Yardbarker: Aaron Miles

Building A Cubs Champion: 2010 Edition

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:15:22 -0500

by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP Like it or not, one of the keys to the Cubs' success in 2010 is a resurgence by Alfonso Soriano. Here, he launches his game-winning grand slam vs. the Astros last July 27. View full size photo » Last year about this time, I made this post discussing what I thought should be the makeup of the 2009 Cubs. Brave, isn't it, of me to post that link when I'd just as soon forget ab...

Cubs Close To Making Jaramillo One Of Highest-Paid Coaches In MLB

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:13:22 -0500

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP Once again, ignore the guy on the left. The guy on the right is about to become the Cubs' hitting coach. Browse more photos » SI.com's Jon Heyman says that the Cubs are close to signing Rudy Jaramillo, and he'd become the highest-paid coach in Cubs history: Jaramillo turned down the Rangers' offer to remain their hitting coach last week and is expecte...

More Hints Of 2010: Cubs vs. Diamondbacks Preview, Saturday 10/3, 12:05 CT

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:00:32 -0500

More photos » by Paul Beaty - AP It was that kind of day yesterday for Sam Fuld. Browse more photos » Dave van Dyck writes in the Tribune that Aaron Miles is "confident" he can bounce back next year: The only trouble is that Miles has been buried on the bench by manager Lou Piniella and booed by Wrigley Field fans when he has appeared. "The fans can be won back pretty quickly," he...

Cubs should take advantage of that Cash for Clunkers program.

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:44:39 -0500

(Click on thumbnail to see full-size version)

Think I got the answer here.
That Cash for Clunkers program?
You think they'd take this used Aaron Miles?
Lookin' at it now, I'm not even sure why I got it.
What about an '07 Soriano with a busted clutch?
I know it's leased through 2014 but hell brother, I'll take anything for it.
This '09 Bradley - this thing came like that.
The signals don't even work.
Oh, and you see that heap over there, that Gregg?
I had a nice old Woody, but I gave it away when I saw the Gregg.
How much you give me for it?

Hi.
Just trying to have a little fun down here in my own lowered expectations.

Tim Souers is the illustrator and author of Cubby Blue and appreciates the opportunity to guest blog here at The Cub Reporter.
http://www.cubby-blue.com

To Die And Die In L.A.: Dodgers Slam Cubs Again 7-2

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:00:29 -0500

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP This guy did good last night. The rest of the pitching staff, not so much. Browse more photos » Before I discuss the bullpen meltdown in last night's 7-2 Cubs loss to the Dodgers, I'd like to say one thing very loudly to Lou Piniella so it can't possibly be missed: Please don't put Aaron Miles in any more baseball games. Thank you. Miles came up w...

New Graphic In Wrigley's Men's Room

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:09:25 -0500

Remember Cubby fans... don't sit in those urnials, stand. Stand up and be proud of Milton Bradley, Aaron Miles and Fukadome. Stand up for .500 with a 150 million dollar payroll. Stand up for 102 years without a World Series. Stand up for losing. Now, some links... For the Wii fans, this is pretty cool. LINK HERE Worst bod mod ever. Gross. LINK HERE From the Best of Craigslist. LINK HERE Sale, FAIL. LINK HERE We'll be in all weekend. So as things progess, be sure and come back for ...

End of the Aaron Miles Experience?

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:39:54 -0500

Frumpy hobbit Paul Sullivan says Aaron Miles is set to go on the DL: Infielder Aaron Miles is expected to go on the disabled list Monday with a hyperextended right elbow. Miles would be eligible to return on July 6 after the DL stint is backdated. The Cubs need a late-inning defensive replacement for Jake Fox if Piniella plans to use Fox at third and Mike Fontenot at second. They would probably recall Bobby Scales from Triple-A Iowa. Ramirez will be set to return, it seems around that sam...

From the Wire...Aaron Miles to the DL

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:15:19 -0500

According to a report from ESPN in Chicago, the Cubs are expected to place Aaron Miles on the disabled list Monday with a hyperextended elbow. The report mentioned the Cubs would recall either Bobby Scales or possibly Sam Fuld to take his place on the active roster. The move is expected to be made official before Monday's game against the Pirates.

