Cubs News and Notes: Cubs sign reliever,
David Kohl - USA Today Sports

Cubs News and Notes: Cubs sign reliever, "Overrated" Cubs, Happ vs. Emily, Hot Stove, more


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CUBS NEWS AND NOTES

Cubs re-sign pitcher: The Cubs re-signed 30-year-old reliever, Danny Hultzen, to a minor league deal according to multiple reports. Hultzen battled injury after injury before making his MLB debut with the Cubs last season, pitching 3.1 innings of scoreless ball while fanning five and walking a pair.

I initially wondered whether the Cubs would keep Hultzen on board, but as the latest financial crunch started taking shape, losing him was almost a no-brainer. Hultzen throws mid-90s, so this isn’t exactly another experiment in futility.

Hernan Perez: Late yesterday afternoon, the Cubs signed a minor league deal with former Brewer utilityman, Hernan Perez, according to multiple reports. Included is a non-roster invite to MLB Spring Training, with Perez earning $1M in the majors, with another $1M available in incentives.

Perez has some issues from an offensive standpoint, but there’s plenty of potential here, especially if they can correct his bat.

Overrated? 12-UP has released an article outlining their 9 most overrated MLB Players of the decade and members of your 2020 Cubs’ outfield own spots number seven and six.

Citing terrible defense, Kyle Schwarber was named as the number-seven most overrated player of the decade, while Jason Heyward’s subpar offense and albatross contract have earned him the number six spot. Taking top honors is Cardinals’ catcher, Yadier Molina.

Ian Happ vs. Emily Rizzo: The Cubs have announced their next edition of Bae vs. Ballplayer, which will be taped live at CubsCon. This episode will feature Ian Happ against Anthony Rizzo’s wife, Emily.

Cubs’ Birthdays: Celebrating yesterday (all posthumously), were ex-Cubs Coaker Triplett (108), Lance Richbourg (122), and Skelton "Buddy" Napier (130).

Baseball Quotes: “I could have played another year, but I would have been playing for the money, and baseball deserves better than that.” -George Brett

MLB and the Hot Stove

NL Central News:

Brewers: Milwaukee has signed a one-year deal with corner infielder, Ryon Healy, who was let go by the Mariners at the beginning of the offseason. Healy sat sidelined for much of last year with injuries, ending with hip surgery in August.

Milwaukee has also signed deals with utilityman Jace Peterson to a minor league deal, which includes an invite to Spring Training, and an MLB deal with free-agent infielder, Eric Sogard (one-year/club option for 2021).

Cardinals: St. Louis has designated outfielder, Adolis Garcia, for assignment.

Pirates: Pittsburgh has announced a handful of minor league deals: Outfielder Socrates Brito, LHP Miguel Del Pozo, and infielder (former Cub) Phillip Evans have all received non-roster invitations, as has RHP Hector Noesi.

From the Rest of MLB:

Padres: SD has reached an agreement on a minor league deal with Kyle Barraclough. (Invite to Spring Training.)

Royals: KC has signed RHP Braden Shipley to a minor league deal.

Marlins: Miami has signed OF Matt Kemp to a minor league deal; invite to Spring Training. The team also announced an additional eight minor league deals this afternoon: C Ryan Lavarnway, RHP Josh A. Smith, who both get MLB invites. Receiving non-roster invites are catchers Brian Navarrete, Santiago Chavez, and BJ Lopez; infielders Gosuke Katoh and Christian Lopes; and RHP Aaron Northcraft.

White Sox: The Sox have signed RHP Ross Detwiler to a minor league deal.

D-Backs: Arizona has agreed to a minor league deal with LHP Kyle Crockett.

Nationals: Washington has signed lefty reliever Fernando Abad to a minor league deal.

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