The Cubs announced 19 non-roster invitations to Major League Spring Training today (Twitter link), with infielder/outfielder Mike Freeman and left-hander Kyle Ryan standing out as new additions on minor league contracts. Freeman is repped by BASH Baseball, and Ryan is a client of Frontline.
[Related: Updated Chicago Cubs depth chart]
The 30-year-old Freeman saw time with the Cubs, Mariners and Dodgers in 2017, appearing at all four infield positions but mustering just a .100/.182/.183 slash in 66 trips to the plate. Freeman’s jack-of-all-trades status on the defensive end of the spectrum and quality on-base numbers in Triple-A have made him a desirable commodity to round out 40-man rosters over the past couple of seasons, though. He played every position other than catcher at the Major League level in 2016-17 and has a career .312/.377/.420 batting line in parts of four Triple-A seasons.
As for Ryan, the 26-year-old southpaw has appeared in the big leagues in each of the past four seasons with the Tigers, totaling 128 innings of 3.87 ERA ball. Ryan, though, has averaged just 4.9 K/9 against 3.1 BB/9 in that time, and his average fastball checks in just south of 89 mph. To his credit, he’s logged a 54 percent ground-ball rate in the Majors and averaged just 0.77 HR/9 in the Majors. Ryan doesn’t come with a discernible platoon split, as lefties have hit him at a .272/.322/.406 clip while righties have batted .256/.335/.390. He’s worked as both a starter and reliever in the past, so he could provide some depth in either category for the Cubs.
I heard freeman and ryan used to shag darvish’s fly balls in the outfield so just assume the brewers will sign darvish.
Yu is clearly signing with the KBO Ham Fighters…..get your facts straight buddy.
Salty! I like it.
And they use to paint his house:)
Yu to the Cubs, done deal.
Things don’t look to bright for the Cubs in 2018. Freeman is simply to provide depth because in all likelihood the Cubs infielders will not all stay healthy. Ryan will likely be the Cubs 2018 closer and he is no Wade Davis. When the Cubs start making moves like this and ignoring their many holes you have to wonder if they plan on contending in 2018. For all the talk of Darvish the Cubs have not made one significant signing, while likely losing TWO key 2017 contributors in Davis and Jake Arrieta. Add in John Lackey’s retirement and we are seeing a Cubs team at their lowest point in 5 years.
Why “in all likelihood” will their infield not be healthy? Between Rizzo, Bryant, and Baez, there has been exactly 1 career DL stint between them. Aside from Addison Russell’s injury last year (and he’s young), I see no reason to suspect their infield is injury-prone.
Don’t feed the trolls.
Murphey’s law- you, yourself made the point. Based on their histories and the nature of the game, one of Bryant, Rizzo and Baez is bound to get injured. Russell never fully recovered last year and that was clear. The Cubs badly needed infield depth/insurance in 2018.
Lol yeah they need infield dept. lol now I need some drugs like you have. At least we have a 3rd baseman. When Yanks fall this year everyone will say instead of blowing 280 million on a rf they don’t need instead of getting a 3rd baseman n SP. but that rotation is the best so says Yank fans. Lol. NYers always talk BS. Greatest smoke blowers in the nation. Lol
The Yankees actually have a very good 3rd base prospect by the name of Miguel Andujar. He has a very good bat but his defense may need work. Huntington wanted him and Clint Frazier in exchange for Cole and the Yankees said no.
Many are also high on Tyler Wade as well as Torres so I am not worried about the Yankees infield if they fail to make a move.
the Gambler’s Fallacy : believing the odds of something change based on previous results
they don’t.
Murphy’s Law is something completely different and by definition can never be accounted for. It’s also applies to everyone and everything, not just the Cubs.
