The Cubs have selected the contract of catcher P.J. Higgins, per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. In a corresponding move, utility player Ildemaro Vargas has been designated for assignment.
Higgins, 29, was a 12th round selection of the Cubs in the 2015 draft, who worked his way up to make his big league debut last year. Unfortunately, after just nine games in the majors, he landed on the injured list with a forearm strain which ultimately required surgery and finished his season. He was outrighted in the offseason and became a free agent, but quickly re-signed with the Cubs on a minor league deal. He’s evidently put the injury behind him, as he’s off to a scorching hot start this year. In 22 Triple-A games so far, he’s hitting .417/.500/.569, 193 wRC+.
The Cubs needed to add a catcher to the roster due to Willson Contreras suffering a hamstring injury yesterday. That injury doesn’t seem to be serious enough for a stint on the injured list, though Higgins will combine with Yan Gomes as the club’s catching duo until Contreras is ready to return to game action.
As for Vargas, he’s never hit much in the big leagues, as evidenced by his batting line of .227/.265/.354, 60 wRC+ over 186 career games. However, he’s often proved alluring to teams due to his extreme versatility, seeing time with the Diamondbacks, Twins, Pirates and Cubs. In addition to being a switch-hitter, he’s also slotted into the defensive alignment at every spot on the diamond outside of center field and the battery. In ten games with the Cubs this year, he’s hit .130/.231/.348 for a wRC+ of 64 while playing second base and shortstop. The Cubs will have a week to trade him or put him on waivers. If he were to clear, he would have the ability to reject an outright assignment and elect free agency, as he’s been previously outrighted in his career.
If Vargas’s track record is any indication, he’ll have a new home soon.
It would be cool if he is claimed, or someone trades for him.
He made several killer errors since Hoerner’s been out.
Vargas isn’t seen as alluring, he is seen as alive. He is the Koyie Hill of infielders.
bases loaded triple in first at bar this year
Can we please DFA Hermosillo next or do we really need his .046/.250/.091 slash line in the line up every time we face a lefty?
If Morel shows he can hit lefties in the big leagues and play a passable CF, I can’t imagine that Hermasillo will stay.
He’s a very solid centerfielder. That’s why they’ve kept him up there.
I don’t think you can DFA an injured player.
As long as it doesn’t stall Morel’s development. He can play all over the diamond, well. Defensively, he could very well be a more valuable, athletic version of Zobrist. The throw Morel made from third the other day while falling backwards was insane!