Chicago Cubs Ink DeJesus to 2-Year, $10 Million Deal
November 30, 2011
In a move that is sure to inspire some (ever-so-slight) interest in Wrigleyville, the Chicago Cubs have locked 32-year-old David DeJesus into a two-year deal.
DeJesus has been an above-average fielder his entire career, adding legitimate value to a position where the Cubs could sorely use it.
Coming off a dreadful 2011 season, where he couldn't produce or stay healthy, DeJesus is looking to rebound to the nicer seasons of 2008-2010. Over those three years, he hit .300 with a .365 on-base percentage and averaged an OPS above .800.
If he simply stays healthy and produces like he did those three seasons, he'll be an above-average right fielder who adds value to his current team and becomes a very useful trading chip at the deadline.
This move must, realistically, spell the definite end of Marlon Byrd, who's also coming off an embarrassing season. Byrd is 34 years old, and the time for trading him has, without a doubt, finally come.
DeJesus has lost any semblance of base-stealing speed, but he's still a very useful top-of-the-order hitter who makes contact and gets on base with the best of them. He can be an ideal role model for Brett Jackson to look up to and try to emulate.
He's very non-impact, and he's not exciting, but it's refreshing to see Epstein's first signing is a sensible one. However, I'm sure that certain Cubs fans won't get extremely excited about a sensible-spending Theo, even if the moves are the right ones.