Aaron Miles: Cardinals “let somebody go maybe they shouldn’t have”
TOWER GROVE — As one of a sweeping series of moves the Chicago Cubs made this morning as possible prelude to reviving a Jake Peavy deal, the Cubs’ signing of infielder Aaron Miles dredged up a familiar refrain, heard before from former Cardinals like him.
“I’m excited to be a Cubbie,” Miles told Chicago Cub beat writers on a conference call this afternoon. “Being a Cardinal was great and that part is over now. Now I’m ready to be a Cubbie and play the game the right way and show St. Louis that they let somebody go that maybe they shouldn’t have.”
Recent history, Jim Edmonds notwithstanding, may be on Miles’ side.
The switch-hitting Miles, the real gem of the long-ago Larry Bigbie/Ray King trade with Colorado, finalized a two-year deal with the Cubs on Wednesday, a deal reportedly worth $4.9 million over the two seasons. That link to the Sun-Times gives a rundown of the moves the Cubs have made, are in the process of making and now could make as a result of Wednesday’s activity. (There’s another former-Cardinal element involved as dealing Jason Marquis would open up cash and a spot in the rotation for Peavy.) Of local interest is Miles’ reaction to being non-tendered by the St. Louis Cardinals for a second consecutive season and what his absence from the Cardinals’ bench means to a team that — to put it mildly — is now seriously lacking in known depth at the middle infield positions.
Just a few months removed from his trade request, Adam Kennedy wakes up to 2009 as the clear starter at second. There isn’t an obvious challenger in sight.
The Cardinals were reluctant to pay Miles, who hit a career-high .317 this past season, the salary of a starter when they weren’t convinced he would be the starter. There was also some internal debate about how to weigh is batting average-driven offense against alternatives. Each of the previous three seasons he’s started the year on the bench and won more and more playing time — so much so that he’s finished recent seasons as the de facto starter at second. He even leapfrogged Ronnie Belliard for some starts in the 2006 World Series, and under duress he became a legit backup at shortstop.
Miles’ versatality was essential to manager Tony La Russa’s handling of the bench and his constantly shifting lineups. Miles saved the Cardinals from David Eckstein’s injuries, Cesar Izturis’ initial offensive struggles and the entire Kennedy Saga. Heck, he even pitched mopup. That was a novelty that now is a fitting metaphor. In case of emergency, break glass, call Miles. He was the club’s Minute Man — ready to play wherever, whenever at a moment’s notice.
Miles was an insurance policy. How much is that worth?
There is a benefit to having a player like Miles around. Now there isn’t one readily apparent.
“I figured I had a place over there,” Miles said in the conference call.
Miles’ former place is now up for grabs with current in-house candidates being Brendan Ryan, Brian Barden, newly added Joe Thurston, and 40-man rookie Tyler Greene. All four are more proficient at shortstop than Miles, but not one has shown the offensive consistency at the major-league level that Miles had as a Cardinal.
This is technically the third consecutive year that the Cardinals had non-tendered Miles, as they planned to do so after the 2006 season and worked a deal before having to announce the non-tendering. Last year, they non-tendered Miles to avoid arbitration and the infielder was lured back by La Russa’s pledge to him, a $1.4-million salary and the knowledge that he would be a utility player to start the season and end the year with the playing time of a regular. That’s how it always went.
The Cubs swooped in with an offer that pays him like a regular, may ultimately offer him the playing time of a regular (pride of Salmen High Mike Fontenot is the other option at second), and now sets in motion the gears that could spin Peavy to Wrigley.
Miles told reporters that the Cardinals did enter the bidding, eventually.
But, to Miles, their interest had already been telegraphed and received. He now sounds like a handful of other free agent infielders the Cardinals have not brought back in recent years.
“St. Louis jumped in the last day,” Miles said in the conference call. “I pretty much had already said my good-bye to them in my head. The thought of playing for the Cubs is exciting and I’m pumped up about it.”
* * *
More remarks by Miles during his conference call:
– “I figured I had a place over there (in St. Louis). In the end, they non-tendered me two years in a row. (The interest in) me being there wasn’t as big as it was before.”
