Chicago Cubs: Matt Duffy could have value in utility role in 2022

The Chicago Cubs don’t have a lot of big decisions to make on impending free agents, as they traded away Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Craig Kimbrel at the trade deadline earlier this year. They have a decision to make on Zach Davies, but given how he’s pitched, it seems unlikely that he’ll be coming back next year.

Another free agent that the Cubs have a decision to make on is utility player Matt Duffy. Duffy, 30, came to the Cubs as a free agent this past offseason after failing to stick with a big league club in 2020. After finishing second in National League Rookie of the Year voting with the San Francisco Giants in 2015, Duffy was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 and became a free agent after the 2019 season.

In 2020, the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees both signed, and subsequently released, Duffy before he signed with the Cubs in December. He made the team out of spring training this year, and though he missed two months due to injury, he’s been a steady player for the Cubs this season. Should they try to bring him back?

Chicago Cubs: Matt Duffy still has some value

When he’s been healthy this season, Duffy has been able to revive his career as a decent (slightly below league average in terms of OPS+) hitter without much pop who can play several positions. Though he’s a right-handed batter, he actually has hit right-handers (.282) better than he has left-handers (.262). He’s come on strong over the past 14 days, posting an OPS of 1.056.

While Duffy probably is not a strong enough hitter to be an everyday player, especially at third base, where he’s seen the most playing time, he still should have a lot of value as a bench player next season.

Given how depleted the Cubs’ roster currently is, he’s been getting a lot of playing time hitting in the middle-third of the order, and while he’s held his own, he’s better off as a part-time player on a club that’s in contention.

Whether the Cubs seriously try to contend next year or not, Duffy is a player who holds some value and would be worth trying to bring back. Perhaps we’ll continue to see his thumbs up gesture after getting a base hit again next season.