08-07-2009, 11:34 AM
Looking at the numbers, it is becoming clear that Aaron Miles must have some discriminating pictures of Lou and/or Hendry. Why else would Lou decide to bat Aaron in the 2 spot last night?
My understanding was that Miles was brought in during the offseason to be a veteran presence and to back up second, shortstop and third. The Cubs wanted to make certain they had a back up plan in case Fontenot couldn't hack it as an everyday player and/or to spell Theriot so he wouldn't tire and slump late in the season.
Early on the Cubs realized that Aaron can't play third better than Fontenot - which is saying he can't play third. Basically, Aaron plays second base and has had a few starts at short. The concept that he would be used as a utility man appears to have gone out the window.
So how has Aaron done so far?
Miles has played in 47 games. The Cubs record in games that Aaron has played in is 27 - 20. Before I started this rant, I expected the Cubs record with Aaron to be below 500. You see Aaron recently came off the DL after 33 games. During this DL stint, the Cubs went 22 - 11 - a 667 win %. One reason for the Cubs outstanding win % during Aaron's absence is due to the level of competition. The Cubs played Reds, Nationals, Houston and Pittsburgh during this stretch all of which have losing records.
So I decided to dig a bit deeper into the numbers.
It turns out that when Miles has 3 or more AB in a game, basically when Aaron starts, the Cubs record is 14 - 17, a 452 win %. If you apply this win % to the 106 game played, the Cubs record would be 49 - 57 which would earn the Cubs fourth place in the NL Central.
I don't have anything against Miles but hopefully Lou will start using him as a once a week back up or a late inning defensive replacement. (Cubs are 13-3 when Aaron gets less than 3 AB in a game.) Miles offensive skills have eroded and there is very little reason to think that he will find them any time this season.
My understanding was that Miles was brought in during the offseason to be a veteran presence and to back up second, shortstop and third. The Cubs wanted to make certain they had a back up plan in case Fontenot couldn't hack it as an everyday player and/or to spell Theriot so he wouldn't tire and slump late in the season.
Early on the Cubs realized that Aaron can't play third better than Fontenot - which is saying he can't play third. Basically, Aaron plays second base and has had a few starts at short. The concept that he would be used as a utility man appears to have gone out the window.
So how has Aaron done so far?
Miles has played in 47 games. The Cubs record in games that Aaron has played in is 27 - 20. Before I started this rant, I expected the Cubs record with Aaron to be below 500. You see Aaron recently came off the DL after 33 games. During this DL stint, the Cubs went 22 - 11 - a 667 win %. One reason for the Cubs outstanding win % during Aaron's absence is due to the level of competition. The Cubs played Reds, Nationals, Houston and Pittsburgh during this stretch all of which have losing records.
So I decided to dig a bit deeper into the numbers.
It turns out that when Miles has 3 or more AB in a game, basically when Aaron starts, the Cubs record is 14 - 17, a 452 win %. If you apply this win % to the 106 game played, the Cubs record would be 49 - 57 which would earn the Cubs fourth place in the NL Central.
I don't have anything against Miles but hopefully Lou will start using him as a once a week back up or a late inning defensive replacement. (Cubs are 13-3 when Aaron gets less than 3 AB in a game.) Miles offensive skills have eroded and there is very little reason to think that he will find them any time this season.