Padres Reportedly Sign Ex-Cardinals Infielder To Bolster Depth For 2024 Season
The St. Louis Cardinals are a few short weeks away from beginning their campaign of bouncing back from one of the worst seasons in franchise history in 2023.
Despite the recent injury update of ace Sonny Gray, who will likely miss the Opening Day start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cardinals aren't worried and appear confident with their rejuvenated roster.
The Cardinals have retooled the pitching staff this winter and possess strong position player depth. It's no surprise to see the club pass on an opportunity to reunite with a former St. Louis infielder who has reportedly landed a deal with a National League foe.
"The (San Diego) Padres have signed longtime infielder Brad Miller to a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp," MLB.com's AJ Cassavell reported Tuesday.
Miller batted .232 with 16 extra-base hits including seven home runs, 25 RBIs and a .808 OPS while manning the positions of shortstop, third base and second base in 48 games played for St. Louis in the 2020 shortened season.
The 34-year-old has played for seven teams, including the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Cardinals and most recently the Texas Rangers.
The journeyman has logged a .236/.314/.416 slash line throughout his career and can certainly be a useful player, however, Miller has struggled with injuries the past two seasons -- having only played in 27 games last season and 81 the year prior.
A reunion with Miller wouldn't have made sense for the Cardinals as they recently signed four-time Gold Glove winner Brandon Crawford to bolster their infield depth and don't appear to require any further additions.
It's tough to see the Cardinals making any more moves this late in free agency but there's still a chance it could happen -- hopefully for more pitching depth.
More MLB: Cardinals Linked To Trio Of Starting Pitchers After Unfortunate Injury To Sonny Gray