– “I was feeling maybe I wasn’t wanted by everybody (with the Cardinals). In the end they made an effort for me, but I felt (better about) the Cubs.”
– “The non-tendering of me two years in a row kind of made you feel like you’re not wanted as much. There was a little bit of that in my head.”
Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
Hi ‘Pitchers Hit Eight’:
The Rolen/Glaus trade came about because Toronto was concerned about the decline in Glaus’s production. Glaus career year was 2000 47hr, 102rbi, 120runs and 112walks. Glaus last year in Toronto 2007 20hr, 62rbi, 60runs and 61walks with a $10.5mil salary going to $12.5mil in 2008. With the precipitated decline in productivity and increasing salary Toronto had no takers for a trade!
Rolen stated he wanted out of St. Louis and Tony La Russa wanted him gone too. Rolen career was 2004 34hr, 124rbi, 109runs, 72walks. Rolen last year in St. Louis 2007 8hr, 58rbi, 55runs and 37walks with a $12.3 salary dropping to $11.625. With the precipitated decline in Rolen’s productivity St. Louis had no immediate takers for a trade without eating salary! Both players also had questionable heath records.
Rolen, TLR and DeWitt had ALREADY MADE THE DECISION (NOT ‘No Moves’). How many people do you think where on the dance floor for this transaction? (I’ll help you. TWO!) ‘No Moves’ just carried out the orders given him.
On your block buster signing (no trade) Kyle Lohse was a last minute signing on March 14, 2008 signed a one year deal worth $4.25mil. Can you tell me why? (I’ll help you. The 2008 season started March 31 and the music was going to stop and Lohse did not have a place to land. Teams had their starting pitchers rotations set two weeks before opening day. Teams did not want to dance with Lohse who was demanding $40mil for 4 years!) The March 31 game was rained out and was played April 1st.
Why could ‘No Moves’ swoop in to make the deal? (I’ll help you. Everybody else had left the dance floor!) Why? (I’ll help you. Lohse 2006 record at Min 2W-5L with a 7.07ERA and opposing hitters hit .308 against Lohse. 2006 record after Min moved him to Cinn 3W-5L, 4.57ERA, opposing hitters hit .288. 2007 Cinn 6W-12L, 4.58ERA, opposing hitters hit .280. After Cinn moved him to Phil 3W-0L, 4.72ERA, and opposing hitters hit .276. With the Cardinals 2008 he had a career year 15W-6L, 3.78ERA, and opposing hitters hit .272 plus gave up 18 homers. In 8 seasons Lohse has given up 175 gopher balls, 4.67ERA and opposing hitters hit .282. Average of 22hr per year. He did not draw any attention from any team for $10mil/year and the 2008 season was starting in ONLY TWO WEEKS. Only two people were on the dance floor again! Hey ‘Pitchers Hit Eight’, your dog could have done this deal too.) ‘No Moves’ had to have DeWitt (‘No Moves’ puppet master) sign off on it.
Now if ‘Pitchers Hit Eight’ wants to compare ‘No Moves’ to Walt Jocketty let us do it.
Jocketty during his time as Cardinal GM, the Cardinals compiled six National League Central Division championships (1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006), two National League Championships (2004 and 2006), and one World Series Championship (2006). The Cardinals had seven straight winning seasons under Jocketty, including 100+ win seasons in 2004 and 2005. Jocketty has been named the Executive of the Year in MLB twice, in 2000 and 2004.
Jocketty deals obtained the following players: Dennis Eckersley, Mark McGwire, Edgar Renteria, Darryl Kile, Pat Hentgen, Fernando Vina, Jeff Weaver, Ron Belliard, Adam Wainwright, Jason Marquis, Ray King, David Eckstein, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Will Clark, Steve Kline, Woody Williams, Larry Walker, Mike Timlin, Todd Stottlemyre, Royce Clayton and others. Jocketty was also instrumental signing Tony La Russa, Chris Carpenter, David Eckstein, etc.
