Cubs sign outfielder Noel Cuevas to minor-league deal

It’s a slow day in baseball news-land and you were certainly hoping for the Cubs to sign a different outfielder with the initials “N.C.,” but this is what you get:

Noel Cuevas, a native of Puerto Rico, was the Dodgers’ 21st-round draft pick in 2010. He was sent to the Rockies in 2014 as the PTBNL in the deal where Juan Nicasio was traded to the Dodgers.

He played in 75 games for the Rockies in 2018 and hit .233/.268/.315 (34-for-146) with two home runs. He played mostly in the minors in Colorado’s system in 2019 (one big-league game) and hit .278/.358/.439 with five home runs in 60 games for Triple-A Albuquerque.

He’s currently playing in the Mexican Winter League, where he is hitting .371/.407/.474 (43-for-116) in 28 games for Los Mochis.

This is nothing more than a depth signing. Cuevas, who is 28, will likely get an invite to spring training and be in the starting outfield at Triple-A Iowa.

Here’s a home run he hit off James Paxton in 2018, after a failed bunt attempt:

Like I said, it’s a slow baseball day, but thought you’d like to know.