The word over at Bernie’s Pressbox via Viva El Birdos is that the Cubs have signed 35 year-old OF/1B/3B John Mabry to a one-year contract for $1MM. Mabry is coming off a poor season during which he hit .240/.295/.407 in 246 at-bats.
This rumor is not yet confirmed. A million bucks sounds a bit high coming off an off year, although Mabry earned $725,000 in 2005. He was a spectacular role player in 2004, hitting .296/.363/.504 in 87 games. It may be that Mabry was given more playing time than is good for him in ’05.
Mabry’s versatility would indicate that Jose Macias might be cut from the 40 man roster. Macias made $800,000 in 2005 while playing many positions, none of them well.
Update: Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio 1000 is reporting that the Cubs have indeed signed John Mabry to a one-year deal.
Thanks to Alex
