There might be something to the Javier Baez to Atlanta rumors after all.
The Chicago Sun-Times’ Gordon Wittenmyer reported early Tuesday morning that a source indicated that the Cubs were close to striking a deal with the Braves that would send Baez to Atlanta for starting pitcher Shelby Miller.
Previous Sun-Times reports indicated that the Braves were head over heels for Jorge Soler, but that the Cubs preferred to deal Baez instead.
Jorge Soler to the Braves may not be as perfect as expectedNo deal had been finalized by 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, though a tweet from MLB insider Jon Heyman suggested one could still be in the works.
braves were meeting late into night and reportedly made progress. a trade w/ shelby miller could happen as soon as today.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 8, 2015
The deal may be held up by offers from other teams. The Diamondbacks, who just added ace Zack Greinke, are also pushing hard for Miller, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale:
The #Dbacks still hoping to land #Braves Shelby Miller today
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 8, 2015
According to Wittenmyer, a second source indicated the deal wasn’t as close to being done as perhaps thought, and that the teams are still discussing Soler as well.
Soler still in play with Braves talks.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) December 8, 2015
Miller, 25, had a career-best 3.02 ERA in 2015 as he was elected an all-star despite leading the league in losses.
Baez, 23, batted .289 in 28 games with the Cubs this season. The Cubs selected the infielder with the ninth overall pick of the 2011 draft and he was once considered the top prospect in Chicago’s organization.
A report on Monday indicated that the Tampa Bay Rays were also interested in Baez.
Report: Cubs, Rays discussing trade involving Javier Baez2015-2016 Wrigley renovation photos
Stats via Baseball-Reference.
