12-31-2008, 02:42 PM
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune....sign-aaron.html
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cubs sign Aaron Miles; DeRosa likely gone
By Paul Sullivan
The Cubs signed switch-hitting infielder Aaron Miles to a two-year, $4.9 million deal on Wednesday, giving them a potential leadoff man to move Alfonso Soriano down in the lineup.
The 32-year-old Miles batted .317 in 134 games for St. Louis last year, and has a .289 career average and .329 on-base percentage. Though he’s spent much of his six-year career in the leadoff spot, Miles carries a .272 average and .305 on-base percentage in the top spot.
Major League sources say the addition of Miles means the Cubs are about to trade second baseman Mark DeRosa, who is in the final year of a three-year deal. General manager Jim Hendry was unavailable for comment.
In a statement on the Miles signing, Hendry said he gives them roster flexibility: “He handles the bat well from both sides of the plate and is a skillful middle infielder who has added third base and all three outfield positions to his repertoire during the last few years.”
Miles, who also played for the White Sox and Colorado, will earn $2.2 million in 2009 and $2.7 million in 2010. He has a .317 career average in day games, including a .392 average in day games in 2008.
DeRosa will be the odd man out, with Miles basically taking his job. The Cubs are expected to trade DeRosa for two or three prospects, and had listened to offers from Cleveland, Philadelphia, Minnesota and several other teams during the winter meetings.
How this effects Mike Fontenot remains to be seen. With the Cubs closing in on Milton Bradley for right and Miles replacing DeRosa at second, Fontenot is expected to get more playing time at shortstop, along with Ryan Theriot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cubs sign Aaron Miles; DeRosa likely gone
By Paul Sullivan
The Cubs signed switch-hitting infielder Aaron Miles to a two-year, $4.9 million deal on Wednesday, giving them a potential leadoff man to move Alfonso Soriano down in the lineup.
The 32-year-old Miles batted .317 in 134 games for St. Louis last year, and has a .289 career average and .329 on-base percentage. Though he’s spent much of his six-year career in the leadoff spot, Miles carries a .272 average and .305 on-base percentage in the top spot.
Major League sources say the addition of Miles means the Cubs are about to trade second baseman Mark DeRosa, who is in the final year of a three-year deal. General manager Jim Hendry was unavailable for comment.
In a statement on the Miles signing, Hendry said he gives them roster flexibility: “He handles the bat well from both sides of the plate and is a skillful middle infielder who has added third base and all three outfield positions to his repertoire during the last few years.”
Miles, who also played for the White Sox and Colorado, will earn $2.2 million in 2009 and $2.7 million in 2010. He has a .317 career average in day games, including a .392 average in day games in 2008.
DeRosa will be the odd man out, with Miles basically taking his job. The Cubs are expected to trade DeRosa for two or three prospects, and had listened to offers from Cleveland, Philadelphia, Minnesota and several other teams during the winter meetings.
How this effects Mike Fontenot remains to be seen. With the Cubs closing in on Milton Bradley for right and Miles replacing DeRosa at second, Fontenot is expected to get more playing time at shortstop, along with Ryan Theriot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->