Completely forgotten member of the 2026 Cubs elects minor league free agency

The bench mix for the Chicago Cubs was a relative strength this year, headlined by the likes of Michael Conforto, Pedro Ramirez, Matt Shaw and, in the second half, Tyrone Taylor. So, forgive me if this year's jack-of-all-trades depth option Owen Miller didn't come to mind when I thought of the supporting cast.

After all, Miller appeared in just one August game for the big-league club after being stashed at Triple-A Iowa all summer. With the Cubs' top minor-league affiliate, he put up solid numbers, slashing .295/.345/.443 while displaying his usual defensive versatility. Miller spent time in both the infield and outfield and will now look to turn that strong showing into a new opportunity.

The former third-rounder elected minor-league free agency this week, ending his brief stint with the Cubs organization after just one year. Miller stands a good chance at getting a look as a bench piece with another club, especially with his offensive performance at Iowa in 2026. There's always the outside chance Chicago brings him back, but he'll first test the waters of the open market.

In parts of six MLB seasons, Miller has appeared in games for the Cubs, Rockies, Guardians and Brewers and has continued to get opportunities largely because of his work with the glove. He's always been a below-average bat at the big-league level, but there's always a job for a guy who can play defense and do it well.

Cubs' bench mix could look very different heading into 2027

If Seiya Suzuki and/or Ian Happ walk in free agency, early reports indicate Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramirez could play larger roles for the Cubs in 2027. That would potentially remove two important bench pieces from the mix, which could mean new faces coming into the mix to backfill the depth chart.

There's always a chance we see Josiah Hartshorn or Owen Ayers - maybe BJ Murray gets another look. But there's always room for these Owen Miller-like additions, especially late in the offseason as guys look for opportunities before camp. The CBA talks will complicate that, but expect the Cubs to find someone with a similar skillset heading into 2027. Depth is always important and that won't change anytime soon.

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