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By Jackson Roberts
Contributing Sports Writer
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At first glance, the Chicago Cubs' infield probably doesn't need much in the way of reinforcements anytime soon.
The Cubs signed three-time All-Star Alex Bregman to a five-year contract this season, a move that seemingly rattled the incumbent Boston Red Sox. With Bregman, Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, Matt Shaw, and Michael Busch all on the roster, Chicago appears to have one of the league's most complete infields.
However, no team ever rests on its laurels when it comes to adding depth in the upper levels of the minors, and to that end, the Cubs just picked up a much lesser-known former Red Sox infielder.
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According to the Major League Baseball transactions log, the Cubs signed 24-year-old shortstop Karson Simas to a minor-league contract on Monday. Simas previously elected free agency in November after a 6 1/2-year stint in the Boston Red Sox organization.
Once a 25th-round pick in the 2019 draft out of high school in California, Simas played 334 games in the Red Sox organization. While the primary position listed on his roster page is shortstop, Simas has played every position but pitcher and catcher in the minors, including 30-plus games each at short, third base, second base, and all three outfield spots.
Simas' bat is lagging behind his defensive versatility. He's put up a .602 career minor-league OPS in 1,239 plate appearances, hitting only nine home runs, but stealing 57 bases. If he's going to stick around in the Cubs organization into his late 20s, or any team's farm system for that matter, his offense will need to improve.
Obviously, the Bregman signing meant a lot more to the Cubs than plucking Simas from the Red Sox's system. But it would be a nice developmental win for Chicago if he could improve offensively and progress closer to making his major league debut.
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