Dec. 1: Frazier will have a base salary of $1.5MM, with $1MM of potential incentives available, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
Nov. 30, 3:19 pm: The deal has been agreed upon, tweets Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
2:55 pm: The Cubs are nearing agreement with free agent corner outfielder Clint Frazier on a one-year contract, reports Jesse Rogers of ESPN (Twitter link). Frazier remains controllable via the arbitration process through 2025 (barring changes to the service time structure in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement), so this could prove to be a multi-year pickup for Chicago turns things around offensively.
Frazier, 27, is a former top five overall pick who was one of the game’s most highly-regarded young players early in his pro career. He appeared among Baseball America’s top 50 prospects entering three separate seasons, and he headlined the Yankees’ return from Cleveland for Andrew Miller at the 2016 trade deadline.
The right-handed hitter made his big league debut the following season, spending parts of the next five campaigns in the Bronx. Frazier flashed some of the offensive upside that made him so highly-regarded, posting slightly above-average hitting numbers in 2019 before seemingly breaking out in 2020. Over 160 plate appearances during that year’s truncated season, Frazier popped eight home runs and walked at a massive 15.6% clip en route to a .267/.394/.511 slash line.
While Frazier seemed to be emerging as an organizational building block, he struggled through a miserable 2021 campaign. Over 218 trips to the plate, he stumbled to a .186/.317/.317 mark with just five longballs. While Frazier continued to draw plenty of free passes, his downturn in power and lofty 29.8% strikeout rate combined to lead to his worst results as a big leaguer. Making matters worse, Frazier didn’t play from July onward as he was plagued by vertigo-like symptoms. In October, Frazier wrote on Twitter, “My issues have been very personal to me and something I’ve wanted to handle privately but there’s been a lot of inaccurate things reported about my injury that I’ll clear up.”
After the season, the Yankees moved on, designating Frazier for assignment before the deadline to add prospects to the 40-man roster to keep them from selection in the Rule 5 draft. He was released not long thereafter. Frazier will now hook on with a Cubs team in transition, affording them the opportunity to take a flier on his upside. He’ll reunite with Chicago general manager Carter Hawkins, who was a prominent member of the Indians’ front office during Frazier’s time in the Cleveland farm system.
Matt Murton 2.0
Not really. Matt Murton was a pretty good contact hitter, who probably didn’t get a fair shake due to the lack of power. Murton over his Cubs career (870 ABs) slashed .294/.362/.448 with a K rate of 13.18%. and 128 K’s. Frazier on the other hand through his career so far (707 ABs) .239/.327/.434 with a K rate of 29.1% and 235 K’s, nearly twice as many strike outs in 163 fewer ABs.
I would love to have a Matt Murton on this team right now. Someone who actually puts the ball in play.
We do – Nick Madrigal.
Hopefully that is. Not a lot of proof to go off just yet but promising
Madrigal will flirt with .300 every year his contact skills are very rare, have you not seen the kid play??
not many outside of the local market have. 29 of 70 in 2020 and 54 of 162 games played.
You mean Mr 3000
Dave Magadan comes to mind. Good contact no power
You mean Mark Grace.
How dare you put these guys in the conversation with MG17. Grace was a great player. Period.
I’m not saying he wasn’t a great player.He was a good player with no power playing a position that you put a power guy at. Quite honestly, that was a detriment to the Cubs. Ed Lynch and Andy McFail didn’t want to disturb the fan base that were making obscene money for the Tribune board…which is all they cared about.
This deal makes me wonder if Frazier might turn it back around. I was under the impression that his struggles were due to serious side effects from a previous concussion. I would think if it were that bad he wouldn’t even try to play. He clearly still believes in himself and he was great a year ago. I know Cubs fans have to be a little disappointed in the direction their team is headed but this is one of the fun parts about going through a mini-rebuild.
They just got a 27 year old former top 5 pick who was a great player in 2020. His body isn’t too damaged either. It seems like Frazier believes his concussion issues will get worked out. If that happens the Cubs could have a great player under team control for 4 years at a dirt cheap price.
When you are in the situation the Cubs are in you can afford to take risks with roster spots. This is a low risk/high reward contract for the Cubs. If he had blown out knees or torn up shoulders there wouldn’t be much hope but Frazier’s problems are with his brain. That can always turn around at any moment.
