Cards Bring Back Miles

Utility infielder, Aaron Miles, re-signed with the Cardinals today after being non-tendered late last month.  The contract is for one year at $1.4 million. This will be Miles’ third season with the Birds on the Bat.  He filled an important role on both the ’06 and ’07 teams, getting playing time at second, short, third, and he even pitched a couple of innings last season.  In 2007, Miles hit .290 and scored 55 runs.  He also committed 14 errors, including three in one inning.  His career stats can be found here.  Derrick Goold, of the Post Dispatch, has more about the deal here.

I must say, I don’t really understand this move.  I think Aaron Miles is a good utility infielder, and will obviously welcome him to the team, but with Adam Kennedy, Brendan Ryan, and Scott Spiezio all returning from last season, as well as the addition of Cesar Izturis and the minor league contract given to D’Angelo Jimenez, I don’t see room on the roster for Miles.  Also, let’s not forget about Jarrett Hoffpauir, our second base prospect approaching an opportunity for playing time.  Why spend $1.4 million on Miles when we have basically the same player in Brendan Ryan already on the team for much less money?  I hope this doesn’t mean that Ryan starts the year in AAA.  Perhaps we’ll see another move in the coming days involving one of our middle infielders.  If not, maybe we can try to field an entire team with nothing but infielders.  I bet Jose Oquendo would like that.

In other news, the contract details for yesterday’s signing of pitcher Matt Clement have been released.  He’ll receive $1.5 million in base pay, with a possible $5.25 million in incentives based on appearances.  The ’09 option would be for $8.75 million with a $250,000 buyout.  C70 has more on that here.