“Hey, we’ve got a lot of lefty platoon-type outfielders, and we could use a righty platoon-type outfielder, so … ”
That deal the Cubs had out there for a position player was just completed, and it saw outfielder Brian Bogusevic going to the Marlins for outfielder Justin Ruggiano.
Ruggiano, 31, put up a .222/.298/.396 line for the Marlins last year, which is pretty amazing given that it featured a hitless streak of 42 at bats.
In all seriousness, Ruggiano is a solid right-handed bat, best utilized off the bench and as part of a platoon. His career line against lefties is .256/.328/.506, and he can play very well anywhere in the outfield. As a full-timer, he won’t kill you, so I guess that’s good, too.
He also made one of the most amazing catches you’ll ever see:
Ruggiano could split time with Ryan Sweeney in center, or with Nate Schierholtz in right. One of those spots, at least, was going to be a platoon, so Ruggiano was a necessary, solid addition. He’s arbitration eligible for the first time this year, so he’ll cost the Cubs something in the $1.5 to $2 million range. A slight increase from Bogusevic’s $500,000 or so. The Marlins sure do like to save money.
As for Bogusevic, he was facing a roster squeeze as the Cubs’ outfield was looking increasingly left-handed with Ryan Sweeney and Nate Schierholtz already slotted for starting jobs. He had a decent stretch with the Cubs last year, but it’s an open question whether his bat will ever play in the bigs.