There are now only three teams that haven't signed a free agent player to a fully guaranteed MLB contract this offseason. Those are the Rockies, Pirates and Cubs!
This thrilling offseason for Cubs fans has included several minor league deals to AAAA players, reclamation projects and simply buy-low guys to add depth to the bench.
That's the case for their latest signing, as the Cubs have agreed to a minor league deal with 28-year-old Carlos Asuaje.
So, ugh, there's another guy who'll compete for the last spot on the roster this season.
Asuaje has played in 175 MLB games over three seasons with the Padres. The left-handed hitter makes a lot of contact, (81.7% contact rate) but that hasn't really translated into success, slashing .240/.312/.329. His best season came in 2017, when Asuaje had a .334 OBP and 88 wRC+. So, at least he walks at a decent rate, 9% BB rate for his career.
Fun fact. Did you know that Asuaje has a higher career OBP than Albert Almora Jr.?!?!
Who says the Cubs aren't upgrading their roster this offseason.
Anyway, the current Cubs bench situation for 2020 is less than ideal.
Of course, you'd hope that the Cubs actually begin the season with Nico Hoerner on the 26-man roster, but they're all about saving money this year so who knows.
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