MESA, ARIZ. – The Cubs have a new shortstop.
Free agent Andrelton Simmons has agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Cubs, the Sun-Times confirmed. The club was in need of at least middle infield depth coming out of the Major League Baseball lockout.
MLB Networks’ Jon Heyman was first to report the details of Simmons’ deal.
Simmons, 32, is a four-time gold glover. But he struggled at the plate for the Twins last season, slashing .223/.283/.274. He holds a career .264 batting average.
Simmons adds a veteran presence to the Cubs’ middle infield options and added flexibility to work in rest days for second baseman Nick Madrigal and versatile infielder/outfielder Nico Hoerner.