Chicago Cubs sign outfielder Jon Jay to one-year contract

The Chicago Cubs seemingly moved on from Dexter Fowler, signing free agent outfielder Jon Jay to a one-year, $8 million deal Tuesday evening.

According to a report, the Chicago Cubs are signing free-agent outfielder Jon Jay to a one-year, $8 million contract, adding depth to an already-loaded outfield group.

Jay, 31, is a former second-round pick of the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals who spent last season on the West Coast with the San Diego Padres. He bounced back from a disappointing 2015 campaign with the Cardinals to post a .728 OPS in 90 games.

The University of Miami alum has experience in all three outfield spots and will likely split time in center field with Almora, flanked by the likes of Heyward and some combination of Schwarber and Soler.

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His numbers bear no discernible splits, which only makes him more valuable to a manager like Joe Maddon, who is known for his mix-and-match philosophy when it comes to his club’s roster.

The signing also seems to signify that fan-favorite Dexter Fowler will move on from Chicago, given Jay joins the likes of Jason Heyward, Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora, Matt Szczur and Jorge Soler in competition for the three starting spots.

Discipline

That’s not to mention Kris Bryant, the reigning National League MVP, who saw time in the outfield in 69 games last season.

Schwarber said late last season he was hoping to return to catching in 2017, but the course of action chosen by the organization remains to be seen. Soler struggled in 2016 following a breakout postseason performance the year prior, leading many to call for his trade.

Heyward, meanwhile, took him a Gold Glove for his defense in right field and given he’s just one season into his eight-year, $184 million deal with Chicago, it seems highly unlikely he would draw any trade interest (or that the Cubs would want to deal him given his defensive value).

During his career, Jay has ranked as roughly a league-average defensive outfielder while compiling an average of 1 to 3 wins above replacement per season.

He brings a strong plate discipline to Chicago, evidenced by a career .339 on-base percentage that peaked at .373 back in 2012 with the Cardinals. Power isn’t a part of his game as he hit just two long-balls in 347 at-bats with San Diego last year.

Next: Cubs still have value on the farm

As noted, this move obviously seems to indicate that the Cubs are planning to move on from Fowler, who put together a career-best campaign in 2016. With Yoenis Cespedes agreeing to a four-year deal with the Mets earlier Tuesday, interest in Fowler will only increase.

Of course, Chicago has been linked to some top pitching talent of-late, including Tampa Bay Rays hurler Chris Archer. Any trade of this magnitude could greatly alter the Cubs’ outfield mix, but, for the time being, there appears to be little life to those rumors.

Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago was the first to report the deal.