It wasn’t long ago Frazier was considered a potential centerpiece prospect for a huge trade. It will be fun to keep up with this guy next season and see if his issues are behind him. It’s something interesting for Cubs fans to look forward to with all that team control. Just don’t non-tender him and watch him immediately have a great season with another team a la Kyle Schwarber.
Honestly, what does either side have to lose? The kid gets a fresh start and the Cubs end up with a high upside prospect with everything to prove.
His “dizzyness” issue may be because of the concussions or may be because the Yankees wanted to dl him when they got Gallo
His story has parallels to Almora. Going to expect the worst and hope for average.
Plus he went over see and dis great. Thank he even won a batting title.
Beisbol bin berry berry goo too me…
I don’t know why the Cubs never gave Murton a fair shake. Sometimes it takes a rookie a couple of years to transition to MLB. They always seemed to have him on a short leash and any time he fell into a slump they benched him. I am not saying he was going to be a star but he could have been a solid starter for years. Frazier is going to be a star if he can avoid the injuries. Yankee fans will be screaming for Cashman’s head if Frazier can finally get past the concussion problems. He couldn’t pick a better team to reboot his career. Kinda funny how the Chapman/Miller trades have worked out years later.
Just because he is a red head?
Why??
Because.
Cubs hoping to flip him at the deadline to NYY for Miguel Andujar just because
My lst thought was oh no, all that poor Ivy out there that will crashed in to!
Joc worked out great, same scenario, flip him at deadline. Or if you like what you see a chance to extend him. it’s a 1 year deal, not much risk.
No need to extend him, he’s controllable through the 2025 season.
“Why”
=====================
I’m not sure how to even process that. The dude, when right, is a real good hitter. The Cubs are going to finish 4th or 5th.
I’d be interested in hearing your rationale for not investing in him?
Because if they pick him up and he can reproduce what he has done before, even for a half season, they can flip him for a decent return. So now that you know why EVERY team picks up players like this (albeit a different reason for playoff competitors) you never have to ask this question again.
Flip him for a decent return?
That ain’t been the popular opinion on MLBTR.
It would be if he has a good first half. Hell, they could do it if he had a BABIP fueled rebound.
But I don’t want to be disingenuos. I know the topic of trading Frazier has gotten plenty of ridicule for some time no matter how irrational. I’m pretty sure you understand that had a lot to do with Yankee hate & resentment.
Oh yeah, I do understand that. And I wear the hate with pride.
As Mr. October said “They don’t boo nobodies.”
I just see the irony in it.
Which is exactly what we all said. Just like when we say, repeatedly, as soon as you get our guy with “no value” all the sudden he can be “flipped at the trade deadline for….”
People… at least be real.
He is controllable through 2025. The Cubs are hoping he stays healthy and returns to his 2020 form. He is a player they can build around if he stays healthy. He will replace Rizzo’s bat if he can avoid any more concussions. Potential to be an excellent #3 hitter. Yankees will regret letting him go to hold onto a prospect that can’t touch Frazier’s ceiling.
now trade Frazier to the Nationals for Juan Soto a move the Yankees were to chicken to do.
Isn’t it “too” chicken or “two” chickens because I know that grammatically it isn’t “to” chicken.
Anyway- the CF jokes are pretty stale, you might want to get some new material.
feel better?
He should feel better now. Someone needed to say it.
So than YOU know what Stark meant by two chickens? Because I keep looking at DD’s context and I just can’t see it. >=}
But Stark didn’t use the plural of chicken so I don’t know what YOU mean by “two chickens”. =))
To chicken or not to chicken? That is the San Diego question.
this horse has been dead please get new material.
…and a partridge in a pair tree!
Ah so he goes into the HOF with a Cubs cap.
He can wear any cap he wants as long as he buys a ticket to the HOF just like you or me.
Breakout season incoming.
He already had that
Could the Yankees not use Frazier in a deal for Contreras? Frazier, Sanchez, Wade, Garcia etc for Contreras? Yankees have no sense of urgency. Good luck in Chicago Frazier
Hey this is Brian Cashman, this is my burner account.
Listen your trade proposal is brilliant, I never would have thought of that. Can you email me, I’d like to make you my new assistant GM.
DaCashMan@yankeesbaseball.com
Ducky gets upset when other fans continue to parody past Yankee trade proposals (which were getting a bit stale). But unless MLBNYYFAN was being sarcastic, offering two non-tenders, one marginal tender, and a former prospect, is only going to invite more jokes.
“Could the Yankees not use Frazier in a deal?”
No. That was pretty clear when nobody claimed him.
