Report: Cubs will release veteran outfielder |
The Chicago Cubs will release veteran outfielder Peter Bourjos on Friday according to multiple reports.
The team wants to release him now so he will have some time to sign with another major league team before the season starts. If he had made the Cubs Opening Day roster, he would have owed $1.45 million for the season. If he doesn't get picked up by another team, the Cubs are reportedly open to bringing him back in a minor league role. During the spring, he batted an impressive .317 with three runs, two stolen bases, and 7 RBIs. He did well enough to make the team but there just wasn't any vacant roster spots for a real chance for him to make the ballclub. In 2017 with the Tampa Bay Rays, he batted .223 with five homers, 15 RBIs, and .272 on-base percentage. He can play all three outfield positions with 41 games at left field, 37 games at centerfield, and 14 games at right field last season. For his 7-year major league career, he is batting .241 with 42 homers, 164 RBIs, and .298 on-base percentage. He was drafted in the 10th round by the Angels in the 2005 MLB draft.
