The Chicago Cubs signed veteran backup outfielder Greg Allen to a minor league deal that includes an invite to spring training. Allen, who last played in the majors with the New York Yankees during the 2023 season, spent last year at Triple-A in the Yankees’ system.
The 31-year-old has played all three outfield positions throughout his career and has generally been above average to good on defense. Allen hasn’t been able to produce much on offense, carrying a career slash line of .231/.300/.340, with 11 home runs in 828 plate appearances. Last year at Triple-A, Allen hit .225/.338/.360, with three home runs in 58 games.
Greg Allen is joining the Cubs on a minor-league deal with an invite to big-league spring training camp, per sources. He was in the Cubs clubhouse this morning.
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) February 21, 2025
While Allen’s bat isn’t much to talk about the outfielder has been a good base runner throughout his career and when he’s been tasked to swipe a bag he’s been successful 84% of the time, going 48-for-57 in his attempts.
The Cubs don’t necessarily need Allen per se, but with a recent blow to their outfield depth this week it never hurts to add a player who is capable at all three spots. Cubs prospect Owen Caissie is currently shut down with a groin strain and a few days ago Alexander Canario was DFA’d.
Looking at the starting outfield of Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker with Seiya Suzuki as the DH and fill in at the corners, the Cubs don’t really have a clear-cut backup center fielder. Vidal Bruján is in camp competing for a bench spot and he’s started in center and the infield, so he could potentially fill that role.
However, it doesn’t appear as though the Cubs will be using the backup role as someone who would get regular starts in case of injury. At this point it seems like the team is preparing Kevin Alcántara to get every-day at-bats at Triple-A to begin the season and if there’s a major injury in the outfield, then he’ll come up to become the replacement starter.
Still, any team needs solid depth up and down the roster and Allen has at least been productive in his recent, albeit, limited playing time in the majors. Allen has 1.6 fWAR in 304 MLB games. Essentially, Allen, if he’s ever rostered, would be a pinch-runner/defensive replacement only type of player for the Cubs.
