The Cubs have signed righty reliever Fernando Rodriguez, presumably to a minor league deal, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports. Rodriguez’s agency, J.M.G. Baseball, tweeted last week that their client had agreed to terms with an NL club. The Cubs have also added second baseman Jemile Weeks, catcher Ali Solis, lefty Daniel Moskos and shortstop Elliot Soto, also presumably on minor league deals.
The 32-year-old Rodriguez has pitched for the A’s for the last three seasons, most recently posting a 4.20 ERA, 8.2 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 40 2/3 innings in 2016. The Athletics outrighted him in October, likely thinking ahead to the tender deadline — Rodriguez has five-plus years of service time and would have been eligible for arbitration. Rodriguez had shoulder surgery in September, although typical recovery time would have allowed him to resume throwing by around now.
The 29-year-old Weeks collected 57 plate appearances with the Padres in 2016 and hit sparingly, missing much of the season to a hamstring strain. The former first-round pick is a career .271/.372/.373 hitter at the Triple-A level.
Solis is a 29-year-old, glove-first journeyman who’s made brief big-league appearances with the Padres and Rays. He played last season in the Red Sox system.
Moskos, now 30, is best known for being the fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft. He pitched last season for the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in El Paso, posting a 3.39 ERA, 6.9 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 over 61 innings of relief.
The 27-year-old Soto came up in the Cubs system but spent last season with the Marlins’ Triple-A club in New Orleans, batting .241/.358/.297 and splitting his time between second, shortstop and third.
More competition for Hayward…
None play OF.
I think he meant as a pinch hitter.
Why would Heyward be a PH? At least make a joke that works and call him a defensive replacement …
Regardless of how overpaid he is, Heyward is a world champion.
~ Jason Heyward’s mom
It’s only been one season. Do not say he’s overpaid yet
Okay, but he was paid based on his scouting pedigree, free agent age, and one career year. If it makes you feel better, let’s just ignore performance in relation to paycheck.
you mean he was paid on largely the same criteria as every other free agent in baseball? how foolish….
Hayward plays cornerback for the San Diego Chargers, Heyward* plays RF for the Chicago Cubs.
They both play the ball well, but Hayward hits much better than Heyward.
Picky bum
Heyward isn’t going anywhere. He had one bad year. Stop acting like he’s not a good player. People keep comparing him to soriano or Cody Ross. One off year when your 26 means nothing.
Soriano was good for the Cubs. He just wasn’t worth the deal they gave him. Same with Heyward, but at least in this situation the Cubs werent bidding against themselves and arbitrarily driving up the price.
Some nice aaa depth. Can see Weeks and Rodriguez getting called up at some point due to injuries next season.
Seems obvious that they’re expecting injuries next season.
Isn’t every team?
Or, they want some competition in camp.
Daniel Moskos. Pirates fans remember that name with loud groans and lots of regret. I’m a bit surprised he’s still finding AAA work, but good for him.
Was his failure injury related or was he a garden variety bust?
2004 1st pick Matt Bush pitched well for Texas last season so, you never know.
The other Cubs players credit Heyward for his inspiring speech during the rain delay, plus he played Gold Glove defense, so I’ll never knock him. Sure I hope he gets his stroke back. Who was his hitting coach with the Braves? Lets add him to the staff.
I saw a clip the other day of him in the cages with a retooled swing and heard he’s working with Barry Bonds this offseason, so I’m interested to see how things go.
Does that mean a PED suspension is coming?
Nice to see Soto back in the system. Welcome home Elliott.
Munenori Kawasaki or riot
He played like 3 games. For comedy relief. That’s fine but not on the 25 man roster. Plus he’s 37. They need Travis Wood.
Daniel Moskos. Now there’s a guy I forgot existed.