Cubs out on Miller, but looking at trading for other starting pitching
The Chicago Cubs were linked as a trade target for Shelby Miller as the Hot Stove continued to turn late into the evening Monday during the MLB Winter Meetings being held in Nashville, but as of Tuesday morning are 'not currently in the mix' for the Atlanta Braves starter, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Earlier, the Cubs were said to have placed slugging infield prospect Javier Baez on the trading block for a starting pitcher, such as Miller. Chicago also reportedly had Jorge Soler on the table as well before the deal fell through.
It has been reported that as many as 20 teams have checked in on the availability of Miller, but the Braves are apparently seeking quite a haul of prospects to be willing to part ways with the 25-year-old starter.
While the Cubs appear to be out on Miller, the club could also be targeting another young pitcher, Alex Cobb of the Tampa Bay Rays. Cobb, 23, is projected to earn just $4 million in 2016, but is coming off UCL replacement surgery as he missed the 2015 season and will likely miss a chunk of the upcoming season. Cobb, who lasted pitched in 2014 for the Rays, has a career 3.21 ERA, along with a 1.191 WHIP with almost 500 innings under his belt.
Along with Cobb, the Cubs are reportedly talk about trading for starter Matt Moore, who is coming off a forgettable 2015 season season where he had a 5.43 ERA over 63 innings.
Regardless of the outcome, the Cubs are playing hardball during this offseason's Winter Meetings, and are apparently more than willing to give up some of the glut of young hitters in order to obtain the starting pitching they need to build on the successful 2015 campaign.
Correction: #Cubs, #Dbacks not currently in mix for #Braves’ Miller. #Dodgers have talked to ATL. Where they stand is unclear.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 8, 2015
