With Opening Day around the corner, the Chicago Cubs have reportedly added non-roster invite Garrett Cooper to the roster. The veteran will look to offer manager Craig Counsell flexibility at both first base and designated hitter in the lineup.
It appeared evident that Cooper would make the team after Dominic Smith opted out of his deal and Patrick Wisdom to start the season on the IL. As the Cubs look to Cooper to hold down the fort, he will hope to find a permanent role on the 2024 roster.
The former All-Star has had a solid career. Spending the majority of his career with the Miami Marlins, Cooper was a 2023 trade deadline acquisition of the San Diego Padres. His stats were relatively pedestrian last season, but it seemed rather odd he settled for a spring training invite.
Cooper reportedly had five offers, including one from the Boston Red Sox. By joining the Cubs instead, it looks like he made the correct choice given that it has netted him a spot on the big league club.
With Michael Busch seemingly being the team's choice at first base, Cooper could potentially spell Busch in the lineup against left-handed pitching. With the designated hitter spot in the lineup wide open, he could also stand to benefit from more playing time.
As the Cubs deal with the injuries of Patrick Wisdom and Nick Madrigal, Cooper is already on the clock to produce. When both players make their eventual returns, the team will then evaluate who stays, and who goes. Cooper will hope to do the former.
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