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CHICAGO -- Jon Berti is not exactly sure how his role will play out for the Cubs this season, but the veteran infielder plans on being ready for anything. That was his main takeaway after a recent conversation with manager Craig Counsell.

¡°He kind of just reiterated that he likes guys who can play all around the infield, all around the diamond,¡± Berti said via Zoom on Wednesday. ¡°Wherever I fit in, I'll fit in. That's never been an issue for me.¡±

The Cubs wanted an experienced player for their bench and Berti -- with seven years in the big leagues, a handful of postseason runs and the ability to man multiple infield and outfield spots -- fit the bill. He said he had interest from multiple teams, but was drawn to playing for the Cubs and trying to help the team reach the playoffs.

Berti can offer protection at third base, where rookie Matt Shaw (Pipeline¡¯s top Cubs prospect and No. 19 on the Top 100) is currently the leading contender for the job. The 35-year-old can be ready for second, where Nico Hoerner is working his way back from October surgery on his right forearm. Berti¡¯s name can also be on the depth chart for shortstop and the outfield.

With the Cubs also wanting some right-handed balance at first base behind Michael Busch, Berti is ready to help out there, too.

¡°Yeah, if that¡¯s what¡¯s needed,¡± Berti said. ¡°I actually got a lot of help from former Cub great Anthony Rizzo. He taught me a lot and I¡¯m looking forward to taking that into the future, if needed.¡±

During the Yankees¡¯ postseason run last fall, Berti made three starts at first base between the American League Division Series and Championship Series, while Rizzo was out with injury. Berti said the former Cubs first baseman helped with a ¡°crash course¡± on playing the position, helping the utility man quickly find a comfort level at that spot.

¡°I was asking him a million questions,¡± Berti said. ¡°Positioning. How he holds the bag. Certain situations, where does he go? Advice on bunt plays. Anything and everything.¡±

A right hip flexor injury in the ALCS removed Berti from the playoff roster, taking him out of the mix for the World Series and ending a frustrating season on the health front. Berti missed most of April with the Yankees due to a left groin strain and then lost three-plus months between May and September with a left calf strain.

Those setbacks limited Berti to just 25 games in ¡®24 for New York, which saw him post a .273/.342/.318 slash line while on the field. One year earlier, Berti posted a .748 OPS in 133 games for the Marlins and he was the MLB leader in stolen bases (41) in ¡®22. The Cubs will hope that Berti¡¯s versatility and speed when healthy can boost the bench.

¡°I¡¯ve always been a huge fan of the Cubs' organization,¡± Berti said. ¡°My goal, obviously, is to help bring a championship back to Chicago. And the first step, obviously, is making the playoffs and going from there.¡±