Cubs Sign Jonathan Villar

The Cubs have agreed to a contract with infielder Jonathan Villar, per Robert Murray of FanSided. The switch-hitting Villar spent the 2021 season with the Mets. The Cubs will be the seventh MLB roster he’s been a part of.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that it’s a one-year deal worth $6 million. The deal also includes a mutual option for 2023 as well as performance bonuses.

In his age-30 season, Villar had a bit of a bounce-back year after a rough 2020 season. He hit .249/.322/.416 (102 OPS+) with 18 homers, 18 doubles, 14 steals, and 1.7 rWAR across 505 plate appearances. Villar hit 15 of his homers as a left-handed hitter.

Villar also spent time playing third base, shortstop, and second base. Villar’s defense at third base was below average, as he committed 14 errors and had negative-4 DRS, but he registered 4 DRS at shortstop in just 199 innings. Villar has also seen time in the outfield in the past, though he didn’t play there at all last year.

Villar received most of his plate appearances as the team’s lead-off hitter and his .810 OPS from the lead-off spot was the highest he had at any spot in the lineup. He will likely slot into a similar role with the Cubs, who recently brought on Japanese star Seiya Suzuki.

With Villar gone, expect the Mets to turn to Luis Guillorme to serve as the team’s primary backup infielder. The Mets also signed utility man Tzu-Wei Lin per our own Michael Mayer.

Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte appear to be the most likely options to serve as the team’s lead-off hitter.