The Chicago Cubs have started addressing one of their offseason priorities-bolstering the bench-but their first move is one that feels more like a flyer than a fix. The team has signed Scott Kingery to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training, hoping to tap into some long-lost upside from a once-promising prospect.
Kingery, a former second-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies, looked like a rising star back in 2019. That season, he flashed a tantalizing mix of power and speed-19 home runs and 15 stolen bases-while showcasing the kind of positional flexibility that teams covet in today’s game.
But that version of Kingery hasn’t been seen since. His production cratered in the seasons that followed, and he hasn’t posted a wRC+ above 50 since that 2019 campaign.
To put that into perspective, league average is 100-so he’s been well below replacement-level at the plate for years.
After not appearing in the majors in 2023, Kingery resurfaced briefly with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024, logging 19 games and putting up a slash line of .148/.207/.185. That’s not a typo.
His wRC+ was 9. Not 90-nine.
It was a rough showing, and certainly not one that screams big-league resurgence.
So why bring him in? For the Cubs, this move is about depth-plain and simple.
The organization lost several Triple-A position players to free agency this offseason, and Kingery, even with his struggles, brings experience and versatility. He’s played all over the diamond in his career, and that kind of utility can be valuable in a pinch.
But let’s be clear: barring a spring training performance that turns heads across the league, Kingery isn’t expected to break camp with the big-league club.
This isn’t the first time the Cubs have taken a chance on a once-hyped name that didn’t quite pan out. In recent seasons, the bench has been a revolving door of underwhelming veterans and short-term experiments.
Eric Hosmer’s brief stint felt more ceremonial than competitive. Trey Mancini never found his swing in Chicago.
Jon Berti ended up pitching mop-up duty more than anyone expected. Even Justin Turner, brought in with hopes of adding leadership and pop, didn’t exactly move the needle.
And while the Cubs did swing a midseason trade for Willi Castro, that move fizzled too.
So while Kingery’s signing doesn’t move the offseason needle, it does underscore a larger point: the Cubs still need a reliable, veteran utility man. Someone who can step in and contribute right away-not just fill out the spring roster.
If the team makes a bigger move at third base-say, landing someone like Alex Bregman-that could allow a younger player like Matt Shaw to slide into a utility role. That’s the kind of depth upgrade that would make a real impact.
For now, Kingery is a depth piece with a familiar story: a once-promising player trying to catch lightning in a bottle. The Cubs are hoping for a spark, but they still need to find the fire.