The Cubs signed veteran catcher Robinson Chirinos on Monday to a one-year major league contract, bringing four words to mind: Why the heck not?
They’ve tried everything else in their ongoing effort to equip overworked starter Willson Contreras with a backup. Something has to work sooner or later — and Chirinos is a guy with actual credentials.
It’s also just a nice story. Chirinos signed with the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent in July of 2000 and played 10 minor-league seasons in the organization before being included in the trade with the Rays that sent pitching prospect Chris Archer out and brought veteran starter Matt Garza in. So this is a very belated made-it-to-Wrigley Field moment.
The 37-year-old, who has spent all or parts of nine major league seasons with the Rays, Rangers, Astros and Mets, is a career .231 hitter with 86 homers and 269 RBI in 602 games. He set career highs of 18 homers and 65 RBI with the Rangers in 2018. The following year, with the Astros, he hit 17 homers, posted an impressive 1.8 defensive wins above replacement and played in the World Series.
Chirinos signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees in March but was released July 3. He was batting .278 with three homers in 13 games in Triple-A at the time.
“He’s a nice addition,” said manager David Ross, who was 37 himself when he signed with the Cubs heading into the 2015 season.
“He’s got an infectious personality and got a great reputation within the game. … A catch-and-throw guy, really receives [well], and has got some pop.”
Chirinos is the sixth No. 2 catcher the Cubs have had in 2021 — following Austin Romine, Tony Wolters, P.J. Higgins, Jose Lobaton and Taylor Gushue — and was on the active roster for Monday’s series opener against the Phillies at Wrigley Field. Gushue was designated for assignment.
