With clear signals that the team will not be spending heavy on free agents, the front office has started to sign AAA players.
| Date | Transaction |
|---|---|
| 11/12/13 | Cubs signed free agent C Eli Whiteside to a minor league contract. |
| 11/11/13 | Cubs signed free agent RF Aaron Cunningham to a minor league contract. |
| Cubs signed free agent SS Walter Ibarra to a minor league contract. | |
| 11/04/13 | Cubs activated RHP Kyuji Fujikawa |
| RHP Arodys Vizcaino and | |
| 1B Mat Gamel from the 60-day disabled list. |
They may be looking to find journeymen talent in these signings like Bogusevic or Sweeney last season in which to fill a need during the 2014 season. Cunningham fits that cookie cutter mold.
Gamel was the hot prospect from the Brewers organization who flamed out mostly due to injury. He may be targeted to back up Rizzo at first base. Whiteside could compete with J.C. Boscan for the back up catcher role since free agent Navarro is getting a lot of interest from other teams. The signing of Ibarra, a speedy defensive tools player, may not forebode a change at second base with Barney, but there are rumors that Barney's starting job is not safe for 2014.
Fujikawa will be slated to be the new Cubs closer, barring any set backs. Strop appears to be the set up man in the bullpen. Vizcaino has had numerous set backs coming off surgery with the Braves. The Cubs traded for the injured pitcher and he has yet to make a major league appearance. No one can really count on him contributing in 2014.
