PM EST reply actions