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Now back in the playoffs for the first time since 2020, the Chicago Cubs have successfully distanced themselves from the rebuilding era of 2021-24 that left a sour taste in the mouths of so many fans.
Led by stars like Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, Seiya Suzuki, Shota Imanaga, and others, it can be easy to forget some of the journeymen and wandering souls who picked up some playing time on those doomed Cubs teams.
Like, remember when Christian Bethancourt was the team's best hitter for two weeks last year? Or when Luis Torrens shockingly broke camp with the team in 2023? Or how about when Jonathan Villar just completely broke in 2022?
Among those myriad short-term benchwarmers was Garrett Cooper, who made the 2024 Opening Day roster with the Cubs as part of a designed platoon at first base with newcomer Michael Busch. His stint in Chicago lasted all of 12 games, though he was still a positive contributor when asked to play.
Now, after nearly a decade in the big leagues, Cooper is choosing to hang up his cleats.
After 13 years, including 8 unforgettable years in the Big Leagues, it’s time to officially hang up my cleats. Baseball has been my life for as long as I can remember, I’m grateful for what it gave me, I’m proud of what I gave back. Here’s to what’s next 🤟🏻 pic.twitter.com/go9PZoRgTI
— Garrett Cooper (@CoopaLoop1) September 29, 2025
Garrett Cooper retires, extending list of 2024 Cubs who left baseball
Cooper only played on the North Side for the first month of the 2024 season, though he did exactly what Craig Counsell asked of him in that time. In 41 plate appearances with the Cubs, Cooper slashed .270/.341/.432 with one home run and six RBI, good for 0.2 fWAR and a 118 wRC+.
Once Patrick Wisdom returned from injury, though, Cooper became superfluous as a weak-side platoon threat. The Cubs shipped him off to the Boston Red Sox, where he completely fell apart, posting a .455 OPS and 26 wRC+.
An All-Star in 2022, Cooper couldn't find his way onto a big league roster this season, and has now officially called it quits. He posted a .759 OPS and hit 57 home runs in his eight-year career.
Cooper's retirement only adds to the growing list of 2024 Cubs who left Major League Baseball following that season.
Patrick Wisdom (KBO), Yan Gomes (free agent), David Bote (free agent), Drew Smyly (free agent), Trey Wingenter (JPPL) have all been out of stateside professional baseball since last year.
Though Cooper's playing career is now at an end, he deserves his flowers for an excellent run. He was one of just two All-Stars (Jazz Chisholm Jr.) on a bad Marlins team in 2022, and he was a successful platoon partner for Busch during his brief tenure with the Cubs.