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P.J. Higgins Elects Free Agency

By Steve Adams | January 9, 2023 at 12:13pm CDT

Catcher P.J. Higgins has rejected an outright assignment from the Cubs in favor of free agency, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post (Twitter link). Chicago designated Higgins for assignment in late December in order to open a spot on the roster for newly signed Tucker Barnhart, and Higgins cleared outright waivers last week. It was the second time in his career he’d gone unclaimed and been assigned outright to a minor league affiliate, however, which granted him the right to reject that assignment and explore his opportunities elsewhere.

Higgins, 29, appeared in 74 games for the Cubs in 2022, batting .229/.310/.383 with six homers, 11 doubles and a triple in 229 plate appearances. He walked at a 9.6% clip and punched out in 25.3% of those trips to the plate. That marked just the second season in which Higgins has had big league experience, with the 2021 season — when he appeared in just nine games — standing as the only other.

A 12th-round pick out of Old Dominion back in 2015, Higgins has been a generally productive hitter in the minors but has never received a particularly long big league look with the Cubs — due in no small part to the presence of Willson Contreras in the Majors for the entirety of his pro career to this point. Higgins has torn through Triple-A pitching at a .338/.429/.535 pace, though that’s come through just 274 plate appearances in a generally hitter-friendly setting. Overall, he’s a career .279/.365/.378 hitter in parts of seven minor league seasons.

Higgins was touted as an average or better defensive catcher back when Baseball America ranked him 22nd among Cubs farmhands in 2017, but he had some struggles in the Majors this past season. Higgins threw out just 16% of runners who attempted to steal against him — well below the league-average 24% — and he ranked near the bottom of the league with his average “pop time” in such situations, per Statcast. Both FanGraphs and Statcast pegged him as a below-average framer, as well, and Defensive Runs Saved dinged him at -6 for his work behind the plate in 2022.

That said, there’s more to Higgins’ defensive skill set than just his work behind the plate. He was an infielder at Old Dominion and in his first season of pro ball, and the Cubs have continued to get him work at other positions throughout his career. Catcher has remained his primary position since 2016, but Higgins has a total of 732 innings at first base, 575 innings at third base and even 93 innings at second and 37 innings at shortstop. He’s unlikely to be viewed as a regular option at any of those infield slots, of course, but it’s a nice bit of versatility to be able to market to other clubs as Higgins looks for a new opportunity as a minor league free agent for the first time in his career.

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Chicago Cubs Transactions P.J. Higgins

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View Comments (17)

Comments

  1. Buzz Killington

    4 weeks ago

    Samsung Lions incoming.

    Reply
  2. Unclemike1526

    4 weeks ago

    Well that was a delayed reaction. Somebody must of told his agent they were interested. Hope it works out for him. Good guy.

    Reply
  3. The Big Yo

    4 weeks ago

    I see Oakland in his future

    Reply
    • Dogbone

      4 weeks ago

      Higgins really isn’t a bad player. A team in need of his skill set, could do a lot worse.

      Reply
  4. cheugy

    4 weeks ago

    He’ll find a home.

    Reply
    • gfan

      4 weeks ago

      Farhan on line one.

      Reply
      • Mattimeo09

        4 weeks ago

        Cohen on line two.

        Reply
  5. kgcubs

    4 weeks ago

    Aloha folks, I admit I wish Jed could have pulled off a trade for Murphy or signed Vasquez. Then trade Gomes if need be, hold onto Higgins til Amaya or another option was available. I totally understand his decision especially now that he’s 29yrs old. I wish him well. Mahalo

    Reply
  6. Astro fan 111

    4 weeks ago

    Looks like a possible fit for the Astros

    Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      4 weeks ago

      He’s a good fit for just about any team. It’s a bonus he can play 1st as well.

      Reply
  7. Cleon Jones

    4 weeks ago

    Sioux Falls Canaries are in need.

    Reply
  8. formerdraftpick

    4 weeks ago

    Who needs a backup catcher? I think there might be quite a few teams.

    Reply
  9. 1090198

    4 weeks ago

    Pirates need a second catcher

    Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      4 weeks ago

      Rays need a first catcher!

      Reply
  10. algionfriddo

    4 weeks ago

    Solid backup guy. Hope he catches on with a team. Reds, Giants & Rockies could be a decent fit.

    Reply
  11. Steve Rogers

    4 weeks ago

    Very mature comments from others here. Higgins at best is a utility ball player and may want to work on his hitting. There will be a team that picks him up on a minor league contract. If not then a foreign league will. Good luck and thank you PJ!

    Reply
    • willyb

      4 weeks ago

      It’s really tough to improve hitting without regular ABs…. Higgins does have a skill set that should appeal to a few GMs … I’m betting he lands on a MLB roster in 2023 and not need to go overseas…

      Reply

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