Cubs sign failed Yankees trade acquisition to cheap contract in free agency

During spring training of last year, the New York Yankees appeared to be operating with intent, unlike previous offseasons and trade deadlines when they would either remain inactive or acquire imperfect fits for their roster.

But when Brian Cashman traded for Miami Marlins utilityman Jon Berti, it really felt like the Yankees were on their way to rebuilding a nonexistent aspect of their game.

Though Berti wasn't considered an everyday starter by any means, he was an athletic option who could play above-average defense at multiple positions. His offensive profile was led by hitting for contact. His speed on the basepaths was considered a game-changer. Finally, a versatile option with characteristics the rest of the roster was lacking. The man led MLB with 41 stolen bases in 2022! Now we're talking.

Fast forward to the ALCS, and Berti was considered nothing short of a disaster. Not only did he miss a majority of the regular season with a calf injury that limited him to 25 games, but then he had his one chance to redeem himself filling in at first base for Anthony Rizzo. A couple of defensive miscues and an unacceptable baserunning gaffe essentially sealed his fate.

The Yankees non-tendered him in the offseason rather than opting to pay the projected $3.8 million he was owed. And now Berti will join the Chicago Cubs on a one-year contract, per Robert Murray of FanSided.

Yankees News: Jon Berti signs free agent contract with Chicago Cubs

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand added that the deal is for $2 million with an additional $1.3 million in incentives, bringing him closer to his 2025 arbitration figure.

Berti's issues weren't performance based, however. In his 25 regular season games, he hit .273 with five stolen bases. He essentially did what he was supposed to do in that short sample size. It was the injuries that no longer made him worth the wait. Berti ended up being left off the World Series roster because he suffered an additional hip injury running the bases in the ALCS.

Meanwhile, Ben Rortvedt, who was traded to the Rays in last year's three-team deal with the Marlins, ended up catching fire in Tampa Bay and made the Yankees immediately regret their decision to cut bait with the catcher. Can't blame Cashman for that, but man, how do these deals continue to look worse and worse by the hour?

In classic fashion, Berti, who was a 2.4 WAR player in 2022 and 2023 with the Marlins, was a non-factor almost immediately after arriving in New York. The Yankees rarely get the most out of their trade acquisitions, so fans can't say they're surprised. Hopefully the story turns out to be different for the Cubbies in 2025.