Miller Re-Signs With Cubs

by andysilv on Nov 9, 2006 2:52 PM CST

Right-handed pitcher Wade Miller re-signed with the Cubs for the 2007 season.

Miller signed with the Cubs as a free agent in January, but missed most of the season with a shoulder injury. He made five starts this past season, going 0-2 with a 4.57 ERA with 18 walks and 20 strikeouts.

(http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-061109cubsmiller,1,3824347.story?col l=cs-cubs-headlines)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Oh Joy

Yet another walking arm injury is in the starting rotation!

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 9, 2006 2:48 PM CST reply actions

I like this

There's one hole filled. We now have 3 starters going into 2007.

by NO100 on Nov 9, 2006 2:51 PM CST reply actions

I don't know about a hole filled...

...but I don't think this is a bad deal at all. We'll see if Miller can continue his comeback and be effective next year. If he's not, then no worries as long as Hendry isn't counting on him. In a market where all free agent pitching will come at a premium, someone like Miller, for a low base salary, has solid upside and is worth the gamble so long as Hendry has plans on filling rotation slots with more reliable people.

Right now I see Miller, Prior, and the glut of rooks from last year vying for one rotation slot.

Or at least this is what I'm hoping for.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 9, 2006 3:23 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think so

I think Miller will be given a spot as will Prior, if he can start the season. All the rooks will be complemantary to Miller and Prior if they can't go. The final SP spot will go to a FA pitcher, IMHO.

by NO100 on Nov 9, 2006 3:27 PM CST up reply actions

Then riddle me this:

...HENDRY! and PINIELLA! have spoken openly about adding two starting pitchers.

Hill and Z are set barring an unforeseen trade, that leaves two slots open for the new two guys and, one spot left then for Prior, Miller, et al.

Unless Piniella and Hendry consider re-signing Miller an "addition" when he was already here (wouldn't surprise me), then there is feasibly only going to be one slot open for Miller, Prior, and others to compete for.

Especially when ROTHSCHILD! and HENDRY! have both been quoted as saying they are expecting NOTHING out of Prior for next year.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 9, 2006 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

Nothing out of Prior?

You may know more than me on that. If that's the case then they would have to find another pitcher either through FA or rely on a rookie.

I guess I was just reacting to the Miller signing in and of itself. I don't think that Hendry is bringing him back in to "compete" or to play the "in the rotation out of the rotation" game (as much fun as we all find that to be).

In the case of Miller, I think Hendry believes he can rely on him. The guessing game has worked out so poorly the last few years that I don't think that he is going to follow it again. Just because Miller has been injured the last 2 years doesn't mean that he's not past that injury. It's not as if he's been burned by Miller. Yes, he came in later than originally thought, but it was a continuation of the same injury as opposed to the new ones that keep popping up on Wood and Prior.

by NO100 on Nov 9, 2006 3:41 PM CST up reply actions

Here is Jim Hendry's direct

quote regarding Prior in the Daily Herald...

"It's not to say that he can't come back because he should, but I don't know that we can go to spring training depending on that and being left short. I think we're approaching it that we need to get the rotation set, and if he's back, it's going to be a luxury for us."

STEVE STONE!

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 9, 2006 4:46 PM CST up reply actions

Awesome

For the first time in a long while, I have faith that he might know what he's doing. Color me cautiously optimistic.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 9, 2006 5:00 PM CST up reply actions

Your signature alone...

...should temper that optimism some.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 9, 2006 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

Quite true

The Rothschild thing does still irritate me, but at least the rest of the coaches seem to be on the level.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 9, 2006 7:34 PM CST up reply actions

At least

you don't have my sig line. Though if we DO get Matsuzaka, I will be damn proud of it.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 9, 2006 7:35 PM CST up reply actions

Ha!

Spot on. If Hendry manages to get Matsuzaka, I'm really going to be scratching my head as to whence his orders came between now and the Nomar trade.

ROTHSCHILD!

by Perkins on Nov 9, 2006 7:40 PM CST up reply actions

Absolutely, if you use fractions

1 - Zambrano
1 - Hill
33% - Wood
33% - Prior
33% - Miller

Throw Jacque Jones down the well, so the Cubs will be free...

by Ross on Nov 9, 2006 3:58 PM CST up reply actions

Post of the Day

n/t

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 9, 2006 3:58 PM CST up reply actions

Think they'll let us have em all out at once?

All three on the mound, and it's a game of shells/cups as to who's going to pitch the ball.

