Da Windy City
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Chicago Cubs: 3 free agents who could still give the team a boost

By Mike Ogulnick

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 18: Exceutive Vice President and General Manager Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs talks to media members before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field on August 18, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 18: Exceutive Vice President and General Manager Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs talks to media members before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field on August 18, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs, Brad Miller
Chicago Cubs (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports) /

Utilityman Brad Miller

You can excuse Cub fans if they sometimes thought they were witnessing the second coming of Stan Musial when Brad Miller stepped to the plate for the Cardinals. A career .240 hitter, Miller has a .267 batting average with three home runs and 13 RBIs versus the Cubs. His OBP is a lofty .389 when facing Cubs pitching.

Miller’s numbers are even better at Wrigley Field where he hits at a .280 clip with two homers and nine RBIs. His OBP is a very impressive .419. An easy conclusion to reach is this normally light-hitting player loves stepping into the box at Wrigley. It seems to me that having Miller play 81 games a year on the North Side isn’t a bad idea.

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After being selected by the Mariners in the second round back in 2011, Miller was Seattle’s starting shortstop in 2014. He was a bit disappointing batting .221 in 123 games. The following season, Miller became the Mariners’ top utility player before being dealt to Tampa Bay. Miller started at first base for the Rays before moving to second. After the 2017 season, he was sent to Milwaukee.

He struggled with the Brewers, largely because of injuries. Miller had a short stint with the Indians before landing with the Phillies. He signed with St. Louis prior to the 2020 campaign and hit .232 with seven home runs in 48 games.

Adding Miller will allow manager David Ross to rest Javier Baez, Nico Hoerner, or even Anthony Rizzo on occasion while giving the Cubs a guy who will provide a bit of pop and line-drive power. The downside to Miller is he does strike out a fair amount but he’ll also take his walks, something that was lacking from the Cubs lineup last season.

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