Former Indian Grady Sizemore is confident he will sign a major league contract in the offseason. He has not played in the majors since 2011. A series of arm, knee and back injuries has derailed his career. At age 32, he will attempt a final comeback.
But what team will take a chance on a player who has not played a full season since 2008?
This profile fits in the Epstein rehab project mold. A chance to give a veteran an opportunity to prove he belongs, then trade him at the deadline for more prospects.
The Cubs have plenty of outfield depth in the minor league system with Jackson, Soler, Almora, Vogelbach and Bryant.
Stat mavens will notice that Sizemore has a career 27.5 WAR over 8 seasons or an average 3.44 WAR which is well above starter level. But his last full season was in 2008 when he hit 33 HR 90 RBI, .268 BA 5 SB. The next year in 106 games he dropped off to a .248 BA.
It would seem to be a longshot that Sizemore would come back to his pre-injury performance levels. Further, the Cubs will need to continue to push their theme of a "youth movement" and Sizemore would be a tough sell when budget constrictions are coming in 2014.
