CHICAGO — Part of the Cubs’ ongoing roster reorganization involves finding more potential options for the team’s bench. Chicago is bringing utilityman Vidal Bruján into the fold as a candidate for that segment of the squad.
On Sunday, the Cubs and Marlins agreed to a trade that would bring Bruján to the North Siders in exchange for first baseman Matt Mervis and cash considerations.
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In the wake of the trade to acquire star outfielder Kyle Tucker and the deal that shipped Cody Bellinger to the Yankees, the bulk of Chicago’s starting lineup appears set. However, third base remains unsettled — MLB Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect Matt Shaw (No. 22 in the overall Top 100) is currently the top contender — and the bench makeup is not yet in focus.
Bruján, who will turn 27 on Feb. 9, is out of Minor League options, but he offers the Cubs a versatile bench piece to consider. The switch-hitting utility man logged time with the Marlins in ‘24 at shortstop (237 innings), second base (198), third (75), center field (73), right (35) and left (10). He made a brief appearance at first in one game and even took the mound twice.
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In parts of four Major League seasons between stints with the Rays (2021-23) and Marlins (‘24), Bruján has hit .189 with a .531 OPS in 201 games. Last season, he hit .222 with 18 extra-base hits, 16 RBIs and a .622 OPS in 102 games for Miami. Bruján also posted a 19.4% strikeout rate and 9.0% walk rate in ‘24.
Beyond Bruján, the Cubs’ 40-man roster also has bench contenders in infielders Miles Mastrobuoni, Luis Vazquez and Gage Workman (selected in the Rule 5 Draft). Outfielders outside the starting group on the roster include Alexander Canario (out of Minor League options), plus Top 100 prospects Owen Caissie (No. 34) and Kevin Alcántara (No. 67).
The 26-year-old Mervis was a fast riser in the Cubs’ system after being signed as an undrafted free-agent out of Duke following the abbreviated 2020 MLB Draft. He climbed to Triple-A Iowa in ‘21 and slashed .269/.371/.511 with 52 homers and 162 RBIs in 242 games at that level over the past four seasons.
Mervis’ production in the Minor Leagues did not translate to Chicago, where he hit .155 with three homers, 14 RBIs and a .481 OPS in 36 games with the Cubs across the 2023-24 seasons. Last offseason, the North Siders landed Michael Busch from the Dodgers and he has since established himself as the Cubs’ regular first baseman.
