UPDATE (1:47 p.m. ET): Shane Victorino officially signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on Friday and reported to their spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz.
“I’m just ready for an opportunity and hope to be part of something special,” Victorino said, according to the Cubs’ official website. “I’ve been blessed in my career to be part of a couple special championships in special cities. I tell myself, being a fan of the game, when there’s a 100-plus-year drought in championships, you always want to be the first. That’s the goal.”
ORIGINAL STORY: Theo Epstein is dipping into the pool of Boston Red Sox alumni again.
Free agent Shane Victorino and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a minor league contract Friday, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported, citing a source. The deal is for $1 million if Victorino makes the major league roster and includes $1 million in performance incentives, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reported.
Victorino might have a tough time making the major league roster, though, as the Cubs have an extremely deep outfield. Chicago re-signed Dexter Fowler to join Jason Heyward and Kyle Schwarber in its starting corps, and they’re backed up by Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist, all of whom have major value to the team.
Victorino, 35, is a two-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner who owns World Series titles with the Philadelphia Phillies (2008) and the Red Sox (2013). Victorino batted .230 with one home run and seven RBIs over 71 games between the Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels in 2015.
The Cubs also have former Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester and John Lackey, as well as catcher David Ross, on their 40-man roster under Epstein, who was Boston’s general manager from 2003 to 2011.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
