It seems like the Cubs bring in a sure-handed shortstop type on a minor league deal every offseason, which is just good practice. You never know when injuries might start to derail your big league club, and since you can’t realistically get a shortstop with a good BAT on a minor league deal for depth, you might as well at least get a good glove.
This time around, it’s actually an old friend. Sergio Alcántara is back, signing a minor league deal with the organization, per the Cubs transaction log.
Alcántara, 26, spent the 2021 season with the Cubs, split between Triple-A (where he raaaaked) and MLB (where he did not). Without minor league options available, the Cubs decided to let him go after the season for the 40-man spot, and Alcántara spent 2022 split between the Diamondbacks and Padres. From there, it was back to free agency, as he’s just right there on the cusp of being a guy you want to keep on the 40-man, but nooooottt quite.
Although he’s just a .209/.281/.343/71 wRC+ career hitter in the big leagues, Alcántara has a superlative glove up the middle, and has shown he can hit in the upper minors. So even beyond a pure depth/break-glass-in-case-of-emergency move, there still might be big league bench upside here. Again, he’s only 26. Factor in the increasing importance of middle-infield defense with the shift restrictions, and I just really like this signing.