On the same day that the Chicago Cubs agreed to a deal with former MVP Cody Bellinger, the organization also agreed to a deal with former All-Star Garrett Cooper.
Per Miami Marlins' reporter Craig Mish on social media:
First Baseman Garrett Cooper is signing with the Chicago Cubs per source. NRI.
The 33-year-old Cooper is a seven-year veteran who has played for the New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres.
He actually made the All-Star Game in 2022 as a member of the Marlins and represents a good source of possible power for Chicago. Lifetime, he's a .268 hitter with 56 homers. He hit a career-high 17 homers in 2023 between Miami and San Diego. He hit .251 for the season.
As a non-roster invitee, there's no guarantee that Cooper makes the team out of spring training, but with that kind of pop and that kind of pedigree, you'd have to think he'd have a real good shot. He can play first base or designated hitter and represents a powerful option off the bench if that's how new manager Craig Counsell wants to play it.
Right now, the Cubs figure to have youngster Michael Busch as the first baseman, but given that he's never gone through a major league season, perhaps Cooper can gain the leg up.
The Cubs finished second in the National League Central and missed the playoffs in 2023 but after re-signing Bellinger and bringing in Counsell, the general consensus is that they are the favorite.
At various points of the offseason, we heard Cooper connected to the Milwaukee Brewers and Boston Red Sox. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Red Sox finished second in the battle for him.
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