Well, you can’t say the Cubs are sitting on their hands after the lockout. The Cubs are now reportedly going to sign veteran infielder and switch hitter Jonathan Villar according to Robert Murray.
Free-agent infielder Jonathan Villar in agreement with the Chicago Cubs, pending physical, according to a source familiar with the situation.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) March 17, 2022
Villar is coming off a solid 2021 season with the Mets. He hit 18 home runs and slashed .249/.322/.416, while recording an above league average 105 wRC+. Villar was worth 2.1 fWAR during his 142-game season.
Looking at his overall career Villar has been fairly consistent, recording at least a 2.1 fWAR in four of the last five full seasons. Again, 2020 was only a 60-game schedule and Villar only played in 29 games that year.
The veteran utility man can play all over the infield, but he was primarily getting starts at third base for the Mets in 2021.
The Cubs had been linked to Villar after the lockout ended last week and on Wednesday Bruce Levine indicated the team was looking for some left-handed hitting. Villar fits that need perfectly and also gives the Cubs some on insurance on Patrick Wisdom.
However, with Villar now joining the Cubs it does make you think about a possible trade coming. The Cubs already signed shortstop Andrelton Simmons, adding him to the middle infield mix of Nico Hoerner and Nick Madrigal. With Villar, the Cubs have four players who can very easily get lots of playing time up the middle.
According to Jon Heyman, Villar is getting $6 million from the Cubs.
Villar Cubs deal believed worth $6M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 17, 2022
Or what if Wisdom ends up getting traded after setting the Cubs’ rookie home run record in 2021? Or is it possible that the lovable Frank Schwindel is shipped off somewhere following his unbelievable streak to end last year.
According to Mark Feinsand, Villar and the Cubs have a mutual option for 2023.
Jonathan Villar’s deal with the Cubs is for one year and $6M, per source. The deal also includes a mutual option for 2023 as well as performance bonuses.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 17, 2022
And of course there’s always going to be the thought of Carlos Correa. Are the Cubs adding these veterans as backups because they’re going to trade some of their other younger players AND THEN sign Correa?
The Cubs reached an agreement with Jonathan Villar on a one-year, $6 million deal, as multiple outlets reported. The Cubs primarily view Villar, a switch-hitter, as a platoon option who will share time with Patrick Wisdom at third base. Villar can also move to second/shortstop.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) March 17, 2022
Interesting times for the Cubs. There’s gotta be more coming, right?
Anyway, make sure to check out this week’s episode of the Pinwheels and Ivy Podcast.
