Gabriel Arias just swiped a former Guardian's Cubs roster spot after very minimal impact 

This is the time of year where there are plenty of MLB roster moves that have little to no impact on the story of the 2026 season. While every player’s addition to an MLB roster spot is a tangible example of the work they’ve put in, not every move is one of consequence. 

Take Owen Miller’s recent promotion, for example. Earlier this week, the Cubs quietly selected Miller’s contract in response to starting shortstop Dansby Swanson going on the injured list with an oblique strain. 

But that call up clearly didn’t mean the Cubs trusted him in the same way they did Swanson since he made one, single-inning appearance during the Cubs’ three-game series against the White Sox. 

And that apperance will be it for him on South Side of Chicago now that the Cubs claimed Gabriel Arias off waivers to fill out their infield depth while Swanson is on the shelf. 

Six years ago, Miller and Arias came to Cleveland together as a part of Cleveland’s trade fleece of the Padres. Now the Cubs’ addition of Arias brought about the end to Miller’s (short) stay with the Cubs. 

Gabriel Arias' addition to the Cubs' roster came at Owen Miller's expense

Even if Miller didn’t do anything with the Cubs, the mere fact he worked his way onto their roster is an accomplishment.

Miller’s appearance with the Cubs marked his first big league action since he played in nine games with the Rockies last spring. 

Miller first broke into the big leagues with Cleveland in 2021, and played in 130 games in 2022 as the team’s main utility option. 

He posted a .243/.301/.351 slashline with six home runs and 51 RBI in that season along with tallying 11 at-bats in the postseason. 

The Guardians traded him to the Brewers after the season, and he played in 104 games with the Brewers across the 2023 and ‘24 campaigns. That set up his brief MLB cameo with the Rockies last season. 

He’s spent all of this season with the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate, and has an .806 OPS with seven home runs and 57 RBI. 

Some solid production, sure, but the Cubs’ decision to go with Arias over him is a bit of a no-brainer considering Arias has more than 1,000 MLB at-bats under his belt and has a good throwing arm and some strong exit velocity numbers. 

But even if Arias gets more playing time than Miller (it would be hard for him not to), he’s likely going to be a utility option behind current Nico Hoerner and rookie Pedro Ramírez. 

Arias may not have been able to live up to his potential with the Guardians, but he’s going to get a shot on a Cubs team that’s clearly playing for October.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow