The Cubs signed veteran outfielder Trayce Thompson to a minor league contract yesterday afternoon. While the team never made a formal announcement, the Wasserman client’s signing is reflected on the team’s transaction log at MLB.com, and Thompson already suited up with the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate in Des Moines last night, going 1-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
Thompson, 33, was cut loose by the Mets earlier this month after spending 62 games with their Triple-A club in Syracuse. The former second-rounder hit .228/.300/.500 in 253 plate appearances during his stint with the Mets organization. He’ll now return to the Cubs for a second stint; Thompson was also with the Cubs in 2021, ripping 21 homers in 88 games with Iowa and also appearing in 15 big league games as a Cub.
Though he’s never been a regular in the majors, Thompson has accrued more than four years of service time scattered across parts of seven MLB campaigns. In 369 games and 1058 plate appearances between the White Sox, Dodgers, A’s and Padres, Thompson carries a .212/.300/.411 batting line. He’s walked in a hefty 10.9% of his career plate appearances but also fanned at an untenable 32.7% rate. He’s long had impressive raw power and earlier in his career also boasted plus speed, though Statcast measured him as average in that regard last season in 72 games split between the Dodgers and ChiSox.
Thompson gives the Cubs some depth across all three slots in the outfield. His ability to play anywhere in the outfield took on extra importance just hours after signing with the Cubs, as Cody Bellinger exited last night’s game against the Orioles after being plunked on the hand by a 97 mph heater from Baltimore lefty Cionel Perez. It’s not clear yet whether there’s a fracture or enough swelling that Bellinger will require a stay on the 10-day injured list, but Bellinger noted following the game last night that he had to depart because he wasn’t able to throw a ball.
Even in the event of a Bellinger absence, the Cubs could go with outfield prospect Alexander Canario to take his spot on the big league roster. Whatever the immediate future holds, Thompson gives the Cubs an experienced depth option who’s posted a .237/.307/.465 batting line in parts of seven Triple-A seasons and who, with 16 long balls already in the books this year, looks well on his way to his fifth professional season with 20-plus homers.
This move will lead the turnaround to a championship for the Cubs. Mark my words.
The Thompson the Cubs need is Bobby…
Or even Bobby Thomson, who did play for them in “58 and ’59.
This dude gets more opportunities than any fringe major leaguer I’ve ever seen. Great agent.
Exactly what I’ve been thinking for years now. Thompson is the present day Ryan Langerhans – king of AAA, has speed, solid defense, but cannot hit worth a damn at the major league level with any consistency. Great pickup if your AAA team is in the hunt for a championship.
If he had such a great agent, he’d be getting major league contracts.
Most guys his age with his track record are long gone. His agent is a miracle worker for getting him even a minor league deal
His agent appears to be working magic, but unfortunately his agent can’t bat for him as well.
Good luck Trayce . Hope you get a call up!
After his 2 for 33 start in Syracuse, he has hit .259/.333/.570.
It took him a while to warm up, but he has good numbers since. 16 HR 40 RBI in last 90 days. Strikeout rate dropped.
Good depth pickup for the Cubs. It was him or Ben Gamel in New York, and the Mets went with Gamel ( probably because of the Milwaukee connection) and gave Trayce his release.
Good luck Trayce.
I’m guessing they chose Gamel over Thompson because Gamel is better.
What a joke!
No, but you know what is a joke? Your team! Why don’t you focus on your record-setting futility of a ballclub rather than posting about the Cubs.
At least the Sox don’t have the 3rd highest payroll in baseball (Cubs).
Cubs are stuck in last place for rest of season!!
The Cubs are a small winning streak away from wild card contention.
It’s the Sox that are stuck in last place this season, probably next season, and maybe 2026, too.
The White Sox have the worst record in baseball and won’t get a pick in the top 10, now that is funny.
That is kinda funny.
ChiSox_fan: I wish the Sox did have the third highest payroll. I hate the cubs, but at least their owner spends a few bucks.
Sox are trash.
Sox have #5 in this week’s draft and 5 of the top 107 picks.
Not worried.
Next year is next year.
Another 10 year rebuild for two years of mediocrity
Bellinger likely to 60-day IL maybe.
Thank god….thought for sure the CWS would sign him again, again and again.
I was just relieved the Dodgers kept themselves from bringing him back a third time. The front office really needs a restraining order to prevent any future moments of weakness where one of them have had a few too many and signs him on impulse.
Busch & Morel for LRJ?!
You didn’t think too hard to post that, did you?
Don’t be shocked if Happ or Suzuki are traded in July for the purpose of reallocating money to a greater impact bat acquisition next offseason.
They are easier to move/get off the books than inconsistent Bellinger who has a lot of opt-in money owed for 2.5yrs.
They both have no trade clause
They will surely OK a trade if it meant they were going to a contender (most anyone besides the Cubs).
Here are the Woeful White Sox fans advising Big Uptown Brother what to do.
Ironic.
Lester: The cubs don’t play in Uptown.
If a really good team wants them they respect (eg. Braves), most players are flexible to waive it.
They could DL Bellinger and promote Caissie. It would take a 40 man spot and Davis would be a prime candidate to get cut.
It paves a road to next year and pushes Suzuki into the primary DH role.
IMO if there is not a upgrade to 3B or catcher on a return you do nothing. Cubs have talent pending.
There is no DL
Not to mention Caissie is dinged up and not on the 40 man. Otherwise, Great plan.
New Bum of the week. Oh wait, Old Bum of the week. I’m getting a feeling of Deja Vu. I’m getting a feeling of Deja Vu.
Thumbs down to this signing
Does seem to portend bad news for Bellinger….
The Cubs signed Thompson before Bellinger got hit.
Nico got hot and the Cubs got hot, weird how that works. Counsell needs to take notice and not bury Hoerner towards the bottom of the line up again.
With several high leverage arms due to come off the IL, Cubs are in good position for a run. Add a reliever and a bat, cut some deadweight, trade Tauchman and make a push in the second half.
All teams go on a streak eventually. It’s just odd that coming up on a tough part of the schedule, Now they decide to show up. One minute they’re dead, The next once again they’re supposed to be buyers? I hope they don’t make the same mistake as last year and just decide to trust the young guys. They need the playing time. Sell a little, Drop some salary if possible before the deadline and for once make some smart moves. I’d be impressed. Sad that their best trade chip just got his hand trashed. Bad timing.
just ask your brother for a few million, hang it up
I guess Brewers fans get the last laugh, since Cubs fans though Counsell was the difference maker.
Hoyer’s the difference maker. Good POBO. Bad GM.
Wish the A’s had picked him up again and got rid of brown….brown has crushed his way back to the lineup tonight…come on brown, get it together man!
Lots of hate for a guy with a 107 ops+
You should see how many Cub fans hate Ian Happ.
Sometimes ops+ has a way of evading the eye test. It all comes down to how genuinely productive a player is, and Happ may have the fringe stats, but he needs to do a WAY better job at moving the needle.