The Chicago Cubs once had hoped that Nick Madrigal would be a future building block for them when they traded for him back in 2021.
Sadly, that didn’t happen with Madrigal proving to just be a bat off the bench and not providing much versatility.
The Cubs made the decision this offseason to move on from Madrigal by non-tendering him a contract for this season with the Cubs finding better options.
Former Chicago Cubs infielder signs with the Mets
According to Jon Heyman the New York Mets are signing Madrigal to a major league deal pending a physical.
“Mets are signing Nick Madrigal pending physical“
Mets are signing Nick Madrigal pending physical
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 31, 2025
Madrigal was drafted in the first round fourth overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft. Madrigal debuted for the White Sox two years later during the shortened 2020 season where he went 0-3 against the Kansas City Royals.
The Sacramento, California native was traded by the White Sox in 2021 over to the Cubs with Codi Heuer for closer Craig Kimbrel. In his three seasons with the Cubs, Madrigal fell below expectations with only being a .251/.304/.616 hitter with an OPS and OPS+ of .616 and 73. Significantly lower than his OPS and OPS+ from when he was with the White Sox when they were .764 and 109 respectively.
Last season proved to be the worst year in Madrigal’s career with career lows in average (.221), OBP (.280), and slugging (.535). These low numbers led to his demotion to Triple-A where he sadly fractured his hand in his first game.
Madrigal proved to not be as versatile as the Cubs had hoped he would be with being limited to playing second and third base. With not showing the necessary power to be a third baseman or the range to be a second baseman Madrigal was not worth the cost to keep around. With all the prospects the Cubs have coming up through their system Madrigal proved expendable.
Best of luck to Madrigal with the Mets
Madrigal will get a decent shot to win the Mets starting third base job with the Mets seeming less likely to sign Pete Alonso.
Signing Madrigal would give them someone who can play third base so they can move Mark Vientos over to first.
Chicago Cubs: capping a truly impressive offseason
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