3 minor-league deals the Cubs can still make before spring training

It's never too late to add depth and spice up the competition, so as the Chicago Cubs prepare to descend on Mesa to kick off spring training, it doesn't mean that Jed Hoyer should be asleep at the wheel.

There are a couple of major signings we'd still like to see. Adding Zac Gallen to further stabilize the rotation would be a huge plus, for example. But with that said, there are more minor moves that can be made to add depth and perhaps unearth a hidden contributor.

With the spring nearly upon us, many veterans who were holding out hope that they could secure big league deals will be forced to settle. Some should have seen this coming all along, while others could truly be gems in the right role who have just been overlooked. These three players fit the latter category and should be on the Cubs' radar with Cactus League action on the horizon.

Three players the Cubs could still try and swipe on minor league free-agent deals

Adam Frazier

Admittedly, there's a pretty decent shot someone decided that Adam Frazier is worth a major league contract, but the 10-year vet could have a hard time breaking through the noise. There are still a bunch of utility-type options out there, many of which are younger than the 34-year-old.

With trade rumors continuing to surround Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw, it would behoove the Cubs to add another big league-caliber infielder to the mix, though they won't want to spend a ton in case they decide to hang on to both incumbents. Frazier could fit that bill, plus log double duty in the outfield and serve as the left-handed bench bat that the club really needs. If he's available at this price, Chicago should jump.

Dillon Tate

A former top pitching prospect, Tate never panned out as expected with the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, or Baltimore Orioles. However, he did have some runs as a serviceable reliever, with his best year coming in 2022, posting a 3.05 ERA over 73 2/3 innings. Tate missed all of 2023 with a right elbow injury, and while he wasn't terrible upon his return in 2024, his performance still left something to be desired.

The righty spent last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, pitching just 6 1/3 MLB innings. However, down in Triple-A, he recorded a 2.06 ERA in 39 1/3 frames. That makes him worth a look to see if he can either break through a bullpen that has some question marks this spring, and/or serve as valuable depth should injuries crop up.

Erick Fedde

Whether or not Erick Fedde can truly be had for a minor league contract depends on how the league feels about his Jekyll-and-Hyde tenure since returning from the KBO. In 2024, he was a contact-manipulating master who could eat innings. In 2025, he struggled to fool anyone while getting passed from the Cardinals to the Braves, and then to the Brewers.

It didn't come to fruition, but the 33-year-old was someone who caught the Cubs' eye when St. Louis DFA'd him last year as a potential Iowa stash. It could work out this time that the right-hander could actually make his way to Chicago to fill that role this time around. You can never have too much pitching depth, and the veteran righty has proven that he's durable, even if his overall level of effectiveness is questionable at this point.