Cubs sign Cameron Maybin to a minor-league deal

For a time this offseason, the Cubs had just two outfielders on their 40-man roster — Ian Happ and Jason Heyward. You need more than that to play a game!

Fortunately, guys like Joc Pederson, Phil Ervin and Jake Marisnick have been added. And now, another outfielder joins the mix:

Cameron Maybin was acquired from the Tigers for prospect Zack Short at the August 31 trading deadline last year. He hit .250/.304/.365 (13-for-52) in a Cubs uniform with three stolen bases.

His most memorable moment as a Cub came September 15 against the Indians at Wrigley Field, when he had a walkoff HBP. This video shows that as well as Willson Contreras, the previous batter, also being hit by a pitch.

Maybin turns 34 in April and no longer has the speed he once did, but he still plays a pretty good outfield and did hit 11 home runs in 82 games for the Yankees in 2019. He’s also been a well-liked teammate everywhere he’s played.

It would seem that there’s no place for him on the Opening Day roster with Happ, Heyward, Pederson, Ervin and Marisnick as the likely five OD outfielders. But perhaps he’d go to Triple-A Iowa as a potential injury-replacement guy, with some opt-out dates in case another team is interested before the Cubs recall him.

This is a useful signing for depth. Last week the Cubs announced 25 non-roster invitees to spring camp; with the additions of Maybin and Brandon Workman, the Cubs will have 67 players in camp.