Latest Los Angeles Angels injury confirms the Cubs avoided an offseason mistake

Not enough Chicago Cubs fans are putting respect on Jon Berti's name.

As Cubs fans try to predict what the team's Opening Day roster may look like, the decision that is at the heart of the construction is the final spot on the team's bench. The two players fighting for that spot are Vidal Bruján and Gage Workman. Given that Workman is a Rule 5 draftee and Bruján is out of minor-league options, the injury to Nico Hoerner allowed the Cubs to roster both players for their games against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan this week.

The decision between Bruján and Workman will likely need to be made before the Cubs resume regular-season play against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 27. In talking about the decision, some fans are overlooking the fact that Berti is a top-tier bench piece to have on the roster and shouldn't be talked about in the sense that his roster spot is in question.

Berti inked a one-year deal with the Cubs in January for $2MM. So first and foremost, the fact the Cubs signed Berti to a Major League contract speaks to the fact that he will be on the Opening Day roster. Secondly, outside of Bruján, Berti has the most positional versatility on the roster, considering he is able to play every position on the field, including first base. The reason why Berti isn't in the same conversation as Bruján or Workman is that the former New York Yankees' infielder has a history of offensive competency at the Major League level.

Even in spring training with the Cubs this season, Berti is proving that he will be a capable bench piece. Berti is slashing .333/.444/.381/129wRC+. Again, Berti is going to be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster.

Thankfully, the Cubs did not sign Yoan Moncada

The addition of Berti signals an offseason decision that the Cubs got right. Or, in this case, successfully avoided. The Cubs were interested in former Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada this offseason and reportedly had a $3MM offer on the table for one of baseball's former top prospects. Instead, Moncada signed for $5MM with the Los Angeles Angels. A decision the Angels are already seeing the risk of as Moncada may miss Opening Day with a thumb injury. Injuries were the primary reason why Moncada's ascension never took off with the White Sox.

For less money, the Cubs got a player in Berti who is healthy and raises the level of their bench to a place it hasn't been in recent seasons. If nothing else, a rare example of where not spending more worked in the Cubs' favor.