Cubs add depth with Scott Kingery signing |
The Chicago Cubs brought in utility infielder Scott Kingery on Tuesday with a minor league contract that gets him a spring training invite. Baseball fans who follow offseason transactions often do so through various platforms where they can compare odds and markets. Americans wagered over $130 billion on sports in 2024 alone, with New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Illinois, and Pennsylvania posting the highest handles.
The best online sportsbooks currently list the Cubs at 22-1 odds to win the 2026 World Series and 10-1 to capture the NL pennant. These platforms adjust their lines throughout the winter as teams sign free agents and complete trades, and bettors who track roster moves can find favorable numbers before the market reacts. Each transaction shifts projections, and depth additions such as Kingery factor into how oddsmakers view team strength heading into spring training. Kingery is 31 now and spent last season between the Angels and Triple-A Salt Lake. He appeared in 19 games at the major league level and hit .148 in that brief stretch. His Triple-A numbers came out to .228 over 59 games, and neither stat suggests he's ready to reclaim his 2019 form. Philadelphia gave him extensive opportunities from 2018 through 2022, and that 2019 campaign remains his best professional work. He slashed .258/.315/.473 that year with 19 home runs and 55 RBIs across multiple defensive positions. The performance generated 2.7 WAR and briefly made his six-year, $24 million pre-debut contract look reasonable. Chicago sees Kingery as organizational insurance. The starting infield has Busch at first, Hoerner at second, Swanson at short, and Shaw at third. Kingery can cover second, short, third, and both corner outfield spots when roster needs arise. He'll spend most of his time with Triple-A Iowa but remains ready if injuries force the Cubs to call on their depth chart. His 344 games of major league experience across six seasons mean he won't look lost if circumstances require his presence at Wrigley Field. His career .227 batting average won't scare opposing pitchers. Counsell has shown he can deploy bench pieces in specific matchups where their strengths fit the situation. Kingery played five different positions during his limited Angels stint last year, and one of those appearances came on the mound. That versatility matters more for a depth piece than offensive production. Teams need bodies who can fill multiple holes when the schedule gets heavy, and regulars need rest. This signing follows Chicago's usual pattern of collecting depth options before the front office makes bigger moves later in the winter. The Cubs still have time to address rotation needs and bullpen questions through trades or free agency. Winter Meetings arrive next week, when executives gather, and most of the serious deal-making happens. Kingery's addition costs nothing in payroll commitment or roster flexibility, so the Cubs can make this type of move without any risk. If he earns a big league job through spring performance, Chicago gains a useful bench piece. If he doesn't make the roster, he provides experienced depth in Iowa that can respond when called upon during the six-month grind.
