Cubs Sign Longtime Target Eric Sogard to Minors Deal
The Cubs had reportedly been seeking a lefty-batting second baseman prior to the start of camp but their failure to sign anyone had it looking like the keystone was a three-man race. However, they have made a recent addition to the organization by signing oft-speculated target Eric Sogard to a minor league deal.
Called it.
So this means Eric Sogard, right? Maybe Daniel Descalso just so people’s heads explode.
— Evan Altman (@DEvanAltman) February 15, 2021
The light-hitting 34-year-old infielder has been on the Cubs’ radar for at least the last two years and was a hot commodity thanks to a big 2019 season. Sogard ended up posting a 115 wRC+ that year, the only time he’s been over 100 while logging more than 299 plate appearances, and his 2.7 fWAR is a full win greater than he’s accumulated in parts of nine other seasons (1.7).
That said, he’s a solid on-base guy with a contact-heavy approach and he has almost identical splits as a lefty batter. Sogard also has a decent glove, though age has stolen a lot of what modest range he had earlier in his career. This feels like a depth move, though it’s possible the Cubs really want to find a way to get Nico Hoerner more reps in the minors.
As much as I’ve been in favor of that strategy, I’m not sure this is the way to make it work. I’ll end with a reminder that this is a minors deal and does not guarantee Sogard a salary or a roster spot.
