Cubs agree to one year deal with Hosmer

*Photo from MassLive*

   Needing a stopgap option at first, the Chicago Cubs got it done. The Cubs and 1B Eric Hosmer have agreed to a one year contract for 2023, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The Cubs have confirmed the signing.

   With Hosmer's contract situation, he serves as a no risk addition for the Cubs. He's still on the hook for 3 years and $39 million from the San Diego Padres as part of a 8 year, $144 million deal he originally signed. With the Padres still paying his entire contract, the Cubs will only have to pay Hosmer the league minimum for as long as he is with the team.

   Last season was spent on both coasts for Hosmer, playing for the Padres and the Boston Red Sox. He produced a combined .268 batting average, .334 on base percentage, and .716 OPS, hitting 8 home runs with 44 RBI's in 104 games played.

   In 12 big league seasons, Hosmer has played for the Padres, Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals. In that time, he has amassed a .277 batting average, .428 slugging percentage, and .336 on base percentage, adding 879 RBI's with 196 home runs in 1,658 games played. Hosmer has a .257 batting average with 4 home runs and 33 RBI's in 37 career playoff games.

   The Cubs get a high contact bat in Hosmer, which helps Chicago's lineup with a strikeout problem they've been having in recent seasons. He also comes to the Cubs with a World Series title in 2015, a one time all star in 2016, and 4 gold glove awards, the most recent being in 2017.

   Hosmer will also help bring stability to the first base position after the Cubs used a rotating door of players at first following Frank Schwindel's tenure. Cubs first basemen in 2022 produced a .223 batting average with a .627 OPS and 69 OPS+ last season, which Hosmer is sure to help increase. He also provides adequate defense despite a decline in previous seasons.

   In Chicago, Hosmer is likely going to platoon with Patrick Wisdom at first as top prospect Matt Mervis continues to develop. So far this offseason, the Cubs have brought on Brad Boxberger, Jameson Taillon, Dansby Swanson, and Cody Bellinger as they look to complete a quick rebuild.