Jed, you said you were going to address the pitching and so far you have added Wade Miley. Let’s get started.
maybe they are converting Fraizer into a pitcher, you ever thought about that?
I don’t think so
Yeah! He better get a move on with the season starting next week.
Do you not notice how many players are signing early, genius?
have you noticed how many more players are still free agents?
Mike Bielecki, Jeff Pico, and Shawn Boskie are still available…
You forgot to include Jeremy González.
Dude I want Frazier to stay healthy, play in 135 games, hit 31 HR’s with 86 RBI’s and sign a 3 year/$42M deal or something like that. I genuinely want to see the guy succeed. I love the Red Thunder and felt so bad for how his time on the Yankees went.
I’m going to hate this one. .275/350/525 line and one 14th place MVP vote.
NL Central pretty active today.
What draft pick do the Cubs have to surrender to the Yankees for signing their most highly coveted possessions the past 5 years?
The Cardinals get the draft pick; it’s a competitive balance thing.
Frazier is an unrestricted FA who was released. No draft pick compensation.
Yea, its a joke.
Finally the Yankees got the Frazier trade they always wanted!
Oh, wait!
Good move, he put up good numbers when starting in 2020. Hopefully he can get his vision problems settled and can focus on ball. Could be a sneaky good middle of the order bat for the Cubs as they regroup
2022 Comeback Player of the Year
I guess the Cubs are going to take the division.
Could’ve been packaged with Miguel Andujar for Gerrit Cole back in 2017. Now the Yanks get nothing in return.
All their prospects are overhyped and never pan out (Chance Adams, Andujar, Frazier, Sanchez). I have a feeling Peraza and Volpe won’t pan out either and then Cashman will wait too long to trade them and they lose all their trade value. Same goes for Dominguez. The only homegrown talent in recent memory to flourish is Judge.
Remember when Severino, Sanchez, Torres, and Judge were supposed to be the next core four?
Andujar, Frazier and Severino all proved to be above average talent. It’s called injuries.
Can’t stand 75% of Yankee fans. Sheesh!
this kind of yankee fan should be required to root for the mariners for 5 years. might restore some perspective
I’m still hoping Florial turns into something soon
Yeah, but they need to let him play. Give him the job over Hicks and let him start. See how he adapts. I read the other CFer in their system, Dunham, is actually better than Florial though.
I agree Stud W. How about Torres? Whitlock? The problem isn’t their talent. In many cases it was injury. Torres already proved he can do it; he’s played poorly at SS, but when he went back to 2B his numbers started to go back up & he’s only 24.
The people who overhype prospects are fans like you. You build these players up in your fanfic and when reality hits, you can’t deal and therefore it’s always the team’s fault.
I’m no Yankees fan. But, Volpe is going to be the real deal.
If he’s healthy it could work out great. But there’s a reason not one team claimed him and his $3 mill arb salary.
It’s $2.4M through arbitration projected and he is reportedly signing for less than that.
Jed Hoyer . Frazier will make all star team . Go Cubs !
Well, MLB does have to let someone from the Cubs play in the all star game. Doesn’t necessarily have to be an ‘all star.’
Frazier may love hitting in Wrigley Field and being away from the New York media (and fans) can only help
It’s really all health related. Looked like he was past the concussion issues in 2020, but suffered a reoccurrence in 2021. If he’s healthy, excellent pickup. DH him though.
the fans were never on Frazier, and he had broad support to succeed here.
It was never like he was treated as a minority outfielder playing in Fenway
Good riddance “red thunder”
wish he had worked out but it wasn’t in the cards. i’m rooting for him to overcome his (scary) health issues and showcase his legendary bat speed. also, thoughts and prayers to the family of the ivy
3:19 CST: Tweet from Clint Frazier: Finally, I will get the playing time I deserve.
4:01 CST: Cubs announce the signing of Brett Gardner.
Lol, nice!
Clint got injured signing the contract.
He whiffed 3 times before he hit the dotted line.
And ran into the wall on his way to the table.
He’ll rake at Wrigley. Count on it. The dude can hit…if healthy, he’ll rake.
@Sideline Redwine- absolutely he will, but only if he is healthy.
Which he never is
Wow! I’m surprised to see the Cubs accomplish something. I thought Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins were in a deep winter hibernation.
Huge fan of this move. 20 or 30M for superior talent at superior positions? F that, give me a 30% strikeout dizzy guy. Yep, the Cubs are going to own the NL Central.
