General manager Jim Hendry won’t sit still during the Dusty Baker negotiations.
Sources say Hendry has spoken to Diamondbacks officials about acquiring catcher Damian Miller, who fell out of favor in Arizona after making the All-Star team in July.
The Diamondbacks are looking to move Miller for two reasons: He is likely to make about $3.5 million next season through arbitration and they like their two other catchers, Rod Barajas and Chad Moeller.
Miller is one of several options for Hendry, who might have to unload Todd Hundley before he can acquire another catcher.
Miller, a lifelong Wisconsin resident, was selected to the All-Star team by Arizona manager Bob Brenly after hitting .263 with nine homers and 36 RBIs in the first half of the season.
Playing before his home-state crowd in Milwaukee, Miller hit two doubles in the game.
But then his season went south. He strained a muscle in his lower back, lost his role as Randy Johnson’s favorite receiver and batted just .205 the rest of the way.
Miller, 33, is a lifetime .269 hitter.
Although the Diamondbacks are thin in the outfield and could use another arm in the bullpen, they might settle for a pitching prospect in return for Miller.
Or the Cubs could wait until Dec. 20 to see if Arizona offers Miller a contract. If it doesn’t, he would become a free agent.
Not going anywhere
As for the silly rumor the Cubs might send Corey Patterson to the Marlins for third baseman Mike Lowell, sources say Hendry will not trade Patterson, period.
At 23, Patterson remains one of the most gifted young players in the National League. He’s also the Cubs’ only legitimate center fielder.
Patterson showed almost no plate discipline after the All-Star break, striking out 79 times while walking just twice.
But Hendry is intrigued by the strides Patterson could make under Baker, who has brought out the best in many players.
