The Chicago Cubs have finally added a big league contract to their bench, signing veteran utilityman Jon Berti to a one-year deal.
Berti, whose 35th birthday is today, was something of late-arriving big leaguer, not establishing himself as a bench guy until he was already 29. But, since then, he has usually been a nice contributor:
A split-neutral righty, Jon Berti has a 95 wRC+ for his career, is an asset on the bases, and he can play any position reasonably well (including shortstop as recently as 2023). He missed most of 2024 with a calf injury, and, given his age, that’s probably the biggest concern heading into 2025: can he still perform at the level he was at in the years before 2024, or was that the start of a decline? Hence a relatively modest deal.
On the one hand, I like the versatility that Berti brings to a Craig-Counsell-led team, and if he’s healthy and doesn’t fall off a cliff, Berti can help the Cubs in a lot of ways.
On the other hand … is this the main bench addition? Like, is this the guy who offers protection at third base for Matt Shaw’s development? At second base for Nico Hoerner’s health? Are we staring down the barrel of a Berti, Vidal Brujan, Alexander Canario, Other Catcher bench?
I’m gonna have to think on this for a moment. More on Berti soon.