JANUARY 13 • MLB.COM
CHICAGO CUBS
74-88 · 2022 3RD IN NL CENTRAL
How this 'extreme' player will fit on '23 Cubs This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian's Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regula...
Nick Madrigal - Avoids arbitration Madrigal and the Cubs agreed on a one-year, $1.225 million contract Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Impact The 25-year-old struggled to stay healthy in 2022, batting .249 with seven doubles, seven RBI, 19 runs and three stolen bases over 209 at-bats in 59 games with the Cubs. With the addition of Dansby Swanson this offseason, Madrigal does not have direct path to a starting spot in the infield, though he will likely rotate in and out of the lineup in a variety of spots including designated hitter in 2023.
JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE
Mike Tauchman - Signs minor-league pact with Cubs Tauchman signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Friday.
Impact It seems likely that Tauchman was given an invitation to major-league spring training as part of the deal. The 32-year-old spent 2022 in Korea following a disappointing showing in 2021 with the Yankees and Giants. Tauchman is a solid defender at all three outfield spots and has flashed offensively in the past, which could give him a decent chance to win a reserve job in Chicago.
JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE
Mark Leiter Jr. - DFA'd by Cubs Leiter was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday.
Impact The team needed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Eric Hosmer. Leiter had a solid 2022 season, posting a 3.99 ERA and 73:25 K:BB over 67.2 innings, picking up three saves along the way. There might be some interest in him on waivers.
JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE
Eric Hinske joins Mets as assistant hitting coach
Eric Hinske is joining the New York Mets as assistant hitting coach in manager Buck Showalter’s staff, Eric Chavez is switching to bench coach and Dom Chiiti is becoming bullpen co...JANUARY 12 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vinny Nittoli - Receives camp invite Nittoli signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Impact Nittoli was recently let go by the Phillies after being removed from the 40-man roster, and it didn't take him long to latch on with a new team. The 32-year-old appeared in just two big-league games last season and had a 3.81 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 64:14 K:BB across 52 innings at the Triple-A level.
JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE
Kyle Hendricks career timeline Career timeline: Kyle Hendricks
JANUARY 11 • MLB.COM
Wade Miley would earn all bonuses for pitching 150 innings
Wade Miley would earn all of his $1.5 million in performance bonuses if he pitches 150 innings this season as part of his $4.5 million, one-year contract with the Milwaukee BrewersJANUARY 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kimbrel guaranteed $10M in Philadelphia Phillies contract
Reliever Craig Kimbrel will get $10 million from his one-year contract with the Philadelphia PhilliesJANUARY 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rich Hill guaranteed $8M as part of contract with Pirates
Left-hander Rich Hill is guaranteed $8 million in his one-year contract with the Pittsburgh PiratesJANUARY 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Smyly could earn up to $41.5M over 3 years in Cubs contract
Left-hander Drew Smyly could earn up to $41.5 million over three years from his contract with the Chicago Cubs if he pitches 150 innings annually, and catcher Tucker Barnhart could...JANUARY 11 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
What's the Cubs' plan? They're finally giving some answers and showing a direction You might not like all the answers, but the Cubs have a plan. Now it just has to work.
JANUARY 11 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Paul Sullivan: Cubs fans will finally get to hear from Tom Ricketts — even if they don't like the answers CHICAGO — It has been five long years since Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts held a question-and-answer session with fans at the Cubs Conv...
JANUARY 11 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
Column: Chicago Cubs fans finally get their chance to ask Chairman Tom Ricketts about his team's decision making For the first time in five years, Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts once again will answer fans' questions at the Cubs Convention.
JANUARY 10 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Can the Cubs' offense compensate for its lack of power in 2023? Infusing power into the Cubs lineup might be Jed Hoyer's biggest task over the next year.
JANUARY 10 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Miley feeling better as he agrees to 2nd stint with Brewers
Left-handed pitcher Wade Miley says he’s feeling healthy again on his return to Milwaukee and is eager to match the success he had during his last stint with the BrewersJANUARY 9 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Emphasis on run prevention sold catcher Tucker Barnhart on Chicago Cubs, who also added 1B Eric Hosmer on a low-risk deal The Chicago Cubs developed a clear offseason strategy to improve their run prevention. Signing center fielder Cody Bellinger and shortstop D...
JANUARY 8 • TWINCITIES.COM
Emphasis on run prevention sold catcher Tucker Barnhart on Chicago Cubs, who also added 1B Eric Hosmer on a low-risk deal The Chicago Cubs developed a clear offseason strategy to improve their run prevention. Signing center fielder Cody Bellinger and shortstop D...
JANUARY 8 • MERCURYNEWS.COM
Patrick Mooney: Cubs roster moves: • Catcher PJ Higgins was... - The Athletic Cubs roster moves: • Catcher PJ Higgins was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa after clearing waivers. • First baseman Alfonso Rivas was granted hi...
JANUARY 6 • THEATHLETIC.COM
P.J. Higgins - Outrighted to Triple-A HIggins cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.
Impact Higgins had been designated for assignment last week in order to clear a spot on the roster for fellow catcher Tucker Barnhart. He'll remain in the organization.
JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE
A Pair of Smart, Overlooked Signings Highlight This Week in MLB The baseball year has began rather quietly, at least compared to the frenetic pace of free agency last month. As of this morning, the two mo...
JANUARY 6 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Ohtani, Darvish, Suzuki on Japan World Baseball Classic team
Japan officials have named 12 members of their World Baseball Classic team who will represent the country later this yearJANUARY 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dansby Swanson and the Cubs' strategy to add more leadership to their clubhouse The Cubs are being intentional about adding more leadership elements to the Wrigley Field clubhouse.
JANUARY 6 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Lynn Williams returns to US women's team after injury
Forward Lynn Williams and defender Emily Sonnett have returned to the U.S. women’s national soccer team for a training camp in New Zealand in preparation for this summer’s World Cu...JANUARY 5 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dom Nuñez - Lands minor-league deal with Cubs Nunez signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs on Monday.
Impact Nunez has made major-league appearances for the Rockies in three of the last four seasons but was claimed off waivers by the Giants in early November before being designated for assignment a week later. He'll now join the Cubs organization, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him serve as a non-roster invitee during spring training.
JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE
