Cubs to sign D-backs free agent Daniel Descalso for 2 years
Dec 18, 2018, 10:01 AM | Updated: 10:32 am
Arizona Diamondbacks' Daniel Descalso slides safely into home against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept 9, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
(AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
The Chicago Cubs are signing former Arizona Diamondbacks utility player and current free agent Daniel Descalso for two years with a team option for a third year, 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station John Gambadoro reported Tuesday.
The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal was first to report that a deal was in place, later adding that the two years of the deal was worth $5 million, which Gambadoro confirmed. Rosenthal had said last week that Chicago was in “strong pursuit” of the 32-year-old.
Descalso, a left-handed bat, proved valuable last season for the Diamondbacks as he was most-known for his timely hitting. In 138 games, he hit .238 with 13 home runs and 57 RBI and a .789 OPS. In “high leverage” situations, according to Baseball Reference, Descalso hit .288 with a .969 OPS, producing four home runs and 31 RBI in just 82 plate appearances.
In 2018 alone, Descalso played second, third, first, designated hitter and left field, and he even had two pitching appearances totaling 3.1 innings.
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He has spent each of his last two seasons in Arizona.
Before joining the Diamondbacks, Descalso spent five seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and two more with the Colorado Rockies. For his career, he’s a .240 hitter. He has made at least one major league appearance at every position on the field except catcher and center field.
