Cubs Reportedly Sign Former Twins OF Ian Miller

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs have signed 27-year-old outfielder Ian Miller to a minor-league deal. A former 14th round draft pick, Miller spent nearly seven seasons in the Mariners organization before being picked up by the Twins. He hit .233 in 69 plate appearances for Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate before being called up for 17 MLB plate appearances late in the season.

Free-agent outfielder Ian Miller signs minor-league deal with #Cubs, source says. Finished last season with #MNTwins.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 19, 2019

Miller has a .697 OPS across 2,683 minor-league at-bats and can play all three outfield positions with an emphasis on center. He was outrighted off the Twins’ 40-man roster in late October and will now get a chance to give the Cubs a little organizational depth and a burst of speed. While he doesn’t figure to be much of a factor in 2020, Miller has stolen 243 bases in the minors and could serve as the designated baserunner late in the season.

But if we’re being honest, the big positive here is that it’s not Ian Stewart.