Solely 168 days till the Chicago Cubs are again on the display. However earlier than then, the Cubs have a whole lot of large choices to make in the course of the offseason.
A few of which embody the re-signing or transferring on from free brokers like Ian Happ, Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, and Seiya Suzuki. Except for the Cody Bellinger commerce in 2024, the Cubs’ offseasons have been awfully quiet.
In wake of those upcoming strikes, three former Chicago Cubs made a free company determination of their very own.
Luis Vázquez, Miles Mastrobuoni, and Vidal Bruján all elect free company with their respective groups. Mastrobuoni and Vázquez performed collectively at Wrigley Discipline in 2024, whereas Bruján joined in 2025.
Per Anthony Franco of MLB Commerce Rumors, these three are amongst 5 gamers who performed within the MLB this 12 months and elected minor league free company. That is possible a formality as every participant was outrighted off their groups’ 40-man roster and have performed seven-plus seasons within the minors.
Except for Bruján and Mastrobuoni’s first seasons, this trio of ex-Cubs hit profession lows this season with their groups. Mixed, they solely performed in 23 MLB video games this season.
Luis Vazquez’s Profession
Luis Vázquez was drafted by the Chicago Cubs within the 14th spherical of the 2017 MLB draft. The now, 27-year-old shortstop, made his MLB debut on Could 22, 2024.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t till September 29 when he recorded his first main league knock. Vázquez’s lone season with the Cubs was lower than mediocre, he solely performed in 11 video games and had 12 at-bats. On January 31, 2025 the Cubs traded Vázquez to the Baltimore Orioles in change for money issues.
In 2025, Vázquez spent extra time within the large leagues with the Orioles. He performed in 36 video games, however had a slash line of .160/.208/.240 with eight hits, one house run, and three RBIs.
This previous 12 months, Vázquez spent almost your entire season in Triple-A Norfolk.
“He had a mediocre .226/.271/.371 batting line in 52 video games round a couple of accidents,” Franco wrote on MLB Commerce Rumors.com. “Vázquez received a two-day stint on Baltimore’s large league roster in late August, making a lone look as a pinch-runner and scoring the game-winning run towards the Cardinals.”
Miles Mastrobuoni’s Profession
One other former 14th spherical decide, this time drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016, Miles Mastrobuoni performed for the Chicago Cubs for 2 seasons in 2023 and 2024.
Earlier than becoming a member of the Cubs through a commerce with the Rays in change for pitcher Alfredo Zárraga, Mastrobuoni made his MLB debut on September 22, 2022.
In his brief stint with the Rays to shut out the season, Mastrobuoni tallied three hits in 16 at-bats.
With the Cubs, Mastrobuoni was capable of finding way more success. He was primarily used as a utility man, and in 110 profession video games with Chicago, Mastrobuoni began in 60.
On January 14, Mastrobuoni was traded to the Seattle Mariners for money issues. The 30-year-old has spent the final two seasons with the Mariners group and had the perfect season of his profession with them in 2025. He even made his postseason debut on October 13 in Seattle’s 10-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays within the ALCS.
Mastrobuoni had a rocky 2026. He missed the primary two months with a proper calf pressure, he was waived in June, known as up in July, then despatched by means of waivers once more. In Triple-A Tacoma, Mastrobuoni .245/.338/.375 over 222 journeys to the plate with Triple-A Tacoma.
Vidal Bruján’s Profession
As a 16-year-old, Vidal Bruján signed as worldwide novice free agent with the on October 17, 2014, for a $15,000 bonus. He later went on to make his MLB debut on July 7, 2021 with the Rays.
He remained in Tampa for 3 seasons, earlier than heading south roughly 300 miles to Miami. With the Marlins, Bruján performed in 102 video games and had 248 at-bats. He slashed .222/.303/.319 with two house runs and 16 RBIs.
Bruján was traded to the Chicago Cubs on the finish of 2024 in change for first baseman Matt Mervis and money issues. The Cubs was one in every of his three groups in 2025. He performed in 36 video games for Chicago earlier than getting claimed off waivers by Baltimore, then Atlanta.
“The Mets acquired Bruján from Minnesota in a money commerce over the offseason,” Franco wrote of Bruján. “The out-of-options infielder failed to interrupt camp and cleared waivers on Opening Day. New York known as him up in early Could whereas Francisco Lindor was injured. Bruján spent six weeks on the lively roster however solely began three video games, going 1-11 in 13 plate appearances. The previous prime prospect batted .278/.385/.421 over 258 plate appearances with Triple-A Syracuse.”
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