According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Cubs signed INF Munenori Kawasaki to a minor league contract. Kawasaki’s deal with the Cubs should include a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
Kawasaki signed as a free agent with the Mariners in 2012 after playing the first 11 seasons of his pro career in the Japan Pacific League. Kawasaki hit just .192/.257/.202 in 61 games for the Mariners and was released in October of that year.
Munenori Kawasaki signed with the Blue Jays in March of 2013 and has played in Toronto the last three years.
Kawasaki played in 23 games last season and hit .214/.313/.286 with two doubles and a .598 OPS. In three seasons with the Jays, Kawasaki put together a .242/.326/.301 line in 201 games.
Over four seasons in the big leagues, Kawasaki own a .234/.314/.284 line with 16 doubles, six triples and one home run for a .599 OPS.
Munenori Kawasaki is mainly a second baseman but the lefty has experience at shortstop and third base in the majors.
• Munenori Kawasaki’s Page on Baseball-Reference
Updated 10:11am CST – The Tribune confirmed the Cubs signed Munenori Kawasaki and his minor league contract includes a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
2016 Minor League Contracts
The following players have signed minor league contract with the Cubs this off-season. Additional minor league signings should be reported in the coming days.
Pitchers
- Brandon Gomes, RHP
- Stephen Fife, RHP
- Jean Machi, RHP
- Drew Rucinski, RHP
- Luis Parra, LHP
- Scott Barnes, LHP
- Luis Cruz, LHP
- Miguel Mejia, RHP
- Jeffry Antigua, LHP
- Fernando Cruz, RHP
- Jack Leathersich, LHP
Catchers
- Tim Federowicz
Infielders
- Jesus Guzman
- Munenori Kawasaki
- Kris Negron
- Logan Watkins
Outfielders
- Kelly Dugan
- Juan Perez
Drew Rucinski, Luis Parra, Jean Machi, Brandon Gomes, Scott Barnes, Stephen Fife, Jesus Guzman, Tim Federowicz, Kelly Dugan, Kris Negron and Munenori Kawasaki should receive non-roster invites to Spring Training. The full list of players that will be non-roster invitees to big league camp should be released in the next couple of weeks.