That way, each of them only has to throw 30-40 pitches every 5 days.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Nov 9, 2006 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

There has been funny sh*t on here before...

but that is one of the best!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." -- Albert Einstein

by tyger1147 on Nov 9, 2006 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

There has been funny sh*t on here before...

but that is one of the best!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." -- Albert Einstein

by tyger1147 on Nov 9, 2006 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

Re:

What does Hendry have against pitchers WITHOUT surgically reconstructed arms?

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 9, 2006 3:29 PM CST reply actions

seriously...

...relax...

If Miller and Mulder are Hendry's two guys he feels great about next year then I'll join you.

But a lot of teams do this, not just the Cubs.

Every team has their projects.

I know, I know...there are other teams?

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 9, 2006 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

Explain to me

HOW exactly this offseason is going to be different to offseasons past? Hendry still is shopping in the bargain bin...going after third tier free agents, signing reclamation projects and crossing his fingers, etc.

Nothing has changed. Only now we have John Rah Rah McDonough shouting brilliant statements of the obvious and marketing-isms in the background !!!! "We want to win." No sh!t John? Boy, for a moment there I thought you were going to say the objective is to finish in 4th place.

by BlueMike on Nov 9, 2006 3:39 PM CST reply actions

Hahahahaha!

Sometimes, you're just batsh*t crazy. But other times, you have this Lewis Black quality to your rants. I dig that.

HENDRY!

by cubbiejulie on Nov 9, 2006 3:41 PM CST up reply actions

Christ you people are nuts...

REPEAT:

Hendry can't sign anybody else other than players formerly under contract.

Signing Wade Miller, to throw into the mix for the #5 rotation slot, is not a bad idea. As far as I can tell he is not being counted on to be anything but that at this point. It is a signing that has upside to it, it carries little to no risk, it's not a big deal, we will survive this.

Miller, on a one year deal, is insurance at this point. Nothing more.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 9, 2006 3:44 PM CST up reply actions

The POINT is

that the dim-witted and perpetually in denial Jim Hendry apparently believes, once again, that Mark Prior and a reclamation project like Wade Miller automatically fill two slots to his 2007 starting rotation.

I'm sorry, but nothing has changed. In 2004 it was the phony pursuit of Carlos Beltran. In 2005 it was the phony pursuit of Rafael Furcal. And in 2006 it will be the phony pursuit of Matsuzaka, Zito, Schmidt, et al. Meanwhile, the new faces to our roster will be more of the same crappy and suspect and relatively cheap garbage.

by BlueMike on Nov 9, 2006 3:49 PM CST up reply actions

Where.......where has

Hendry ever even implied that Miller and Prior would fill two of the slots in 2007? He has been as upfront about Prior as anyone recently. Everyone is saying that Prior will NOT be ready, which in my opinion is even too early to say that right now. However, nobody is counting Prior for '07. That leaves Miller as possibly filling the 5th spot. I agree this is a good, likely economical, signing.

I know it has been reminded several times by the prognosticator, but again, FA signing period starts Sunday.

by LuisSalazar on Nov 9, 2006 3:59 PM CST up reply actions

And you know what?

RELIEVED!

Two points:

One, for those that hold the hope that the team can turn it around in one offseason, there is still plenty of money and roster space to sign two more pitchers. I doubt Hendry is counting on Miller and Prior next year to take up two slots.

What frightens me is who Hendry plans on bringing in to fill the other rotation slots, and bums like Meche and Suppan and Weaver getting multi-year deals for exorbitant salaries that will hamper this team well down the road.

Two, I said this in another response, but for those of us who think that it is highly unlikely that the Cubs can turn this ship around in one offseason, a Miller signing is one that minimizes damage in the long-term. Maybe he pans out maybe he doesn't, but it doesn't kill this team well down the road. If Miller were getting a 4 year deal, then I'd blow a gasket, but for one year, not at all.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 9, 2006 3:59 PM CST up reply actions

Phony pursuit ot Furcal my ass

The Cubs were, from most accounts, nearing a deal with Furcal, and the Dodgers joined the fray very late in the process and overwhelmed him with a deal that was considered to be considerably higher than market value.

I don't believe for a minute that the Cubs pursuit of Furcal was anything but genuine. Beltran, however, is a different story, imo.

by davidalanu on Nov 10, 2006 9:20 AM CST up reply actions

47 minutes

Let us note that it took just 47 minutes for the first over the top, ridiculous, bitter complaint about a free agent signing...

Really, you guys are slipping a little bit in the off season. You might want to work on that in preparation for next season's kvetching.

Throw Jacque Jones down the well, so the Cubs will be free...

by Ross on Nov 9, 2006 4:34 PM CST up reply actions

Ah, kvetching...

...one of my favorite words.

(and favorite things to do).

