Cubs acquire Wade Miley off waivers from Reds

Wade Miley David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs acquire one-time All-Star LHP Wade Miley off waivers from Reds

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 11/5/21

The Chicago Cubs pitching staff was the 27th-ranked unit in terms of earned run average during the 2021 season. Chicago made a move on Friday afternoon that it hopes will help alleviate the issue during the 2022 campaign.

News: #Cubs acquire Wade Miley on waivers from #Reds. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 5, 2021

Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Miley's current contract has a $10 million club option for 2022, meaning that the Reds could have "picked it up, traded him and still accomplished their obvious goal of saving money."

Division rival Cubs score a coup by claiming Wade Miley off waivers from Reds. Cincinnati obviously is desperate to save money but why not pick up his $10M option and trade him? Had 6 WAR this year. Confounding!
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 5, 2021

The #Reds surrendering before season starts https://t.co/vOJU6MBAVI
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 5, 2021

Miley just wrapped up his 11th MLB season, a year that saw him go 12-7 with a 3.37 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. The lefty made 28 starts and allowed 17 home runs and 50 walks to go with 125 strikeouts in 163 innings pitched.

Of his eight seasons where he's pitched at least 150 innings, 2021 saw Miley post his lowest ERA since his lone All-Star campaign in 2012 when he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His WHIP was the lowest he's recorded in a full season since 2013.

Making matters worse, Cincinnati also likely said goodbye to slugging outfielder Nick Castellanos earlier this week when the All-Star opted out of his contract with the club.

More must-reads: