The Cubs have signed infielder Jake Hager to a minor league contract over the weekend. Hager made an appearance for their complex affiliate in Arizona and, according to the MLB.com transaction log, is now headed to Triple-A Iowa.
Hager, a right-handed hitter, has played in 42 major league games with the Mets and Diamondbacks, batting .197/.307/.224 with 31 strikeouts in 89 plate appearances between 2021-22. Last season, he spent most of his time in Triple-A with Arizona, posting a .245/.301/.415 slash line in the Pacific Coast League before being released in August.
Drafted 32nd overall in 2011 out of high school, Hager has played parts of seven seasons at Triple-A for five different organizations (excluding Chicago). In over 500 games at that level, he has a .242/.301/.389 batting line. While primarily a shortstop in the minors, he also has significant experience at second and third base, with occasional appearances in the outfield.
The Cubs, having lost some minor league infield depth due to Nick Madrigal’s hand injury, are light on experienced Triple-A infielders. Hager’s signing provides a straightforward solution as a depth option.
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