Happy 2009!

UPDATE: I must have been totally confusing Aaron Miles with someone else, so I erroneously stated him as an outfielder. He's an infielder (obviously) and will be giving Theriot an occasional breather.

What happened while I was away?

Most importantly, on New Year's Eve the Cubs acquired switch-hitter Aaron Miles (from the divisional rival Cardinals, natch) and jettisoned Mark DeRosa for three minor-league pitchers. The Miles contract is reported to be two years at just under $5 million. Right now, the likely left-handed bats in the lineup are Miles, Fukudome (replaced by Bradley if he signs?), Fontenot, and Joey Gathright off the bench.


The best prospect in the DeRosa trade, meanwhile, is Jeff Stevens, a right-handed pitcher who pitched at the AAA and AA level for the Indians last year. Via Cubs.com. (emphasis mine)

Stevens was a combined 5-4 with six saves and a 3.24 ERA in 36 games, all in relief, last season at the Double-A and Triple-A level for the Indians. Left-hander John Gaub appeared in 34 games, all in relief, for Class A Lake County, and compiled a 3.38 ERA, while right-hander Chris Archer was a starter for the Captains, going 4-8 with a 4.29 ERA in 27 games.

Meanwhile, The Winter Classic happened. Tribune. NYT.

And today, the Era of Jay Mariotti at AOL Sports began. (via Deadspin.com) Your move, Sun-Times.

Pie on the Block

This is a couple days old, but whatever.

Via the Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer.

What's certain is this: Former Rays and Royals outfielder Joey Gathright is a left-handed hitter with more experience, at least as much defensive versatility and better baserunning ability and instincts than Pie, and he made a better impression on manager Lou Piniella with Tampa Bay than Pie has made in Chicago. With the Cubs pursuing free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley and with three other outfielders locked in, there's room for only one Gathright-Pie type. It's doubtful Pie -- who recently was considered the organization's top prospect -- will last the offseason without being traded, considering he's out of options and was a long shot to make the 25-man roster out of spring training even before Gathright was signed.

The article also says Pie has only attempted 12 steals and hit .223 in 130 games over 2 major-league seasons. Needless to say, like it or not we have Gathright, so getting ANYTHING for Pie would be a plus. Pie has rarely impressed me, and the Cubs need a base-stealing threat. If Pie isn't it, what is he here for?