Former Miami Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan signs Minor League contract with Chicago Cubs

May 21, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins center fielder Chris Coghlan (8) connects for a triple during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

It has been three full years since former Miami Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan was a relevant, Major League baseball player, but he keeps getting chance after chance to prove otherwise.

#Cubs signed former #Marlins Chris Coghlan to minor lge deal. $800G if make majors, $250G in PA bonuses. Can opt out on 6/15 if not in MLB
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 15, 2014

As first reported by Joel Sherman above, the 28-year-old outfielder has inked a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs that could become an $800,000 MLB deal if he makes the team out of Spring Training. Most people have long forgotten that Coghlan was actually the 2009 NL Rookie of the Year (over Andrew McCutchen!!!), but since he hit .321/.390/.460 over 565 plate appearances that season, the bottom has fallen out.

Coghlan has failed to post even a positive fWAR over the past three seasons (-2.3 fWAR total), and in 2013 with Miami, he posted an OPS below .700 with below-average defense while failing to crack the “regular” lineup for the Marlins. It’s hard to fault Chicago for inking him to a no-risk deal, simply because he’s “done it before”, but it would be a mild surprise for him to even make the team out of Spring, much less contribute in any meaningful way.

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