Nicky Lopez reportedly joins Cubs as infield depth
The Cubs continue to add to their infield depth.
Chicagoland native Nicky Lopez is reportedly joining the Cubs on a minor-league deal.
[MORE: Latest in Cubs, Alex Bregman free agency pursuit]
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman first reported the deal and ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported framework of the contract situation:
Lopez is a native of Naperville, Ill., where he attended high school at Naperville Central.
He spent 2024 on the South Side of Chicago, playing 124 games with the White Sox. He hit .241/.312/.294 (.606 OPS) with 1 homer, 21 RBI and 5 stolen bases in 445 plate appearances.
Prior to last year, he spent part of a season in Atlanta and most of the past 5 years with the Kansas City Royals.
In total, Lopez has notched 6.2 WAR in 668 career MLB games. He will turn 30 in March and bats left-handed, providing another infield option from that side of the plate.
The Cubs have worked to address their infield depth and bench players this winter, parting ways with veterans like Mike Tauchman, Nick Madrigal and Patrick Wisdom.
In their place are players like Gage Workman (Rule 5 pick), veteran Jon Berti and former top prospect Vidal Bruján.
[MORE: Anthony Rizzo helped recruit Jon Berti to Cubs this offseason]
The Cubs also have Ben Cowles on their 40-man roster after they acquired him at the trade deadline last summer.
And then there are a pair of prospects – Matt Shaw and James Triantos – who are knocking at the door of the big leagues.
The Cubs have an open spot at third base, where Lopez has experience (61 MLB games) while Berti, Bruján and Workman can all be in the mix. Shaw is the team’s top prospect and after raking in the minor leagues, looks to have a strong chance at making the Opening Day roster as the starting third baseman.
Lopez adds to the list of players who can provide depth in case Shaw isn’t ready for the majors immediately or if Nico Hoerner needs more time to recover from his offseason forearm surgery.