I Can See Four Miles (ABs)

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:38:57 -0500

Aaron Miles got four at bats and reached base twice, and four Cubs pitchers combined to throw a four-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts, as the EXST Cubs blanked the EXST A's 5-0 this morning at Fitch Park Field #3 under mostly-cloudy skies.

Miles, on the Cubs 15-day DL since May 27th with a sore shoulder, got the start at shortstop, and hit 2nd in each of the first four innings. He was the middle-man on a 4-6-3 DP in the top of the 2nd, but otherwise had a quiet day in the field throughout his four innings at SS.

At the plate, Miles grounded out to 2nd base (4-3) on a hit & run play that advanced a runner to 2nd base in the 1st inning, walked in the 2nd inning, popped up to short in the 3rd inning, and singled to right (sending the runner on 1st to 3rd) in his final AB in the 4th.

In addition, IF-OF Ryan Freel (on the Cubs 15-day DL with a strained hamstring since May 28th) and INF Luis Rivas (on the Iowa Cubs DL with a hamstring strain since April) took "live" BP, but did not play in the game. (Rivas has actually been at Fitch Park for several weeks, but he is just now starting to get out onto the field).

18-year old Dominican LHP Jeffry Antigua got the start for the EXST Cubs today and was outstanding, throwing four shutout innings, allowing two ground singles and no walks, while striking out eight. He kept the ball down on every hitter, getting four ground outs in addition to the eight punchouts, including the 4-6-3 DP that featured a nice "turn" by Aaron Miles.

19-year old RHP Tarlandus Mitchell (Cubs 2008 22nd round draft pick out of Alto HS - Alto, TX) followed Antigua to the mound, and threw two hitless & shutout innings, striking out four while walking two. Mitchell had a very poor outing last week in Tempe (he was yanked out of the game after only one inning), so I'm sure he felt good with his comeback outing today.

RHP (and ex-OF) Andres Quezada then threw two shutout innings, and RHP Carlos Rojas finished up with one inning of shutout relief.

The Cubs offense got going right off the bat in the bottom of the 1st. Jose Valdez was hit on the foot with a pitch (he also was hit on the same foot with a pitch in his next AB), and advanced to 2nd on the Aaron Miles ground out. Then with two outs, John Contreras blasted a double off the LF fence, scoring Valdez.

The Cubs scored again in the 4th. Matt Cerda (2008 4th round pick out of Oceanside HS - Oceanside, CA) led off with a walk, and advanced to 3rd on a line single to right by Miles. Then with one out, Chris Weimer lined a single to CF, scoring Cerda.

The Cubs got three insurance runs in the 8th, as 20-year old lanky Dominican switch-hitting infielder Robert Bautista (batting right-handed) led-off the inning by blasting a home run over the left-field fence onto 8th Street. (The normally light-hitting Bautista hit an inside-the-park HR yesterday, so maybe I should stop comparing his speed and defensive play to Junior Lake and his hitting prowess to Veronica Lake). Jose Valdez and Dwayne Kemp singled, and Valdez scored on a passed ball. Then Contreras singled, scoring Kemp.

Here is today's abridged box score (Cubs players only):

LINEUP:
1. Jose Valdez, CF:           1-2 (HBP, HBP, F-8, 1B + 2 R, 1 CS)
2a. Aaron Miles, SS:          0-1 (4-3)
2b. Dwayne Kemp, SS:      1-2 (4-3, 1B + 1 R)
3. Matt Cerda, DH-C:          0-3 (F-7, BB, F-9, 4-3 + 1 R)
3x. Aaron Miles, PH:          1-1 (1B)
4. John Contreras, DH #2: 3-4 (2B, 1B, K, 1B + 2 RBI)
5. Chris Weimer, 1B:          2-4 (K, 1B, 3B, L-6 + 1 RBI)
6. Jae-Hoon Ha, LF             2-4 (1B, 1B, K, 1-3)
6x. Aaron Miles, PH:           0-0 (BB)
7. Logan Watkins, 2B:        1-2 (1-3 SH, P-6, 1B)
8. Jesus Morelli, RF:           0-2 (5-2 FC, K, 5-3 SH)
9. Alvaro Sosa, C-DH:         1-3 (F-7, E-6, 1B + 1 PO)
10. Robert Bautista, 3B:      1-3 (F-7, F-7, HR + 1 R, 1 RBI)
10x. Aaron Miles, PH:          0-1 (P-6)

PITCHERS:
1. Jeffry Antigua -        4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K, 1 GIDP, 4/0 GO/FO
2. Tarlandus Mitchell - 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K
3. Andres Quezada -    2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 4/1 GO/FO
4. Carlos Rojas -          1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1/2 GO/FO

ERRORS (2):
1. C Alvaro Sosa - overthrow at 2nd base on stolen base attempt, allowing runner to advance to 3rd.
2. 2B Logan Watkins - dropped pop-up in short RF, allowing batter to reach base.

CATCHERS DEFENSE:
1. Alvaro Sosa: 0-1 CS, 1 E (see above)
2. Matt Cerda: 1-3 CS

WEATHER: temperature in the 90's, mostly cloudy, not as hot as yesterday,

ATTENDANCE: 8

2009 Cubs UZR

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:19:40 -0500

Fangraphs has now updated their UZR for 2009. Here are the Cubs players from best to worst with the UZR/150 in parentheses. Mike Fontenot (31.7) Milton Bradley (19.5) Aramis Ramirez (8.2) Joey Gathright (6.9) Kosuke Fukudome (5) Reed Johnson, CF (3.6) Derrek Lee (3.2) Alfonso Soriano (2) Reed Johnson, LF (0.9) Aaron Miles (0) Ryan Theriot (-17.6) This is 5 games so it’s useless. Still, we see that Milton Bradley can actually play defense despite dumbshits saying all offseason that...

Projecting the 2009 Cubs: the final one

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:57:10 -0500

For these team projections I've used the playing time projections that we put together. The statistics for the hitters are from the 2009 Shawon's, which are based on the following projections: Marcel, Chone, PECOTA, and ZiPS. The pitching stats (FIP) are the average of those same 4 projection systems. The defense for most of the players was a 3-year weighted UZR average if possible and for others I explained on their individual player projection. The baserunning numbers are the aver...

Cubs Deal DeRosa, Add Miles

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:36:48 -0500

The Chicago Cubs have signed one versatile player and traded another. Early this morning, it was announced that the Cubs had signed Aaron Miles to a two year contract. Miles has played the innfield and outfield and has even made a relief appearance on the mound last season in a Cardinals blowout ...

I Cannot Watch Another Game

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:55:57 -0500

My best friend since 3rd grade got married this weekend.

JoeSportsFan On the Airwaves

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:13:14 -0500

Earlier this morning, Matt Sebek continued the weekly excellence in radio broadcast segments known as "Let's Go Blogging" on Team 1380 AM in St. Louis. We've politely provided you the bulk of the interview, which includes talk of the New Year's Day hockey game at Wrigley Field, the trade of C.C. Sabathia and a quick note on Aaron Miles' number one female fan (ahem).

Get to clickin' ya filthy animals.

Let's Go Blogging :: 07/08/08

[Interview run time under six minutes]

Fan of the Week :: I Think I Threw Up In My Mouth...

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:14:13 -0500

There are many ways fans choose to show their appreciation and appeal for specific professional athletes.

Among the common: collecting baseball cards, personalized jerseys, searching for autographs.

Among the weird: growing a fake goatee to mimic your hero's signature goatee.

Among the weirder: being born a woman and painting a fake goatee on your face to mimic your hero's signature goatee.

I suppose it's natural for a skeptic to call tomfoolery on this one. Yea, it looks a little, um, doctored. But it's all too real in St. Louis, Missouri. We're sorry, Aaron Miles.

I suppose the only thing scarier than a woman with a *faux* goatee on her face is a woman with an *actual* goatee on her face...and even then, it's close.

The jumbotron is an absolute gold mine of fan hunting talent. There are plenty of tattooed and mulleted fans that want nothing better than to left alone in the wild. However, fans that appear on the jumbotron are a healthy mix of weird, outgoing, and extremely intoxicated. A dedicated fan hunter should always have their camera ready during jumbotron moments.