The Cubs are avoiding arbitration with a hand full of players as Cubs Convention gets set to open up at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.
Although most Chicago Cubs fans are focusing on the Cubs Convention in Chicago, the Cubs' front office is still busy at work. According to a few reports, the Cubs have agreed to contracts with Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer, avoiding arbitration.
Madrigal's return might surprise some fans. However, with depth becoming an ever important issue for MLB clubs, so keeping Madrigal in the fold to play second base is useful. He can fill in if Nico Hoerner gets injured or if he has to shift to shortstop for a potential Dansby Swanson injury.
Madrigal's 2022 season spanned only 59 games with the Cubs. He played 12 games in Triple-A Iowa, but that was when he was making his return from numerous injuries. In those 59 games with the Cubs, he slashed .249/.305/.282 with seven doubles and seven RBI. However, Madrigal was really good in August, slashing .300/.378/.338 in 80 plate appearances.
As for Heuer, he missed the 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. Heuer will likely make appearances in 2023, but it will still take time for him to full ramp up to his usual ability. In 2021, after being acquired in the Craig Kimbrel trade, Heuer posted a 3.14 ERA in 25 games.
As more updates become available, we'll update this article. For now, the Cubs will set their focus to the Cubs Convention this weekend.
UPDATE: Nico Hoerner and the Cubs also agreed to terms and avoided arbitration on Friday, per Jon Heyman.
Hoerner is coming off a very strong 2022 season. Not only did Hoerner make an argument for the Gold Glove at shortstop, but he also slashed .281/.327/.410 with 10 home runs, 55 RBI, 22 doubles, and 20 stolen bases. Hoerner really came into his own in all facets of his game last season. Now, the next logical step is to extend the 25-year-old.
UPDATE: The Cubs and Ian Happ have settled on a one-year deal for the 2023 season. The deal will pay Happ $10.85 million. Happ is coming off a Gold Glove and All-Star season in 2022, leading many fans to call for an extension. A clean settlement on a 2023 deal is important, but now fans are awaiting an announcement regarding an extension.
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