Manifesto

After last year's first round playoff belly flop, Cubs' GM Jim Hendry decided to shake things up a bit. And when I say "shake things up", I mean "sign several mediocre Proven Veterans who just had career seasons." The signing of Aaron Miles for 2 years and $4.9 million received little attention or comment (perhaps because it was on the same day that fan favorite Mark DeRosa was traded). For most of his career, Miles was an adequate (at best) defensive player and a punchless hitter. However, Hendry looked at Miles's superficially good 2008 stats, including a .317 batting average, and guaranteed Miles's employment with the Cubs through the 2010 season (it should be noted here that his OPS+ of 99 showed that even at his best, Miles was still a below average hitter).

The problem with this signing is that a GM should be able to easily find players with Miles's skills in his minor league system. In fact, the Cubs already had two such players - Andres Blanco and Bobby Scales could do exactly what Miles does, and for a lot less money. Actually, I'm being unfair to these two, because they can provide more than Miles: Blanco is way better defensively, and Scales can hit a fly ball into the outfield on occasion. And yet Hendry still handcuffed his roster with Miles.

Miles figured to come back to earth this year, but apparently he forgot his parachute. In over 140 plate appearances he has posted a ridiculously low OPS of .499. To put Miles's season into perspective, Sean Marshall, a pitcher who can't hit, has an OPS of .462. Having Aaron Miles in the lineup is pretty much like having another pitcher in the lineup. But because of the stupid contract, Miles stays while Scales, who can hit (sort of) and isn't any worse defensively, is stuck in Iowa and Blanco has to go on the disabled list with a trumped-up injury.

Miles's pinch-"hitting" appearance on Tuesday night, grounding out weakly on the first pitch he saw in a tie game in extra innings, was the last straw. Miles's mere presence on the roster is killing the Cubs, because Lou Piniella feels compelled to use him in game situations, with predictably disastrous results. Therefore, I am imploring you, Jim Hendry - Miles must be designated for assignment (DFA'd) as soon as possible. Until that day comes (Miles is DFA'd or otherwise becomes an ex-Cub), I'll be posting here every time he does something to help the Cubs lose, or when I have some more statistical evidence about how horrible his play has been this year (I should have plenty of material). My hope is that I don't have to continue this exercise for very long; my fear is that I'll still be doing this next year.

Enjoy!