Chicago Cubs ink Carlos Gonzalez to minor league deal

The Chicago Cubs have signed veteran outfielder Carlos Gonzalez to a minor-league deal. Gonzalez helps improve the Cubs depth in the outfield and could serve as a replacement for Ben Zobrist in case he doesn’t return.

The signing of Carlos Gonzalez is a low-risk, high-reward kind of move for the Chicago Cubs. They’re getting an outfielder who was once a superstar with the Colorado Rockies, but now at 33 years old is probably past his prime.

This season, Gonzalez was just recently designated for assignment by the Cleveland Indians, where he struggled. In his stint with the Indians, the outfielder hit .210/.282/.276 with just two home runs over the course of 117 plate appearances. That’s far from the player he was with the Rockies.

With the Rockies, CarGo was a three-time All-Star who won two Silver Sluggers and three Gold Gloves. Back in 2010, which was undoubtedly a long time ago, Gonzalez finished third in the MVP voting where he hit a league-leading .336 with 34 home runs and 117 RBIs.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups
• Cubs: P.J. Higgins deserves to be in the lineup on a daily basis
• Cubs might start to limit Justin Steele’s workload soon
• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season

The Cubs also remember first-hand just how dangerous he can be at the plate. Throughout his career, Gonzalez traditionally killed the Cubs, as he hit .299 at the plate with 13 home runs and 30 RBIs.

However, Gonzalez isn’t the player he once was and lucky for the Cubs, they don’t need him to be. Although, that would certainly be nice and I’m sure the Cubs would love to see him be that player again. At this stage in his career, the Cubs are merely looking for Gonzalez to add depth and be a solid veteran bat off the bench.

Gonzalez could bring depth to a shorthanded outfield

He’s not coming in to take anybody’s job. Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora and Jason Heyward will remain your starting outfield. But after those three and Kris Bryant, the Cubs don’t have many options in the outfield.

Ben Zobrist was the Cubs depth in the outfield, and he may not return at all due to personal reasons. Zobrist’s supposed departure creates a huge hole in the Cubs roster in terms of both production and leadership. It also takes a reliable left-handed bat away from Joe Maddon.

Mark Zagunis didn’t provide much production in his short stint, and Maddon didn’t seem to like using him, considering he only made 39 plate appearances. Ian Happ is still down in Triple-A working on his game and isn’t ready. Otherwise, the Cubs just would have called him up. The Cubs most recently called up 34-year old Jim Adduci who most people didn’t even know was in the Cubs organization. In his one game of action, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, and he will most likely be sent back down shortly.

Even if he doesn’t play like the Gonzalez of old, this was a good move on the Cubs part. It’s a move that doesn’t cost a thing but could pay huge dividends if he plays well. He is a clear upgrade over both Zagunis and Adduci and is a solid replacement for Zobrist if he does not return.