The Cubs have signed infielder Matt Duffy to a minors deal, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. The pact comes with a $1MM major league salary and up to $500K in incentives.
The 29-year-old Duffy is best known for his time in the majors with the Giants and Rays from 2014-19. Duffy picked up 1,771 plate appearances during that stretch and hit a solid .282/.338/.380 with 22 home runs and 32 stolen bases. At his best, Duffy was a 4.4-fWAR player as part of the Giants in 2015, when he slashed .295/.334/.428 with career highs in homers (12) and steals (12) in 612 trips to the plate.
Duffy was a good producer as recently as 2018, though he struggled the next season during an injury-shortened year and hasn’t played in the majors since. He spent time with the Giants and Yankees on minor league contracts last season, but he wasn’t able to get back to the majors with either club. Primarily a third baseman, Duffy is now a member of a Cubs team with a clear starter there in Kris Bryant, though he has been the subject of trade rumors for a while and could move before next season begins.