One former Craig Counsell player who would be a terrific addition to the Cubs' bench

With Spring Training under two months away for the Chicago Cubs, it seems like the weeks before then will be spent rounding out the margins of their Major League roster.

While the Cubs continue to hope they win the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes, it's likely that the Cubs will use January and February to round out the spots in their bullpen and bench. This week, tooks steps to address each as they acquired utility-man Vidal Bruján from the Miami Marlins and signed left-handed relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar to a one-year deal.

Neither move should prevent the Cubs from addressing the bullpen and bench further, and to that end, recent reports have suggested that Josh Rojas is a player of interest.

Assuming one of the remaining goals of the offseason for the Cubs is raising the floor of their bench, the team may want to look in the direction of one of Craig Counsell's former players with the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Brewers traded for Canha during the 2023 season and the 35-year-old veteran slashed .287/.373/.427/120wRC+ in 204 plate appearances with Milwaukee to close out that season. Canha split time with the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants last season, posting a 102 wRC+ in 462 plate appearances.

Mark Canha would raise the floor of the Cubs' bench.

At this stage in his career, Canha trends toward being a league-average bat. That may not seem like a big deal on the surface but considering the Cubs' bench has been littered with players falling well below the 100wRC+ marker in recent seasons, it would work toward the team's goal of raising the floor of production of their bench.

Canha also has the positional versatility that Counsell and the Cubs value. Canha played 50 games at first base last season while also adding a total of 43 games between the corner outfield spots. Canha doesn't have much experience at third base but could play the position in a pinch.

Canha, along with Rojas, is likely among the players the Cubs are considering for their bench. If third base experience is the goal, Rojas would be the likely answer but Canha does offer the Cubs an established backup at first base for Michael Busch.