By ALAN GALANIZ The Chicago Cubs have signed free agent Gary Sanchez to a one-year deal, reports ESPN’s Adam Rubin.
Sanchez, 29, is a former first-round pick of the New York Yankees who spent last season with the Oakland Athletics.
He has hit .275 with 12 homers and 47 RBIs in 159 games for the A’s.
The Yankees, who have recently signed a number of young, exciting outfielders, could be the team to land Sanchez.
Santana is the most highly rated of Sanchez’s two potential suitors, according to Rubin.
The Marlins, who are trying to rebuild and are willing to take a chance on Sanchez if he doesn’t agree to a deal, also have interest in Sanchez.
The Cubs, who won the National League Central in 2016, are one of the few teams in baseball that haven’t made a big splash in free agency in years.
They’ve made some moves, including signing outfielder Javier Baez and hitting coach John Lackey.
But the team’s core of Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, and Kris Bryant Jr. are still a long way from being competitive.