The magnificent Whitey Herzog had far more deals done in his fist year that your boy ‘No Moves’. Herzog secured the following players: Ozzie Smith, Jack Clark, Darrel Porter, Willie McGee, Bruce Sutter, Rollie Fingers, Joaquin Andujar, Lonnie Smith, Gene Tenace, Jim Kaat, etc. Whitey also found Tommy Herr buried in the minor and installed him at 2nd base. Herzog won the 1982 World Series and the National League Pennant in 1985 and 1987. Plus Whitey was not only the GM from 1980-1982, he was also the field manager!
What is your EVIDENCE your home boy ‘No Moves’??? What happened in 2008 after the all star game when TLR was begging for an impact bat, another started pitcher and Loogy in the pen? ‘No Moves’ lived up to his name (again), ‘No Moves’ made NO MOVES! Under the infinite guidance, imagination and pragmatism of your boy ‘No Moves’, the Cardinals tanked and ended up in fourth place in the division behind the Cubs, Milwaukee and Houston.
When Herzog and Jocketty talked to the press they had to something to say and said it. ‘No Moves’ just spews out cold baby pablum of last year’s news and no definite answers to any question.
Well, ‘Pitchers Hit Eight’ there is the evidence. Your evidence is SKIMPY but that is why you are hitting in the 8th hole. Or maybe you just had 3 sheets into the wind at 3A.M. New Year’s Day. If think your buddy ‘No Moves’ is seriously doing a great job so be it. You have just have lower expectations but finishing 4th does nothing for me. I am not going to spend any more time connecting the dots for you but ‘No Moves’ volume of work is INADEQUATE and it will be reflected in revenues it something does not change in the immediate future.
No offense intended but did ‘No Moves’ Mozeliak pay you to defend him or are you a family member? Full blooded or did you marry into the family?
Why wouldn’t we want to keep Miles? I’ve wondered for weeks why the FO would not sign him. He had a great 2008. I don’t agree at all with the fans who say we won’t miss him. In the TLR system, a solid utility player is a must to allow TLR to shuffle his lineups on an almost daily basis. I’m sure having Miles was a main reason the Cards were able to carry an extra pitcher for a good part of the season last year. I’m seeing fans write that multi-position 300+ hitters are a dime a dozen. I find that hard to believe. Derrick, is there any way to measure how Miles stacks up with other utilty players in the game? I thought the off season was a time to shore up your weaknesses and improve yourself for the upcoming year. I don’t think there is any question the Club has taken a step backwards by not retaining Miles for this year. I wish him the best with the Cubs.
This was a pretty sorry move by management to let him get away. With all the positions that he could play and being a stand up guy this was just not a smart move.
I cannot believe that the GM let Miles get away…He was one of our best and most underappreciated….Next to Albert and Yadi, he was the man to have the bat in game situations…He was a tough out. He played hard all the time…He was an old time type of player…humble and hard working…not flashy…but very steady..Tony is going to miss him and the Cubs fans are going to love him…He might help the Cubs bring it all home ..and if the Cardinals can’t measure up..I hope that he does. What a
penny pinching shame…I am going to miss him…Good luck Aaron Miles..you
are still one of my families favorites and I will be following your career with the Cubs..just like we do with Kurt Warner and the Ariona Cardinals.
…Ken Fortner..St. Louis, Mo….Just another puzzled 50 year fan..
I do not understand the logic in not keeping aaron miles. In baseball you go with the stats. you have a good ball player and you want to dicker around with him. this little guy is going to beat you. Just wait and see. STUPID: STUPID: STUPID:
CARDINAL FAN FOR OVER SIXTY YEARS
Damn, Ray, that’s three hours of your life you’ll never get back.So any good move Mo made was blind luck, basically? Who traded Haren for Mulder? Who resigned Edmonds for two years? Who resigned Mulder again? Who signed Ron Gant, and Tino? I may be mistaken on this one, but I think Jocketty signed Piniero to his current contract. I’m not arguing that Jocketty didn’t rock, but Mo has been the man for only 1 friggin’ year. And he is also constrained by the owners. I remember last year at this time, there was a lot of criticism for resigning Miles, now he is suddenly irreplacable. Kennedy (another Jocketty signing) and Brendan Ryan should do just fine at second. And when they do, what will the Aaronites have to say? I also remember a lot of people whining that Tony should play Ryan more. Well, he will, unless Kennedy, in his walk year, produces, which he should.