Cubs add Aaron Miles to team’s roster
The Cubs added a versatile player in Aaron Miles on Wednesday and traded another in Mark DeRosa.
DeRosa, who is coming off his best offensive season, was dealt to the Cleveland Indians for three Minor League pitchers, including right-hander Jeff Stevens, lefty John Gaub and righty Chris Archer.
DeRosa set personal highs with 21 homers, 87 RBIs, 103 runs and 69 walks while batting .285 in 2008. The popular infielder had one year remaining on his three-year contract with the Cubs, and was to be paid $5.5 million in 2009.
He played four different positions, and filled in for Kosuke Fukudome in right field when he struggled.
Stevens was a combined 5-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 36 games, all in relief, last season in the Minor Leagues for the Indians. A sixth-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2005, the right-hander was traded to Cleveland in June 2006 as the player to be named following the Brandon Phillips’ deal.
Gaub appeared in 34 games, all in relief, for Class A Lake County, and he compiled a 3.38 ERA, while Archer was a starter for the Captains, going 4-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 games.
Earlier Wednesday, the Cubs signed Miles, 32, to a two-year deal. He batted .317, with 15 doubles, four home runs, 31 RBIs and a .355 on-base percentage in 134 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season.
“We expect Aaron to provide significant versatility and flexibility to our roster,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. “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 played seven positions last season, making 85 appearances at second base, 27 at shortstop, 11 at third base, four in left field, one in center and one in right. He also made one relief appearance on the mound.
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