Earlier this week, the Chicago Cubs cleared space on their 40-man roster by designating infielder for assignment in order to make room for veteran free agent Jon Berti. Now, the Cubs have traded the infielder.
This move follows a trend seen throughout the offseason, as the Cubs have let go of players only to see them eventually traded for cash considerations. Vázquez, who appeared in 11 games for the Cubs in 2024, is the latest to be involved in such a deal.
Vázquez, 25, has been part of the Cubs organization since he was drafted in 2017. After reaching Triple-A in 2023, he earned a reputation as a standout defensive player, particularly at shortstop, although he has also played second and third base. In 2024, Vázquez posted a .263/.347/.432 line with eight home runs in 64 games for the Iowa Cubs.
The Cubs also made some official moves on Tuesday, announcing the trade for Ryan Pressly and the signing of Jon Berti, a 35-year-old infielder who played for the New York Yankees in 2024. Berti agreed to a one-year contract for the 2025 season. To make room for Berti on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated Vázquez for assignment.
Berti’s deal is reportedly worth $2 million in base salary for the 2025 season, with the potential for an additional $1.3 million in incentives.
Vázquez, who made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2024, saw limited action during his two call-ups, with just 14 plate appearances in 11 games. He initially joined the Cubs on May 21 but was sent back down to Triple-A on May 30. He was recalled in August and remained with the team for the remainder of the season.
After a breakout 2023 campaign where he posted an .817 OPS with 20 home runs in 124 games between Double-A and Triple-A, Vázquez’s offensive numbers dipped in 2024, with a slash line of .263/.347/.432 at Triple-A. In his brief MLB stint, he went just 1-for-12 at the plate.
Known for his defensive prowess at shortstop, Vázquez has the potential to start at the position in the majors, though his bat remains a significant question mark. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be claimed off waivers by another team.