Many of us here had, after we heard that former Twins and Brewers 3B Corey Koskie was working out, that the Cubs might sign him to a minor league deal if he was healthy; his LH bat and experience at 3B are exactly what the Cubs need.
This has now happened. From the official release:
The Chicago Cubs and infielder Corey Koskie have agreed to terms on a 2009 minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. The deal is pending Koskie passing a physical.
Koskie is scheduled to report to Team Canada next week and will participate in the World Baseball Classic. He will report to Cubs camp following Canada’s participation in the WBC.
Presuming he passes that physical, the Cubs will get a chance to scout him playing in the WBC, and if he does well there, I think he has a real good shot at making the team as a backup 3B/1B. Most likely, assistant GM Randy Bush was behind this, with his Twins connection.