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The Cubs haven’t really been busy so far this offseason, as Daniel Descalso has been their lone acquisition to the big-league roster. In the past couple days they have signed a few players to minor-league deals, including two familiar names.
Last offseason the Cubs brought in right-handed pitcher Allen Webster. He used to be a top pitching prospect and was actually brought up as a potential trade piece when the Cubs were shopping around Ryan Dempster. Anyway, Webster was trying to make a comeback and did reach the majors in 2018, pitching in three games in September.
Webster had a 2.65 ERA in 17 innings down in the minors for the Cubs before he was called up after Pedro Strop went down with a leg injury in the middle of September.
The Cubs are bringing Webster back and will have an outside chance to possibly win a bullpen spot in spring training.
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Allen Webster signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs
— Brandon Warne (@Brandon_Warne) December 20, 2018
Webster was non-tendered him earlier in the offseason, but the two sides obviously feel comfortable with each other to reunite on a minor-league deal and see if he can continue his comeback.
The Cubs also added some infield depth to their farm system, signing Phillip Evans.
Source: For additional infield depth, the Cubs have signed Phillip Evans to a minor-league deal. Evans, 26, played briefly for the Mets in 2017 and 2018 and posted an .820 OPS at their Triple-A affiliate this year.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) December 19, 2018
Javier Baez is going to be the starting shortstop for the Cubs going forward. Addison Russell’s situation is completely fucked up and there’s just no way the team will keep him. So, the Cubs need as much depth at shortstop as possible. Even with the signing of Descalso, the Cubs still lack a true backup for Baez, with Descalso not starting at shortstop since 2016, but I guess he can give El Mago a breather from time to time.
Yet, the organization still needs some extra depth at the position, so Phillip Evans basically becomes the new Mike Freeman.
Evans only has 54 MLB at-bats coming with the Mets in 2017-18. The right-handed hitter doesn’t have eye-popping numbers in the minors, but he’s been fairly decent in the past three years in the minors. For the Cubs, Evans provides yet another guy who can play all over the field and is primarily a shortstop.
Evans has started 318 games at shortstop, 146 at third base, 133 at second and even 19 starts in left field during his pro career.
The Cubs also picked up 36-year-old lefty Mike Zagurski.
#Cubs Cubs signed LHP Mike Zagurski to a minor league contract. https://t.co/Q1qiobeqlu
— MLB Daily Lineups (@DailyMLBLineups) December 20, 2018
I have no clue why.
And there’s your Cubs offseason update because nothing else has happened. But hey, I guess it’s still early.
So, Harper still hasn't signed and teams are trying not get into a crazy bidding war, hoping to drive his price down you say…hmmm pic.twitter.com/raaPA7zuF6
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) December 18, 2018
