The Chicago Cubs and Seattle Mariners executed a two-player trade that sends INF Jake Slaughter to the Pacific Northwest and brings RHP Tyson Miller to the north side of the Windy City. The early season injuries for both teams contributed to the desire to get this deal done. The May trade offers a tweak for both sides as they angle to get themselves in position to make a late season playoff push.
Chicago Cubs Farm Prospect Returns
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The Chicago Cubs drafted Tyson Miller in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of California Baptist University. The 28-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut with the Cubs, but over the course of two seasons, including the COVID-19 season, Miller bounced around the minor and major league teams and the alternate site. The next season, in 2021, the Cubs designated Miller for assignment, and his journey beyond the Chicago Cubs began.
Miller was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers at the beginning of June 2021, and his tour around the league was underway. From Texas, Miller was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers, traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, subsequently waived by LA, and picked up by the New York Mets before going back to the Dodgers at the end of last season. In the offseason, Miller signed with the Seattle Mariners and, after not getting a roster invite to spring training, made it to the major leagues early in the season.
Miller found success in the Seattle Mariners bullpen, clipping a 3.09 ERA in 11 2/3 IP. When the Mariners needed to make room on the 26-man roster for RP Bryan Woo, Miller was designated for assignment, as he had no remaining options. The Chicago Cubs took advantage and brought Miller back to the club in exchange for IF Jake Slaughter.
Seattle Mariners Trade for Slaughter
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Jake Slaughter was selected in the 18th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of LSU by the Chicago Cubs. Coming out of a college baseball power, the anticipation was good for a player drafted where Slaughter was, but expectations were not high for the 21-year-old slugger. For his first few years in professional baseball, Slaughter was underwhelming. However, after a successful 2022 season across two levels, he impressed the Chicago Cubs enough to get a shot at AAA. In 2023, his production started to show signs of a potential big-league hitter.
Slaughter’s combination of power and speed has produced results in AAA in the year-plus he’s been with the Iowa Cubs. In 104 games last year, Slaughter hit .243 with a .340 OBP and a .482 SLG, launching 22 home runs and swiping 16 bases. It doesn’t appear that 2023 was an outlier. In 32 games to open the 2024 season in Iowa, Slaughter has slashed .297/.392/.486 while belting five homers and stealing ten bases.
Slaughter will be in the Seattle Mariners minor league system for the time being. If the Mariners continue to struggle producing offense, especially from the infield positions, Slaughter provides an option for the playoff hopeful in the AL West.
What Now?
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Tyson Miller made his return to the Chicago Cubs official Tuesday night in Atlanta when he made a relief appearance for the major league club. Miller tossed two scoreless innings, only allowing one hit. To make room for Miller on the 40 and 26-man roster, Chicago designated LHP Richard Lovelady for assignment. Lovelady had appeared in seven games for the Cubs, going 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA and 1.94 WHIP in 5 2/3 innings of work.
The trade will also be a lateral move for Jake Slaughter, who will reside in Tacoma with the Seattle Mariners’ AAA affiliate, the Rainiers. With the Cubs prospect pipeline, it’s unlikely that Slaughter would’ve been able to crack the majors in Chicago. With the Mariners, the 27-year-old infielder has a better chance of making it to the show.
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