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Cubs pick up veteran reliever in trade with Mariners

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Owen Crisafulli | Last updated 5/14/24

The Chicago Cubs have had a great start to the 2024 campaign, and it looks like they could be in a summer-long battle with the Milwaukee Brewers for the top spot in the National League Central division. You can never have enough depth when it comes to making it through the grind of a full MLB season, which is why the Cubs are already adding reinforcements to their roster.

The Cubs have managed to cruise to a 24-18 record so far despite dealing with their fair share of injuries. And while they have gotten healthy as of late, they want to be prepared in the event that the injury bug strikes again. So with that in mind, they ended up striking a deal with the Seattle Mariners for veteran relief pitcher Tyson Miller, with infield prospect Jake Slaughter headed the other way.

Via Jeff Passan:

“Trade news: The Chicago Cubs are acquiring right-handed reliever Tyson Miller from the Seattle Mariners for infielder Jake Slaughter, sources tell ESPN. Miller was recently DFA’d and will join the Cubs in the big leagues. He has been good: 3.09 ERA, 12-to-1 K-to-BB in 11.2 IP.”

Cubs hoping Tyson Miller can become key piece of bullpen

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Tyson Miller (49) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the fact he’s had a decent start to the 2024 campaign (0-0, 3.09 ERA, 12 K, 0.77 WHIP), Miller ended up getting designated for assignment by the Mariners. The Cubs identified him as a guy they wanted, so they sacrificed Slaughter so that they wouldn’t have to risk him getting snatched up by another team on the open market.

Miller only pitched in 16 total games prior to this season, but he seemed to have figured things out with Seattle to start the season. Now, he will join the Cubs bullpen in hopes of carving out a role with them, and based on his solid start to the season, it seems like Miller will be getting consistent innings if he can continue to pitch like he has so far this year.

Slaughter is a 27-year old infield prospect for the Cubs who has been in their minor league system since 2016. Slaughter has had a strong start to the year at Triple-A (.297 BA, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 10 SB, .879 OPS), and if Seattle needs help in their infield as the year goes on, he could conceivably be the guy they call on to come up and make his long-awaited major league debut.

The Mariners shored up their depth at the middle infield while trading from a position of strength, and the Cubs cashed in by getting a major-league reliever in exchange for a player who likely was never going to find his way to the majors for them. This appears to be a solid under-the-radar move for both squads, and it will be interesting to see if either of them can establish themselves in the majors with their new teams.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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