Cubs add veteran utilityman Berti on 1-year deal (source)

CHICAGO – There is a lack of competition for starting roles around the diamond for the Cubs, but building up the depth behind the main cast has remained a priority for the front office as Spring Training looms. Injecting some experience into the bench group was going to be an important component in that process.

On Wednesday night, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that the Cubs were in agreement with infielder Jon Berti on a one-year contract that includes a $2 million base salary, plus up to $1.3 million in incentives. Berti would project to be a part of Chicago’s bench, offering depth at multiple spots.

Berti is precisely the type of player the front office described as a target during Cubs Convention last weekend.

“We’ll just try to continue to bring in guys that can play multiple positions in the infield, give us that depth,” Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said on Saturday. “Guys that would have experience of being able to play a Major League season and just gives us different alternatives.”

Berti, 35, has appeared in seven Major League seasons between stints with the Blue Jays, Marlins and Yankees. He led MLB in stolen bases (41) in 2022, hit at a .294 clip with 26 extra-base hits and 16 steals in 133 games in ‘23, and appeared in 25 games (logging a .342 on-base percentage) in ‘24.

Last season with the Yankees, Berti hit .273/.342/.318 in his 74 plate appearances, while garnering most of his time in the field at third base. He also has plenty of MLB experience at second base and shortstop, as well as time spent in all three outfield positions. In his career, Berti has hit .259/.337/.366 with 97 steals and a 92 OPS+ in 461 games.

During Cubs Con, Hawkins said the front office wanted to create a “safety net” at third base, where Matt Shaw (Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect and No. 22 on the Top 100 list) will be given a chance to earn the starting job. Berti can offer that protection at third, while also offering an option at second as Nico Hoerner works his way back from October surgery (flexor tendon in right forearm).

As far as the Cubs’ 40-man roster currently stands, the infield depth options include Vidal Bruján (acquired earlier this offseason from the Marlins), Gage Workman (added via the Rule 5 Draft), Ben Cowles (Pipeline’s No. 25 Cubs prospect, added to the roster this winter) and prospect Luis Vazquez.

The timing of Hoerner’s return is unclear, as he noted at Cubs Con that he has yet to resume hitting or throwing. The Cubs open the season earlier than usual with the Japan Series against the Dodgers happening on March 18-19 in Tokyo. Chicago’s more traditional opening game is on March 27 against the D-backs in Arizona. Hoerner said he would like to be ready for the beginning of the season, but plans to be smart about his rehab.

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“I’m happy with the progress that I’m making,” Hoerner said on Saturday. “It’s hard not to, from Day 1, start projecting out. I think I do myself and the team a bit of a disservice if I rush this process in any way. I think it is in my nature to push towards that direction, but straight up reps and work ethic, effort, doesn’t really heal your tendons. Patience is a huge part of it, too.”