Cubs reportedly eyeing a former Rookie of the Year finalist as potential bench piece

It's been an all-around strong showing from Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins this winter. Looking to build on a 92-win 2025 showing, the Chicago Cubs checked their three biggest boxes of the offseason, getting an impact bat (Alex Bregman), an arm with top-of-the-rotation stuff (Edward Cabrera) and rebuilt a bullpen that was wiped out by expiring contracts at season's end.

With rumors the Cubs are still circling on Zac Gallen and multiple comments from the front office last weekend that they're still exploring avenues of improving the club, there may yet be more to come. But even if the club is done with big additions, continuing to add depth, both on the pitching staff and the bench, remains a possibility.

Cubs are reportedly among the clubs with interest in Miguel Andujar

According to Jon Heyman, the Cubs are one of six known teams with interest in Miguel Andujar, who is coming off his best season in years with the Athletics and Reds last year. He slashed .318/.352/.470 in 341 trips to the plate, although those numbers are buoyed a bit by a .348 BABIP. But with the ability to step into both corner outfield and infield spots, even a league average presence at the plate would draw widespread interest.

Andujar is probably best known for the year stretch of his career, which he spent with the New York Yankees. He made his big-league debut with the Yanks in 2017 before bursting onto the scene with a runner-up finish in American League Rookie of the Year voting the following season, with a 130 OPS+ in more than 600 plate appearances.

He's never recaptured that form at the plate - although 2025 represented a major shift back in the right direction. After the Yankees placed him on waivers in 2022, the Pirates picked him up for a little more than a year. In Nov. 2023, the Athletics claimed him off waivers from Pittsburgh, and he remained with the team until last summer's trade deadline, when he was traded to Cincinnati for their playoff push.

Right now, the Cubs' bench mix projects to include Miguel Amaya, Tyler Austin, Matt Shaw and Kevin Alcantara. Andujar would add some nice versatility - and with him in tow and Shaw reportedly being eyed for reps all over the diamond, Craig Counsell could have a ton of flexibility this year and really get creative to keep his regulars fresh.