Failed Cubs Hitter Signs with Mets

The Chicago Cubs non-tendered infielder Nick Madrigal last November following another disappointing season on the north side Well-below average performance at the plate coupled with leg injuries led to Madrigal's eventual dismissal from the team, but despite the down numbers he was able to land an MLB deal this offseason.

Well, kind of. Madrigal signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets and it's a split-deal. Madrigal gets a spot on New York's 40-man roster and as long as he remains on the active roster with the Mets he'll earn the pro-rated amount of his MLB deal. However, Madrigal, who does have one option year left, will see a lower pay rate if he's sent down to the minor leagues.

Madrigal deal is for $1.35M with a chance at $500K in performance bonuses. https://t.co/EYxo0CILNp

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 31, 2025

Madrigal only played in 51 games with the Cubs in 2024. The right-handed hitter slashed .221/.280/.250, a 57 wRC+ in 94 plate appearances before he was optioned to Triple-A in early June. Unfortunately for him, Madrigal fractured his left hand in his first game back with the Iowa Cubs after a 97mph fastball drilled him. Madrigal missed the rest of the regular season.

The former No. 4 pick of the 2018 MLB Draft will now try to compete for a bench spot on his third team in the pros. Madrigal played his first 1.5 seasons with the White Sox and was traded to the Cubs at the 2021 trade deadline along with right-handed reliever Codi Heuer in exchange for Craig Kimbrel.

Madrigal, who was recovering from hamstring surgery in 2021, did not make his debut with the Cubs until the 2022 season. In three years with the Cubs he slashed .251/.304/.312, in 616 plate appearances, posting a 76 wRC+.

I hate to rag on a guy, but Madrigal just never came close to providing much value let alone being good for the Cubs at the time when he came with so much hype following his brief, but at least somewhat productive stint with the White Sox. The injuries certainly played a part in some of his struggles, but the mental mistakes, poor base running and all around awful hitting were too much to put up with and that eventually led to a diminished role on the team last year.

Who knows, maybe Madrigal just needs a change of scenery, but he's far removed from being considered a productive player at the major league level. We'll see if that changes with the Mets.