Chicago Cubs News: Edwin Rios signing adds to third base intrigue

The Chicago Cubs added to their infield depth on Friday night as the team signed free-agent third baseman Edwin Rios to a one-year Major League deal.

Rios was non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers last December and does have two years of team control remaining. Meaning, if Rios finds success at the Major League level with the Cubs in 2023, the arbitration process will allow the Cubs to control his rights for the next two seasons.

Over the course of the past four seasons, Rios never got an opportunity at extending playing time at the Major League level with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2022, Rios slashed .244/.293/.500 in 92 plate appearances but his 7 home runs in the same span are a large part of the reason his wOBA of .338 and 120 wRC+ were well above league average. No matter the level, Rios has shown tremendous power and there is reason to believe that can translate to the Major League level at a regular capacity. Rios did have a 39% k-rate last season so there definitely is work to be done in regard to lowering the amount of swing-and-miss in his approach.

Rios has primarily served as a third baseman at the Major League level with the Dodgers but also has had playing time at each corner outfield spot as well as first base. The sample size is small but Rios has been slightly below league average at the hot corner thus far in his Major League career.

Rios should have an opportunity at more playing time with the Cubs at the Major League level than he had with the Dodgers. Though, it would appear that the Cubs now have a crowded third base position. Perhaps, the signing of Rios allows for manager David Ross to have a true platoon at third base with Patrick Wisdom and the former Dodger. Under that scenario, Christopher Morel would serve as a true super-utility player for the Cubs.