A few weekend minor league signings to share, in addition to the Chris Valaika and Aaron Cunningham deals, which have already been discussed …
Eli Whiteside was, at one time, a decent back-up catcher with the Giants. That time was brief and several years ago, and Whiteside is now a 34-year-old backstop who hit .187/.242/.280 last year at AAA for the Rangers. The Cubs grabbed him on a minor league deal, and he’ll get a Spring Training invite, too. At most, Whiteside is the third catcher on the depth chart (behind Welington Castillo and whomever the Cubs get to be his backup), and will see time at AAA Iowa. The Cubs’ system is extremely thin at catcher, so there should probably be a couple more moves like this on the way.
Jeudy Valdez is a former Padres prospect (there’s your Hoyer/McLeod/Madison connection) who hit .251/.300/.406 at AAÂ last year while playing shortstop. He’s just 24, so this is more in the way of a true minor league signing. Valdez provides middle infield depth, while also offering the teeniest, tiniest possibility of upside. (Signing per Chris Cotillo.)
Water Ibarra is another middle infielder, albeit one who can play all over. He’s light with the stick – career .271/.313/.364 minor league line – but offers versatility. Ibarra just turned 26, and figures to be depth at AAA, though he’s getting an invite to Spring Training. Together with Valdez and Valaika, that’s a huge amount of middle infield depth to be adding in the upper minors on these kinds of deals. The Cubs have Javier Baez and Arismendy Alcantara already holding down those spots at AAA as starters, together with Logan Watkins mixed in somehow. They’ve got Christian Villanueva and Mike Olt to figure spots for, and a big league roster that features Starlin Castro, Darwin Barney, Luis Valbuena, and Donnie Murphy. It’s fair to wonder if there is an expectation that, this offseason, some of those numbers will dwindle. I guess “expectation” is probably too strong of a word – I think it’s fair to say that everyone recognizes the possibility that moves could be made.
A reminder for the uppity among you: every team in baseball signs a dozen or more minor league free agents throughout the offseason. It’s part of having a complete minor league system (and having some vets mixed in with the youngsters, which helps protect against untimely promotions and also offers some mentoring opportunities). Your jokes about the Cubs now making the World Series are not only hacky and unfunny, they also miss the point.
Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here.
Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.
It's Mother's Day. I'm hanging with the family. I don't feel like being as pissed off as a game like that threatened to make me. So I am QUITE relieved by that 10th inning (and the fact that the Cubs...
I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082
CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...
No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...
Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...
The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...
The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...
CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...
Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...
How did I not know that the Aurora Borealis was going to be visible last night?!?!? I woke up this morning to all these awesome pictures from friends and other people in the area, and I'm MISERABLE ABOUT IT. With...
With two Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round games on the NHL card Monday, you have plenty of chances to place an anytime goal-scorer wager. Keep scrolling for the odds on players from each matchup.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime...
The Edmonton Oilers welcome the Vancouver Canucks on May 14 at 9:30 PM ET, and have been made -218 favorites, with the visiting team at +180.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Oilers vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-218)Underdog: Canucks (+180)Total: 6.5Best...
It's a bittersweet season for the Oakland Athletics. As they prepare to begin their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the A's are looking to make their final year at the Coliseum one to remember. With a little...
On Monday, in a series opener at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Jose Soriano starts for the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) against Matthew Liberatore and the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24), with first pitch scheduled for 9:38 PM ET.The article below will...
The Seattle Mariners (22-19), led by Josh Rojas, host Bobby Witt Jr. and the Kansas City Royals (25-17) at 9:40 PM ET on Monday.See how to watch the Seattle-Kansas City matchup below.When is Mariners vs. Royals and when does it...
Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) host Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) on Monday in a series opener, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...
Jurickson Profar and the San Diego Padres (22-21) host Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (12-28) on Monday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the...
Gavin Stone will take the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15) when they visit starting pitcher Jordan Hicks and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) in a series opener on Monday, with first pitch at 9:45 PM ET.Keep reading to...
The Cleveland Guardians are on the road, opening a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET.Rangers vs. Guardians Series Info Guardians @ Rangers Time: Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET Rangers Starting...
The San Francisco Giants will be hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 9:45 PM ET on Monday, May 13.Giants vs. Dodgers Series Info Dodgers @ Giants Time: Monday, May 13...
NEWSLETTER
A few weekend minor league signings to share, in addition to the Chris Valaika and Aaron Cunningham deals, which have already been discussed …
