As the Cubs gear up for spring training in Mesa, the front office’s work is far from done. Jed Hoyer and company have already made some key moves this offseason, but there’s still room to fine-tune the roster – especially when it comes to depth. The big names might grab the headlines, but this time of year is often where smart organizations find hidden value in overlooked veterans.
Sure, adding a top-tier arm like Zac Gallen would be a game-changer. But even if that doesn’t materialize, there are still smaller, strategic moves that could pay dividends down the line.
With spring training just around the corner, a wave of veterans who were holding out for major league deals may soon be open to minor league contracts. For a team like the Cubs – one with postseason aspirations and a few question marks – this is prime opportunity territory.
Here are three players who could make sense for Chicago on minor league deals, offering low-risk upside and potential roster impact once the season gets underway.
Adam Frazier – A Versatile Veteran with a Lefty Bat
Adam Frazier might not be the flashiest name left on the market, but he checks a lot of boxes for a team looking to add flexibility and experience. The 10-year veteran brings a steady glove, positional versatility, and a left-handed bat – all things the Cubs could use more of.
With ongoing uncertainty around the futures of Nico Hoerner and Matt Shaw, adding another big-league-caliber infielder makes a lot of sense. Frazier has logged time all over the infield and can even step into the outfield if needed, making him a valuable Swiss Army knife off the bench. He’s not the power threat some teams covet, but his contact-oriented approach and ability to grind out at-bats could be a nice complement to the Cubs’ current mix.
At 34, Frazier may find himself squeezed out of a major league deal, especially with younger utility options still floating around. But if he’s available on a minor league pact, the Cubs would be wise to pounce. He could be exactly the kind of plug-and-play depth piece that proves vital over a 162-game grind.
Dillon Tate – A Bullpen Wild Card Worth a Look
Dillon Tate’s career hasn’t quite followed the arc many expected when he was a top prospect, but there’s still intrigue here – especially for a team looking to shore up its bullpen depth. After missing the entire 2023 season due to a right elbow injury, Tate returned to action in 2024, though the results were mixed.
He only logged 6 1/3 innings at the big league level with the Blue Jays, but his work in Triple-A was a different story. Across 39 1/3 innings, Tate posted a 2.06 ERA, showing flashes of the form that made him a trusted arm in Baltimore’s bullpen back in 2022 – a season in which he threw over 70 innings with a 3.05 ERA.
The Cubs’ bullpen isn’t a finished product, and spring training always brings a few surprises when it comes to reliever battles. Tate could be a dark horse candidate to win a spot – or at the very least, provide quality depth at Triple-A Iowa. There’s no such thing as too many arms, and if Tate can stay healthy, he could give Chicago a solid middle-inning option.
Erick Fedde – A Durable Righty With Something to Prove
Erick Fedde’s recent journey through Major League Baseball has been a rollercoaster. After reinventing himself in the KBO, he returned stateside in 2024 with a solid showing, displaying the ability to manipulate contact and eat innings. But the wheels came off in 2025, as his effectiveness dipped and he bounced from the Cardinals to the Braves, then to the Brewers.
Still, there’s value in what Fedde brings to the table. He’s durable, experienced, and capable of giving a team quality innings – even if the ceiling isn’t particularly high at this point.
The Cubs reportedly had some interest when St. Louis DFA’d him last season, potentially eyeing him as a depth stash for Iowa.
That opportunity didn’t materialize then, but it might now.
With the rotation mostly set but not without questions – especially in the back end – Fedde could be a worthwhile insurance policy. He’s not going to light up the radar gun or dominate lineups, but he can keep a game under control and save a bullpen when needed. That kind of stability has value, especially over the course of a long season.
Final Thoughts
The Cubs have made some solid strides this offseason, but there’s still room to get better around the margins – and that’s often where smart front offices separate themselves. Frazier, Tate, and Fedde aren’t headline-grabbers, but each offers something the Cubs could use: versatility, bullpen depth, and innings-eating durability.
As spring training kicks off and the roster begins to take shape, don’t be surprised if one or more of these names shows up in camp. Sometimes, the most impactful moves are the ones that fly under the radar.
