The St. Louis Cardinals could use a rotation upgrade. Could Chicago Cubs pitcher Wade Miley be exactly what they’re looking for?
When the Reds let Wade Miley walk right to the Cubs off waivers, they surely didn’t expect this kind of production. Miley has a 3.38 ERA in three starts with the North Siders, and could instead fetch the Cubs — not the Reds, as originally intended — a top-30 prospect come the Aug. 2 deadline.
With injuries to Jack Flaherty and Steven Matz, St. Louis’ starting rotation is suddenly a major issue. Even with Flaherty on his way back eventually, there’s no telling how he will perform out of the gate. Jordan Hicks doesn’t look like a long-term answer, meaning the Cards have Adam Wainwright and…not much more.
Miley could be the quick fix St. Louis needs, and it would come on the cheap. It’s in similar fashion to the J.A. Happ and Jon Lester deals the Cards made last season on their way to the postseason.
Cardinals: A trade for Wade Miley to make Cubs happy
Cardinals Get
Wade Miley
Cubs Get
Connor Lunn
Miley isn’t a strong asset, and he’s not going to net Chicago a top-30 prospect in most system. But, since this is the Cardinals, St. Louis will have to pay a little more than most.
Lunn, ironically enough, is built in a similar mold to Miley. He doesn’t have electric stuff, but he does have incredible location, which makes him an attractive prospect as a starting pitcher. As for the Cardinals, their system is loaded with right-handed pitchers. They can afford to lose one.
At No. 26 in St. Louis’ system, Lunn is also right in front of Edwin Nunez, who Chicago might also ask about. Nunez should be off-limits, given his near-100 mph fastball and electric stuff in general. At just 20 years old, he has plenty of potential as a reliever at the big-league level.