I love a good bowl of goulash and a satisfying round of kvetching.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 9, 2006 4:35 PM CST up reply actions

Not to

brag but I make awesome goulash.

Please, please, please keep Orange guy!!!!!!

by sue369 on Nov 9, 2006 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

seriously...I love goulash...

...gimme...

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 9, 2006 5:11 PM CST up reply actions

I love

it too.

Please, please, please keep Orange guy!!!!!!

by sue369 on Nov 9, 2006 9:47 PM CST up reply actions

the past has no effect on the future

or so i was told last year.

by mike b on Nov 10, 2006 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

What were the terms?

Anyone know?

by Al Yellon on Nov 9, 2006 3:48 PM CST reply actions

Great

Al turns 50 and his heart is all a flutter that the Cubs re-signed Wade Miller as a cornerstone to their offseason manueverings.

by BlueMike on Nov 9, 2006 3:53 PM CST up reply actions

Huh?

Sounded to me like he asked what the terms of the contract were, didn't sound like he pissed his pants screaming for joy. Not like you did out of rage.

You said:

What is it about signing Miller that makes you believe Hendry is counting on him to fill a rotation spot next year? Sounds like a good insurance "hedge your bets" signing to me. I haven't seen anything that indicates Hendry thinks of Miller as anything other than a potential candidate for the rotation next year. Knowing Millers physical history would preclude anyone from thinking of him as anything more. Including Hendry.

by pageian on Nov 9, 2006 4:28 PM CST up reply actions

That's correct.

All I was interested in were the terms of the contract. Can't seem to find those anywhere.

Depending on what the terms are, this could be a very good signing. Or a very bad one. I'll reserve judgment.

by Al Yellon on Nov 9, 2006 4:32 PM CST up reply actions

Terms were not released.

by cubsfan2883 on Nov 9, 2006 6:46 PM CST up reply actions

Terms

1 Yr/$1.5M with incentives that could escalate contract to $5.25M.

Also: In an interview with USA Today, new manager Lou Piniella listed Alfonso Soriano, Gary Matthews Jr., Schmidt and Zito as the free agents the Cubs are pursuing this winter and conceded that Juan Pierre may be gone.

Players win awards but teams win championships.

by tharr on Nov 10, 2006 12:27 AM CST up reply actions

Saw those terms this morning.

I don't think they are unreasonable at all. If he sucks or is hurt, the Cubs are only out $1.5 million.

If somehow he recovers completely to his 2001 form, the Cubs have a solid starting pitcher for only $5.25 million.

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2006 7:42 AM CST up reply actions

So throwing away.....

1.5 is good how? Hendry always does stuff like this and then balks when the real FA's come knocking. You better hope another team doesn't offer Soriano 1.5 million more than the Cubs do.

"Some advice: Stop worrying about being a good corporate citizen."-Phil Rodgers to Jim Hendry 10/6/06

by PriorandAramisfan23 on Nov 10, 2006 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

Al... (and others)

As I've said about all the jibba-jabber about firings-that-weren't-really-firings and resignings-that-had-nothing-to-do-with-performance-of-the-team, and how they didn't mean anything to me, but the fact that Hendry got extended after LAST YEAR'S offseason did...

Anyway, just like those didn't make me happy, I will say that this doesn't make me sad.

Most of us have had a rotation like this:
1 - Zambrano
2 - Free Agent
3 - Rich Hill
4 - Free Agent
5 - Prior/Miller/Marshall/Mateo

I am NOT one to look at everything out of context and in a negative light (like others), but I am also not one to look at everything postively (like you and others).

If Vincente Padilla gets signed by the Cubs over the next month (with Zito, Schmidt still out there), BlueMike and others will hate it. I won't. I'll see it as the No. 4. I understand the "spend time with the bottom guys and then lose out on the top guys later" angst that so many have, but the fact is, if someone like Padilla and Wolfe are in negotiations, you can't simply ignore them and say you want something better. And then hope if you don't get that "better", they will be willing to listen to your groveling.

Anyway, my point is this. This signing means almost nothing. All that it means is that once Prior gets hurt, Marshall gets traded and Mateo eats himself out of a job or doesn't get his work visa, we will still have a No. 5 option. IMO, this signing means we "took care of" our No. 5 pitcher.

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." -- Albert Einstein

by tyger1147 on Nov 9, 2006 4:36 PM CST reply actions

My god!!!

Did I just say "we" at the end of that last post?

WOW!!!

I believe that is the first time I have ever used "WE" when referring to a sports team (except when I was actually ON the Nebraska football team for a semester and a summer--might have used it then).

"Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." -- Albert Einstein

by tyger1147 on Nov 9, 2006 4:40 PM CST up reply actions