The Chicago Cubs continue to make moves to bolster their chances of making the postseason in 2025 after being on the fringes of a playoff berth for the past two seasons. On Wednesday, they made an addition in free agency that may not be too needle-moving, but should aid in their goals for the upcoming season regardless. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Cubs have struck an agreement with former New York Yankees third baseman Jon Berti.
Berti’s deal with the Cubs, as per Feinsand, is worth $2 million base, although he can make up to $1.3 million more in incentives, potentially raising the entire value of his deal to $3.3 million. Berti may not be a guaranteed everyday starter for the Cubs, but he still should provide plenty of utility for the team with his defensive versatility, veteran knowhow, and incredible speed on the basepaths.
The 35-year-old third baseman played in just 25 games for the Yankees last season, as he was deployed mostly as a defensive replacement or as a pinch-runner. But there could very well be some untapped value in Berti that the Cubs could unearth. In 2022 and 2023, his contributions were worth a combined 4.3 WAR (per Fangraphs), as he stole a total of 57 bases (41 in 2022 alone) in 235 games during that span.
At this point, there is a chance that Berti could start the 2025 season as the Cubs’ everyday third baseman. Chicago ended last season with Isaac Paredes manning the hot corner, but the team dealt him away to the Houston Astros earlier this offseason in the trade that brought in Kyle Tucker.
Fangraphs’ current Cubs depth chart has top prospect Matt Shaw penciled in for the lion’s share of playing time at the hot corner. But considering how high the team is on Shaw, there could be some service-time shenanigans involving him to start the season. Nonetheless, it shouldn’t take too long before Berti settles in as a versatile utilityman for Craig Counsell.
Cubs look to take control of wide-open NL Central
Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) looks towards the dugout after hitting a single during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The NL Central could very the Cubs’ for the taking this 2025. The reigning division champion, Milwaukee Brewers, is undergoing many roster transitions, although it’s not wise to doubt how capable the Brewers are of shattering expectations yet again. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cincinnati Reds are huge question marks on their own.
The Cubs certainly sense the huge opportunity that lies in wait of them in 2025, and they are making moves accordingly to seize that opportunity.
