ESPN discusses trade of Soler for Miller |
Cubs President Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer have reportedly been discussing potential trades for relief help before the trade deadline on August 1.
Scouts from the Cubs watched Yankees relievers Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman back in the second week of June and returned to Yankee stadium to get another look last weekend according to the New York Post. ESPN senior writer Jim Bowden believes that a deal could be done with the Yankees reliever Miller involving slugging outfielder Jorge Soler. Soler is batting .223 with five homers, 13 RBIs, and an on-base percentage of .322 in limited action this season. He is currently on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring injury. "A deal centered around outfielder Jorge Soler would probably get it done, although it might take the two teams until the trade deadline to get there," Bowden said. "However, the best deal the Yankees could make with the Cubs for Miller would probably be a strong package of prospects from the Cubs’ farm system. The Yankees should focus on Ian Happ, a second baseman-outfielder who can hit for average, power and steal bases. Happ, 21, was the ninth overall pick in the 2015 draft. If the Yankees want to take a chance on a 19-year-old shortstop with the biggest upside of any Cubs prospect, they could ask for Gleyber Torres, but according to sources, Chicago would not have interest in that type of deal. In my opinion, for the Cubs to land Miller from the Yankees, they’ll have to be willing to part with either Soler or Happ in a package of two or three prospects." For the season, Miller is 5-1 with an impressive 1.47 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and averaging 16.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
