Cubs add to busy day: Sign Chad Tracy

The Cubs also added infield depth today, as Bruce Levine reports that the Cubs are set to announce that they have signed former Arizona Diamondback infielder Chad Tracy to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.

The 29 year old veteran struggled last year by only posting a .237 average, but signs point to him rebounding as he is a career .280 hitter. The Cubs are hoping to see shades of the Tracy that were seen in 2005, when he hit .308 with 27 home runs and 72 RBI’s.

Tracy will compete with Hoffpauir in spring training for the backup first basemen role, but signs point to Tracy making the team over Hoffpauir. Tracy  adds more depth for the Cubs as he can backup first base, and third base for the Cubs. Hoffpauir in all reality is only limited to first base. Also Tracy has the better track record of being able to hit in this league, Hoffpauir still has yet to show that he can hit consistently in the Majors. Like I said, I’m fairly confident that Tracy will make the Cubs roster coming out of Spring Training.

This also may increase the chances that we see Hoffpauir be traded, or DFA by the Cubs. As with the addition of Chad Tracy, and the rising potential of Brad Snyder, Hoffpauir may be on the outs with the Cubs organization.