Chicago Cubs: grading every move from the 2025 offseason

Jon Berti signing: B

In an effort to shake up the bottom of the roster, the Cubs parted ways with bench players Patrick Wisdom, Mike Tauchman, and Nick Madrigal. One of the replacements will be 35-year-old Jon Berti, signing a two-year, $2 million contract with the Cubs.

Berti is a utility man who is expected to give the Cubs valuable versatility. He has elite speed and the ability to play virtually any position on the diamond aside from catcher. Although he doesn't have as much pop in the bat as Wisdom or Tauchman, Berti has more defensive adaptability and pinch-running potential despite his age. In 2022, Berti led the Majors in stolen bases with 41.

Most of Berti's experience over the last couple of years has come at third, shortstop, and second base, but he has reportedly been taking reps at first base and could play the outfield in a pinch.

Vidal Bruján trade: D

The other main bench acquisition was Vidal Bruján, who came from the Miami Marlins in exchange for Matt Mervis. In hindsight, maybe parting with Mervis wasn't a smart play, as the team is now in need of a backup first baseman. For what it's worth, Mervis also had experience playing third base in college and could have provided more insurance for rookie Matt Shaw.

Bruján, on the other hand, is a very similar player to Berti, with impressive defensive versatility and good speed. In 2024, Bruján started games at first base (1), second base (31), shortstop (28), third base (14), and all three outfield spots (23). Unlike Berti, Brujan has not been able to find much success with the bat in the Majors, with a career .189 batting average in 497 at-bats.

To be fair, Mervis never did either but his sample size was smaller, with a .155 batting average in 116 Major League at-bats. Either way, Mervis seems like the better fit for the roster right now as his power potential is much higher than Bruján's. I guess the Cubs wanted more position flexibility which Bruján certainly brings to the table. Hopefully he finds a way to produce better offensive results than he has in the past.