In keeping with Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, free agent Josh Rojas is drawing curiosity from a number of groups. The Cubs are one such membership, and Feinsand characterizes their attraction to the veteran utility man as “critical.”
Rojas, who turns 31 subsequent June, was considerably surprisingly non-tendered by the Mariners earlier this offseason. His bat was middling at greatest in 2024, however he did steal 10 bases and draw walks at a well-above-average clip. Extra importantly, he graded out as a robust infield defender in line with a number of metrics, together with Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and Outs Above Common (OAA). Consequently, he completed with 1.9 Wins Above Alternative (WAR) in line with FanGraphs and a couple of.1 WAR in line with Baseball Reference. If he may merely repeat that efficiency in 2025, he would have been effectively value his projected $4.3M wage. But, the Mariners determined to maneuver on.
Though Rojas performed the overwhelming majority of his video games on the sizzling nook in 2024, he’s additionally a succesful defensive second baseman. On prime of that, he can cowl most different positions in a pinch. He has performed shortstop, each outfield corners, and (briefly) first base at instances all through his six-year MLB profession.
The Cubs are stocked with Gold Glove winners at second base, shortstop, and each outfield corners. Nevertheless, they don’t at present have anybody locked in at third base. Prime prospect Matt Shaw looks as if probably the most logical alternative to switch Isaac Paredes on the far left facet of the infield, however Shaw has no big-league expertise and solely 35 video games at Triple-A beneath his belt. To that time, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer not too long ago stated Shaw would have an opportunity to earn the third base job, nevertheless it’s not his simply but. Latest commerce acquisition Vidal Bruján also can play third base, however given his full lack of MLB success over the previous 4 years, Bruján ought to be nothing greater than a utility participant for the bench. Lastly, Rule 5 decide Gage Workman is a terrific defender at third base, however like Shaw, he has no main league expertise – and in contrast to Shaw, there are critical questions on how his bat will maintain up in opposition to MLB pitching.
With all that in thoughts, Rojas looks as if an ideal match for the Cubs. He may take over as Chicago’s beginning third baseman to start the season, batting on the backside of the lineup and supplementing what’s already probably the greatest defensive alignments within the league. Nevertheless, he wouldn’t block Shaw if the teenager proves himself prepared for on a regular basis enjoying time on the huge league stage. As a substitute, he would slide into the utility job on the bench, providing a major improve over Bruján.
Financially talking, the Cubs should not have any hassle paying no matter value Rojas is searching for. Presumably, he’ll find yourself signing a one-year contract with a seven-figure assure. After offloading most of Cody Bellinger’s wage earlier this month, Chicago is roughly $50M under the primary luxurious tax threshold and $54M under final yr’s closing payroll (per RosterResource). If the Cubs don’t land Rojas, different free brokers who may deal with the identical want at the same value level embody Jose Iglesias and Paul DeJong.
