Cubs trade away DeRosa, agree to terms with infielder Miles
On a day of swirling rumors around the North Side, one came to fruition when the Cubs sent infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa to Cleveland for three young pitching prospects.
The move of one of the most popular players on the team came about an hour after the Cubs agreed to terms with veteran infielder Aaron Miles on a two-year deal worth a reported $5 million, and it might be the harbinger of more moves to come by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry.
Among the rumors are the arrival of outfielder Milton Bradley, the departure of pitcher Jason Marquis, and perhaps the re-ignition of talks with San Diego for ace Jake Peavy.
But so far, the only things in concrete are the arrival of Miles and the departure of DeRosa, who hit .289 with 31 homers and 159 RBI in 298 games with the Cubs.
"It's never easy to say goodbye to a quality player and person like Mark DeRosa," Hendry said. "He was a major contributor to our success the last two seasons.
"That part of it is always difficult, but we felt like we had to move forward in this direction."
A key addition from Cleveland appears to be right-handed reliever Jeff Stevens.
The 25-year-old combined to go 5-4 with a 3.24 ERA, 6 saves, a .184 batting average against in 36 relief appearances between Class AA Akron and Class AAA Buffalo, both Indians affiliates. Last season, he struck out 81 batters in 58 innings and walked only 27.
"We feel he's got a chance to help us out of the 'pen this year, whether it's Opening Day or sometime during the year," Hendry said.
Also included in the deal were lefty John Gaub, 23, and 20-year-old righty Chris Archer.
Gaub was 1-1 with 2 saves and a 3.38 ERA in 34 relief appearances for Class A Lake County in his first full year as a professional. Archer, a player Hendry coveted, went 4-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 starts, also for Lake County.
"He's a young 20-year-old that (scout) Stan Zielinski has nothing but high praise for," Hendry said. "He's a hard, hard thrower with nice loose arm; a real high-end type prospect."
The switch-hitting Miles, 32, batted .317 with 4 home runs, 31 RBI and a .355 on-base percentage in 134 games for St. Louis last year. The former White Sox also played every position other than pitcher or catcher, with 85 appearances at second base topping the list.
"Aaron fits in very well," Hendry said. "He's a winning-type player, he's got a great batting average, a history (of doing well) in day games ... he brings a lot to the table."
Including a little ire toward his former employer, the Cardinals, who decided to nontender him for the second year in a row.
"I was a little surprised," Miles said. "Financially I understand why they did it, but it was still kind of shocking because I figured I had a place over there.
"Now I'm ready to be a Cubbie and play the game the right way and show St. Louis they let someone go that maybe they shouldn't have."