According to a report and Ryan Sweeney, the Cubs signed OF Ryan Sweeney to a minor league contract on Tuesday. Sweeney is scheduled to report to the Iowa Cubs this weekend. Sweeney was released by the Red Sox on Saturday after re-signing with Boston in the off-season. Sweeney was acquired from the A’s in the Andrew Bailey–Josh Reddick trade in December of 2011.
Ryan Sweeney is from Cedar Rapids and announced on Twitter that he is pumped about getting the opportunity with the Cubs.
Updated 8:22pm CDT – According to Gordon Wittenmyer, the Cubs have confirmed signing Ryan Sweeney to a minor league contract. Sweeney will report to Iowa.
Ryan Sweeney can play all three spots in the outfield. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound lefty hit .260/.303/.373/.675 with 19 doubles and two triples in 63 games for Boston last season. In 2011, the 28-year old put together a .265/.346/.341/.687 line with 11 doubles, three triples and a home run in 108 games.
In seven big league seasons, Sweeney has a career .280/ .338/.378/.715 line with 102 doubles, 12 triples and 14 home runs.
Sweeney said he signed with the Cubs because he feels he will be able to earn his way back to the big leagues with the organization.
Ryan Sweeney’s Page on Baseball Reference