The Chicago Cubs continue to add to their spring training roster. After agreeing to terms with Greg Allen on Friday, the team is also adding another outfielder in Travis Jankowski.
If the 33-year-old can hit the ground running in camp, the Cubs could have the perfect veteran on the bench. The experience alone makes it a worthwhile investment to bring into camp.
Jankowski has well-traveled since making his debut in 2015. His most recent stop with the Texas Rangers made him a World Series champion in 2023. The Cubs were also on the receiving end of his heroics on Opening Day a season ago.
After designating Alexander Canario for assignment, the Cubs find themselves in a unique position to add some veteran depth to their outfield. Kevin Alcantara is currently the only player on the 40-man roster, but he may lack the veteran experience the team is seeking as they head into the regular season.
Whether Greg Allen or Travis Jankowski will fill that role remains to be seen. Both players could provide a veteran presence alongside the emerging Pete Crow-Armstrong. However, it's also possible they won’t be in the organization by the end of spring training.
After hitting a .200 batting average in 2024, it's understandable why Jankowski may have had to settle for a minor-league deal. If he can boost his offensive performance during camp, the Cubs might have unearthed another hidden gem.
It's hard to criticize these types of moves. Teams often bring in players from various backgrounds, hoping to extract another ounce of production from someone the rest of the league may be overlooking.
