3 Cubs minor-league signings that will fuel spring training competition

Spring training is finally approaching for Chicago Cubs fans and the MLB world. With it, a new roster will take the field in 2024 for the North Siders as they look to reach the postseason after narrowly missing by one game just a few months ago. When it comes to spring training, the most exciting topics will be those players on the bubble of making the roster and which ones outperform the rest and make it to the coveted 26-man roster. Let's take a look at three players that will be in that bubble, starting with former friend Carl Edwards Jr.

3 minor-league signings to watch - 3. Carl Edwards Jr.

One of my favorite former Cubs relievers, Carl Edwards Jr., should have a real shot at securing a bullpen role after inking a minor league deal with the Cubs on January 25. Over the last two seasons, Edwards Jr. compiled a combined 3.07 ERA with the Washington Nationals throughout 89 appearances. Lifetime, he now owns a 3.59 ERA but has yet to recapture the magic he had with the Cubs from 2017 and 2018 when he notched a combined 2.81 ERA, 12.2 K/9, and 151 ERA+.

Still, he has been successful recently. Landing him on a minor league deal may have high value for the Cubs' front office. Given the team's state-of-the-art pitching infrastructure being what it is today, there's no reason to believe Edwards Jr. can't continue to perform well at the major league level. Spots on the 26-man roster will be slim, but he will be one of the pitchers in consideration for a spot if he performs well in spring training.

3 minor-league signings to watch - 2. Jorge Alfaro

Jorge Alfaro was one of the earlier signings the Cubs secured on a minor league deal. This spring, Alfaro will be vying for the role of backup to the backup behind Yan Gomes and Miguel Amaya. He has had some success with the Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres as a big-league backstop, batting .245/.284/.361 from 2021 to 2022. If Pablo Aliendo starts in Triple-A Iowa this season, he likely won't be considered for a big league call-up soon. Alfaro likely has the spot if he plays well this spring, stays healthy, and isn't a disaster in Iowa.

There was severe regression last season. Alfaro managed just .146/.212/.292 in 48 ABs between Colorado and Boston. I consider him a segue to Aliendo or Moises Ballesteros, and we'll only see him if one of Gomes or Amaya lands on the IL. Without any options remaining, he will only get one shot on the major league roster if he does get called up at some point. He isn't the most attractive of names, but given where the Cubs' better catching prospects are, he's likely the next man up if the Cubs need him.