Tyson Miller quietly emerging as Cubs' trade chip at MLB Trade Deadline

The Chicago Cubs shouldn't be buying at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline and when the decision is between whether the Cubs should stand pat or sell, it's an easy one.

Standing pat never makes sense for a team playing in a season that has otherwise been lost. While the Cubs may not have the star power to make the aggressive selling moves that Jed Hoyer accomplished at the Trade Deadline during the 2021 season, the team has several players who could be flipped without jeopardizing the long-term direction of the team.

At the top of the list may be Tyson Miller, who the Cubs claimed off waivers earlier this season in an effort to stabilize a sinking bullpen.

Miller was designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners, a move that was more due to the Mariners' roster crunch than to the pitcher's performance. Miller's success with the Cubs this season has made that apparent. In 17 appearances out of the Cubs' bullpen this season, Miller has posted a 1.93 ERA.

Tyson Miller should be moved by the Cubs at the MLB Trade Deadline.

In an interesting turn of events, the Cubs moving Miller would be similar to when the Kansas City Royals dealt Jose Cuas to the North Siders last season at the deadline. Ideally, the Cubs can find a prospect who is ready for the Major League level at a position of need but is blocked within his current organization.

As for the notion of the Cubs needing bullpen help and if they are planning on contending this season, Miller would be an asset, that doesn't really prevent such a deal from happening at this deadline. Especially for a Cubs' team that has a plethora of pitching prospects at the Triple-A level that could step in as early as the second half of the season. Not to mention, the current relievers that the Cubs have on the injured list in Caleb Kilian, Yency Almonte, and Julian Merryweather all likely factoring into the 2025 bullpen plans.