On Thursday, former Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown found a new home in the Blue Jays organization. Today, another former Phillies outfielder has agreed to a minor league deal with the Cubs. The 35-year-old veteran spent last season split between the Angels and the Red Sox.
Shane Victorino signed Minor League deal with #Cubs w/invite to big league camp. Also, Jon Lieber will be guest instructor
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 26, 2016
Victorino gets $1M plus $1M incentives if in majors #cubs
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 26, 2016
The Cubs signed Dexter Fowler yesterday, who had been reported to have been close to a deal with the Orioles, but they had a deal in place with Victorino already, so they honored it, tweets Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
The Phillies parted ways with Victorino back in 2012, sending him to the Dodgers for right handers Ethan Martin and Josh Lindblom. After finishing the season with LA, Victorino signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Red Sox in the offseason. He had a successful 2013 in Boston, hitting .294 with 26 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs, 61 RBI's, 21 steals and 82 runs scored in 122 games. Following the 2013 season, injuries hampered Victorino's effectiveness, as he was limited to just 30 games in 2014 and 71 games in 2015 between the Red Sox and Angels.
Victorino joins a Cubs team with high expectations in 2016 and an outfield that already includes the likes of Jason Heyward, Dexter Fowler and Jorge Soler. Shane will have an opportunity to make the team out of Spring Training and would likely be a versatile bench asset for the Cubs, with the ability to play all three outfield positions well.
Phillies fans will always remember Victorino for his dramatic grand slam in Game 2 of the 2008 NLDS against Brewers ace, CC Sabathia.
Brandon Apter is a contributor to Philliedelphia.com
