The Cubs have been busy this off-season signing players to minor league contracts. It can give one perspective in the shortcomings of the minors as well as areas of concern on the current major league roster. Whether these signings are an upgrade in minor league positions is always debatable. But from the type of signings, it is clear that the front office is looking closely at several positions.
November signings:
LF Darnell McDonald to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
LF Casper Wells to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
LHP Jeffrey Antigua to a minor league contract.
2B Chris Valika to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Carlos Pimentel to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RHP Paolo Espino to a minor league contract.
2B Jeudy Valdez to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
C Eli Whiteside to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
SS Walter Ibarra to a minor league contract.
RF Aaron Cunningham to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
December signings:
claimed RHP Brett Marshall off waivers from Yankees
2B Ryan Roberts to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
CF Mitch Maier to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
C John Baker to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
LHP Tommy Hottovy to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
LF Ryan Kalish to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
January signings:
RHP Chang-Yong Lim to a minor league contract.
1B Lars Anderson to a minor league contract.
LHP James McDonald to a minor league contract.
Here is a few comments I glean from these moves:
Left field is a major focal point. Junior Lake may not be the answer, so the Cubs have stockpiled outfielders at that position who have major league experience (McDonald, Wells, and Kalish). It also points out that the 5th outfielder spot is still an open competition in spring training.
Second base is also a concern despite Barney's renewal. Valika, Valdez and Roberts all have spring invites, possibly to push Barney and/or get a utility infield spot on the bench.
Catcher is an organizational weakness and the signings of Whiteside and Baker for AAA duty is a sign that Kottaras may not be the full season solution to replace Navarro. It is also insurance for Castillo's nagging injury concerns.
The Cubs major league bullpen seems to be both set and in flux. Pimentel, Espino, Marshall, Hottovy, McDonald and Lim may get one of the bullpen slots if they have a hot spring and impress new manager Renteria.
Lars Anderson's signing is desperate insurance in case Rizzo goes down. For the last two years, Anderson has played down to a classic AAAA player.
The signings also point to a churn in the minor league system. The numbers being signed in a few positions is like overloading on prospects hoping one will hit his talent upside.
But these signings also stress that these players are really plug-ins when the front office attempts to sell off its most valuable assets prior to the trade deadline. The candidates for trades this year include Samardzija, Veras, Schierholtz, Ruggiano (if he has a hot start in CF), Lake (as part of a package deal for better prospects), or Barney (for a club looking for defense).
But for some unknown reason, the Cubs this week waived both Marshall and Brooks Raley. Marshall was claimed by the Reds and Raley claimed by the Twins. Both were on the 40 man roster, so the front office may be opening space to sign free agents.
