Cubs add hometown folk hero following highly anticipated bench departures

Los Angeles Angels v Chicago White Sox
Los Angeles Angels v Chicago White Sox | Justin Casterline/GettyImages

Naperville native Nicky Lopez won't have far to go following his departure from the Chicago White Sox earlier this season. The Cubs have signed Lopez to a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Over the course of his career, Lopez has seen playing time at second base, third base, and shortstop.

Lopez's experience at second and third base could interest the Cubs. There remains a chance that starting second baseman Nico Hoerner won't be ready for the Cubs' series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan next month. If that is the case, Lopez could find his way onto the Major League roster.

Lopez could also be in the mix at third base if the Cubs would rather him be Matt Shaw's insurance at the position instead of Berti or Bruján. While most of Lopez's work throughout his Major League career has been at second base or shortstop, he has registered 387 innings at third base. Brujan has less than 100 career innings at third base. Berti has over 1,200 career innings at the hot corner and likely will be the primary backup to Shaw.

If Hoerner is healthy, Lopez could face an uphill climb toward making the team, with Jon Berti and Vidal Bruján likely ahead of him for a spot on the bench.

With the White Sox last season, Lopez slashed .241/.312/.294 with an OPS+ of 76.

Nicky Lopez is an ideal organizational depth option for the Cubs

In many ways, Lopez has a similar profile to the former White Sox infielder the Cubs non-tendered earlier this offseason in Nick Madrigal. Madrigal had excellent bat-to-ball skills but offered nothing else in terms of speed or fielding. This past week, Madrigal inked a split contract with the New York Mets.

Given Madrigal's departure along with offseason trades of Miles Mastrobuoni and Luis Vazquez, the Cubs were in need of infield depth for the upper levels of the organization. Even if Lopez does not make the Cubs' Opening Day, it seems there is a safe chance of seeing him at Wrigley Field eventually this summer.

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