CHICAGO — The Cubs have little competition for starting positions on the diamond, but establishing depth behind the primary cast has remained a top concern for the front office as Spring Training approaches. Injecting some experience into the bench group would be a vital step in that process. The Cubs announced on Tuesday that veteran infielder Jon Berti has signed a one-year contract that includes a $2 million base salary and up to $1.3 million in incentives, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Berti plans to be a member of Chicago’s bench, providing depth at numerous positions.
In order to make room on the 40-man roster for Berti, the Cubs designated infielder Luis Vazquez for assignment. Berti is exactly the type of guy the front management mentioned as a target at the Cubs Convention earlier this month. “We’ll just try to continue to bring in guys who can play multiple positions in the infield, give us that depth,” Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said at the fan fest. “Guys that would have experience of being able to play a Major League season and just gives us different alternatives.”
Berti, 35, has played in seven Major League seasons, including stints with the Blue Jays, Marlins, and Yankees. He led the MLB in stolen bases (41) in 2022, hit.294 with 26 extra-base hits and 16 thefts in 133 games in ’23, and appeared in 25 games in ’24 (recording a.342 on-base percentage). Berti batted.273/.342/.318 in 74 plate appearances for the Yankees last season, spending the most of his time at third base. He also has extensive MLB experience playing second base and shortstop, as well as all three outfield positions. Berti has a career.259/.337/.366 batting line with 97 steals and a 92 OPS+ across 461 games.
During Cubs Con, Hawkins stated that the front office sought to construct a “safety net” at third base, where Matt Shaw (Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect and No. 22 on the Top 100 list) would have a shot to earn the starting job. Berti can provide that protection at third while also presenting an alternative at second while Nico Hoerner recovers from October surgery (flexor tendon in right forearm).
Infield depth possibilities on the Cubs’ 40-man roster include Vidal Bruján (acquired from the Marlins earlier this summer), Gage Workman (added via the Rule 5 Draft), and Ben Cowles (Pipeline’s No. 25 Cubs prospect, added to the roster this winter). The 25-year-old Vazquez was cut from the Cubs’ roster after just appearing in 11 games last season. The infielder appeared in 64 games for Triple-A Iowa, hitting.263 with eight home runs, 16 doubles, and 24 RBIs while playing second, third, and shortstop.
The timetable of Hoerner’s return is unknown; he stated at Cubs Con that he has yet to begin hitting or throwing. The Cubs’ season begins earlier than normal, with the Japan Series versus the Dodgers on March 18-19 in Tokyo. The more conventional opening game for Chicago will be on March 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hoerner stated that he hopes to be ready for the start of the season, but that he will proceed with caution during his rehabilitation.
“I’m happy with the progress that I’m making,” Hoerner remarked during the Cubs Convention. “It’s hard not to start projecting out from day one. I believe that rushing this process will be detrimental to both myself and the team. I believe it is in my tendency to push in that direction, but straight up reps, work ethic, and effort do not truly cure your tendons. Patience is also very important.”
Leave a Reply