Stupid move to sign him for 1 year. If he pans out, the arb numbers are going to be high. If you have confidence he can turn it around, then build the discount in for at least multiple years. Dude doesn’t have any leverage.
The Cubs now control him for at least 3 years. Maybe 4. I’m too lazy to look it up.
Yeah, dumpster diving again.
Dodger fan, better than spending or trading farm on Bauer scherzer Darvish machado and no rings to show for them. 1/2 billion roster can’t win . Come back with the Mickey Mouse little league season ring you have .
Yanks ruined the poor kid. This is a perfect situation for him; he can ball. Wishing him the best.
Yeah, the Yankees banged his head into the outfield wall until he had a concussion.
The Land of Misfit Players strikes again….welcome to Wrigleyville.
Good luck Clint … never really had a fair chance here in ny
He was given the opportunity to start last season. He blew it and got injured.
Worth a shot for the Cubbies. To steal a phrase from my Orioles famous 1989 season “Why Not?”
Not a Cubbie fan but I like this signing. Not sure why NYY released him. Cub fans pray for DH because he’s a clang clang on the field.
40-man issues. They had too many to protect and couldn’t risk losing one of those 5 players to the rule 5 draft to protect an injured player. Otherwise, Frazier would’ve stayed. Yankees-land wanted this kid to succeed so badly, and he finally got his shot with the starting job in ‘21. Then, 5 months later he’s gone and can’t come back at all due to his head injury.
I can see their logic; we all wish the head injury didn’t happen for the obvious reason, and he would’ve been our LF guy for seasons to come.
Hope that he is healthy and able to continue playing.
Hope the health issues clear up.
Very nice.
Great move , hope he gets his confidence back. I always though the Yankees had it in for him for questioning being sent down a couple years back while hitting very well. He ticked someone off !!
Good for the Cubs.
Now they can trade him for Trout.
To The Mets missed war… thank you brother! I always appreciate people here stating positive things, facts or information. I wish there were ways to rid the trolls and such downers. I appreciate you and your comments. This is a good kid who will be well received. Good for you with Epps getting to spend some money!!!! Blessings to you and yours, Tom. And a great amount of blessings to the entire crew and their families at MLBTR!!
If he can stay healthy, this should be a steal of a deal for the Cubs. Better version of Michael Hermosillo who also keeps getting injured
Low risk. Possibly decent reward.
I wish him nothing but the best. Wish it worked out in the Bronx for Red Thunder, but unfortunately the injuries and recovery from his concussion got the best of him. Hopefully he’ll put on a good show for the Wrigley Faithful.
MISSED IT BY THAT [ = ] MUCH !!
According to informed sources, The Marlins were in on Clint Frazier right up until he signed the deal to join the Cubs.. The Marlins made a “strong” offer, but not one that matched the Cubs’ financial commitment. The Marlins weren’t the only team to be outbid.
The Minnesota Twins had also been linked to Frazier.
Marlins and Twins were outbid and the Cubs got him for less than 2M? There must be varying definitions of “strong” offer.
I would have liked to see the Pirates pick him up. Hard to believe he signed for only that much.
Over under on more time on field or IL?
The Cubs are also signing Yan Gomes.
The Cubs are just trying to catch some lightning in a bottle. .They are 2-3 years out before some of the MiLB talent is ready and hopefully Brennan Davis pushes them in 2022 to be called up. Meanwhile they should look to move on from Contreras and have Gomes school Amaya for the next two seasons, move Happ to a corner outfield position and see what a return for Hendricks would be at the trade deadline.
More like sifting the trash heap looking for nuggets. About all that cubs management has been doing.
Frazier’s numbers , minors included, show an average player, probably overdrafted. The cubs already have enough average right hand hitting OF’s on their 40 man roster.
As for Gomes schooling Amaya over the next 2 years, Amaya is going to be out for the 2022 season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Gomes was signed for 2 reasons 1) to back up Contreras for the 1st half of 2022 and 2) to be the regular backstop if/when the cubs fail to negotiate an extension with Contreras and they trade Willy at this season’s trade deadline. Based on their lack of success in negotiating extensions with the other core players, Contreras is likely to be gone at the deadline.
Or based on lack of success in players turning down more than fair offers of other core players . Boras screwed the pooch for Bryant . 10/250 . Good luck
Indians change their name.
Needed the roster spot to bring back Gardner to play CF when Hicks is on the IL.