The Chicago Cubs continued to add to their organizational depth before pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 9. Whether in the bullpen or as the fifth infielder, depth was something that Chicago struggled with mightily in 2024.
Star power was another need for the front office to address this offseason, and Kyle Tucker, joining the organization in a trade with the Astros was a huge step in the right direction on that front. Another move was made on Sunday to add to the infield before 2025.
Jon Heyman reported on Sunday that the club officially agreed to a minor league deal with infielder Nicky Lopez. The 29-year-old has six seasons of big-league ball under his belt and should have an opportunity to make the team out of Spring Training. If Lopez makes the Opening Day roster, his salary for 2025 will sit at $1.5 million, per reports.
Lopez is a Chicagoland area native, having grown up in Naperville and graduating from Naperville Central High School. He played his college ball at Creighton and was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the fifth round of the 2016 draft.
Lopez won’t need to pack his things if he makes the Opening Day roster after spending last season on the Southside.
Chicago Cubs’ Nicky Lopez spent last year with the Chicago White Sox
Lopez slashed .241/.312/.294 in 398 at-bats with the Sox in 2024. He was given plenty of opportunities for the team that finished with the most losses in a season in the modern era.
Lopez’s 0.2 WAR was one of the lower marks that he posted in that category in his career, so a minor league contract was likely the best that he was going to do in the free agent market this offseason.
Prior to 2024, Lopez split time in the 2023 season between Atlanta and Kansas City.
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