(670 The Score) There was a small silver lining to the Cubs finishing with the seventh-worst record in MLB in 2021.
It put them near the front of the line as they claimed left-hander Wade Miley off waivers from the Reds last Friday, as the order of priority starts with the worst record in baseball and follows from there.
“I guess you try not to be surprised,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Tuesday. “But we were excited to get Wade. This is the benefit of finishing in that place I guess. We had a lot of conversations for two days and did as much homework as we could and then made our move.”
Adding pitching is the Cubs’ priority this offseason, and they were in desperate need of adding a starter who could eat innings. Miley, 34, fits the bill, as his 163 innings in 2021 were more than anyone on the Cubs’ staff other than right-hander Kyle Hendricks (181). Miley went 12-7 with a 3.37 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 28 starts last season. He has a career 4.15 ERA.
After making the move, the Cubs exercised Miley’s $10-million club option for the 2022 season.
"To be able to add a quality pitcher in early November was exciting for us to begin that process,” Hoyer said. “This certainly doesn't end that process for us, but it's a great way to start it.
"Wade was in our division, and we did some really quick research on him. We really didn't expect him to be available. We go into the offseason with some plans and ideas, but some of that gets dashed rather quickly. So you try to be prepared and opportunistic as possible. Some team we talk to today may come up with an idea (trade proposal) and we cannot afford to be stuck in our ideas. You must be able to think through things quickly.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.