When the Chicago Cubs traded for Ryan Pressly in the offseason, they envisioned him being a dominant closer for their team. However, the two-time All-Star has a 4.03 ERA.
The Cubs were leading the National League Central entering play on Sunday. However, the team may be interested in bringing in another option to close games, and preferably one with club control.
Pressly will be a free agent after the season, and FanSided’s Christopher Kline suggested the Cubs swing a blockbuster trade for Athletics’ flamethrower Mason Miller to “end their Ryan Pressly Nightmare.”
Miller, 26, was an All-Star last season and is under club control through 2029. His ERA is not as good as last season, but he still has an elite arsenal and would be a huge boost to any bullpen. He has a 5.02 ERA on the year.
“It has been so rough that you can argue the Cubs would be better off targeting a more immediate and well-proven solution like Bednar or Bird,” wrote Kline. “But in the end, Miller’s arsenal and potential longevity makes him something of a dream addition, even if he has a few kinks left to work through in the near future. If Chicago can tempt the A’s into the right package of prospects, Miller has a chance to headline the Cubs bullpen for many years to come.”
Trading a prospect haul for Miller would allow the Cubs to adopt a closer-by-committee approach, and then see him take over as the closer after Pressly’s contract expires.
Last season, Miller had a 2.49 ERA in 55 games and a 0.877 WHIP. He notched 28 saves on the season.
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