Berti signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cubs on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. A calf injury limited Berti to just 25 regular-season games in 2024, during which he slashed .273/.342/.318 with six RBI and five stolen bases across 74 plate appearances with the Yankees. Assuming he stays healthy this season, the 35-year-old infielder has a path to regular playing time in Chicago, which is facing some uncertainty at third base. However, he'll likely face some competition during spring training in the form of top prospect Matt Shaw.
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Berti signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Cubs on Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. A calf injury limited Berti to just 25 regular-season games in 2024, during which he slashed .273/.342/.318 with six RBI and five stolen bases across 74 plate appearances with the Yankees. Assuming he stays healthy this season, the 35-year-old infielder has a path to regular playing time in Chicago, which is facing some uncertainty at third base. However, he'll likely face some competition during spring training in the form of top prospect Matt Shaw.
The Cubs signed McGuire to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports. McGuire, who will turn 30 in March, sports a career .252/.300/.364 batting line over parts of seven major-league seasons. The veteran backstop will likely begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Iowa as catching depth.
Swanson (abdomen) expects to be a full participant in spring training, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic report. Swanson underwent core muscle surgery in October for an injury which he revealed he'd been dealing with since 2023. However, he is not expected to have any limitations in camp and will be ready to roll for the Cubs' March 18-19 series against the Dodgers in Tokyo.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Saturday at the Cubs Convention fan event that Suzuki will be the team's designated hitter "a lot" this season, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports. Suzuki has said that he prefers to play the outfield, but with Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker slated for everyday roles in that capacity this coming season, Suzuki's path to regular playing time is at DH. Counsell noted he spoke to Suzuki about the plan last week and the 30-year-old is on board. While he will be the Cubs' primary DH in 2025, Suzuki should still see enough action in the outfield to retain eligibility there for fantasy in 2026.
The Cubs signed Richards to a minor-league contract Monday, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports. Richards had a 4.55 ERA in 2024 between the Blue Jays and Twins and saw his strikeout rate dip from 33.3 percent to 22.4 percent year-over-year. That said, as a versatile arm with some swing-and-miss ability, he's a solid get on a minor-league contract. Presumably, he'll receive an invitation to spring training, where he'll compete for a bullpen gig.
Hoerner (elbow) has not resumed throwing or hitting, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. Hoerner spoke at the Cubs' offseason fan event and disclosed that he dealt with the flexor tendon injury throughout the 2024 season. While the issue should be repaired heading into 2025, his status is unclear to begin the campaign. Hoerner will also have roughly 10 fewer days to recover because the Cubs will open the season in Japan on March 18 against the Dodgers before returning stateside to play at Arizona on March 27.
Tucker agreed to a one-year, $16.5 million contract with the Cubs on Thursday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. Tucker and the Cubs weren't able to agree on a deal prior to the arbitration deadline last week, but a few extra days of negotiation have resulted in the slugging outfielder receiving a $4.5 million raise from last season and $1.5 million more than the Cubs had filed for. Injuries limited him to just 78 games last season, but he was as efficient as ever when healthy, slashing .289/.408/.585 with 23 homers, 49 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 336 plate appearances. Tucker is slated to become a free agent next offseason, but the Cubs will likely attempt to sign him to a long-term deal during the season.
The Cubs designated Arias for assignment Monday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Colin Rea. Arias, 23, made a full-time move to relief in 2024 and split the season between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa, compiling a 4.77 ERA and 72:48 K:BB over 60.1 innings.
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