The Yankees have 27 titles to the Cubs 3. I’m thinking no Cub fan should ever say anything bad about the Yankee organization. Plus, with the Yanks current roster and their loaded farm system, they are going to be real good, real soon, for a long time.
no number of past achievements by people who aren’t the actual person commenting can erase the massive levels of stupid sometimes displayed in comment sections on the internet, unfortunately
“my team has a lot of titles’ is a poor excuse for poor trolling…. even champions are subject to basic logic and linear reasoning
Cishek, Morrow both added to a bullpen. Team has been dominant and largely healthy plus has players like Happ, Zorilla who have experience in the infield. Plus, has anybody really made any signings this offseason?
Very weak attempt at humor. Or mental illness.
The Cubs made a lot of signings. Losing Lacky lol a big loss. Yeah Davis hurts but Marrow will be fine and no
One says the Cubs are done buying. What has the Yanks done. Got a giant contract for a RF they don’t need. When they should be getting a SP n 3rd baseman. Typical NYers always talking BS
Good point. I’m glad others see this also.
Go away Themed your obsessed with Cubs. Just a troll who no one even paying mind. Get over your ego and self. If you weren’t worried about the Cubs you wouldn’t be on are boards everyday trolling. Proves a point. Nothing for you here the door is to the right. The Cubs are none of your business so why you even care so much. To seek attention. No one cares what you say or your opinion. Trolls n haters are just that. Jealousy n hating gets you nowhere. We don’t care what part don’t you get. Get a job and some friends and a life.
I thank you for your words kind sir.
What’s today’s date?
Lol lowest point at 5 years. Yeah the Cubs are going to lose 95 maybe 100 games this year cause they lost Lackey n Davis. NYers crack me up all talk and no action. Cheap as tracking 25 miles to save a nickle. Psssf
My dear friend, you left out Arrietta. Lets be honest here. While it was far from his best season Arrietta a very good starter in 2017 and a big part of the rotation. His age is hindering his market at this point. Ask yourself this question- if Arrietta wanted a one year deal is there any team that would not attempt to sign him? Teams are scared of the length of a contract for a pitcher his age.
Be honest- losing Jake Arrietta and not replacing him will have a big impact on the Cubs. Lester will be a year older, coming off his worst season. At this point the Cubs rotation is probably at its worst point in 5 years.
You sir… are a psycho.
Courtesy flush thanks for the sage advice as I never should have responded
NL Central fans, I’ve been thinking about a trade that I’d like to see how others feel about it.
CIN acquires: Starlin Castro (to play SS)
Christian Yelich
MIA acquires: Jose Peraza, Billy Hamilton, Cody Reed, Devin Mesoraco, and Phillip Ervin.
I feel like that’s a pretty fair swap for both teams. Opinions?
Well the initial problem I have is Castro at shortstop. He is not a good defender and he does not have that much range. He is a liability at short
I have a pretty good idea of what Michael Hill’s opinion would be…
Miami shoots it down in a heartbeat, btw. Mesoraco/Hamilton do absolutely nothing for them, Reed sucks, and Peraza/Ervin, while somewhat useful big leaguers (I quite like Ervin, myself), don’t have anywhere near the value needed to get Yelich. For the Reds to get Yelich (and like, they shouldn’t, because they’re bad) requires either Senzel or Greene plus Trammell and Long, probably
Do you want the Marlins to pay all of the salary too? I think Hill and Jeter would rather trade Castro, Yelich and Realmuto to the Mets for Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Harvey.
You sir are a complete and total ASS!!!! You are the reason I came up the saying, ” I don’t hate the teams, I hate their fans”!!! Yankee fans are and always will be idiots!!!! You were and always will be spoon feed!!!! They BUY championships, never earning them and then degrade other teams???? The Cubs are far and away a better team for the future!!!!! Don’t bother replying back, and stick your key board right up your ***!!!!!!!!!!!
My dear friend I thank you for your kind words. Thanks for such a passionate response to my post. I would ask you comment on my other posts as often as you can.
Typical Yankee fan!!!! I’m not your friend and NEVER will be!!!!! Just some friendly advice to you……..Just quit posting period!!!! Talk to you in October, If you are there!!!!!
My dear friend. I thank you for that friendly advice and I look forward to talking with you this October.
It’s 2018 and people are still so easily baited by internet trolls. Sad.