Sources: Jonathan Villar, Cubs in agreement on contract

The Chicago Cubs continue to make waves in free agency, signing a veteran shortstop to bolster the infield. 

Remember when the Chicago Cubs were having a fire sale during the MLB trade deadline and fans were preparing for years of rebuilding? Also remember when the front office insisted that the rebuild would be soft, at best, and that winning was still a priority?

Turns out that wasn’t just smoke being blown.

Free-agent infielder Jonathan Villar and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a contract, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Chicago Cubs sign Jonathan Villar

At one point, Villar was in active talks with the Toronto Blue Jays. Talks fizzled and the Blue Jays later acquired Matt Chapman in a blockbuster trade with the Oakland A’s. Now, Villar is headed to Chicago, where he improves their infield depth – he can play second and third bases, as well as shortstop – and provide some pop in the lineup, as he has hit 24 and 18 home runs in his last two full seasons.

But what does this mean for another splashy move Cubs fans were hoping would happen on the North Side?

After signing Andrelton Simmons last week, adding Villar would seem to indicate that the Cubs are out on star free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa. They were never viewed as a likely destination anyways – one source described their interest as “overblown” – and Villar further cements that notion.

The Cubs have been busy in recent days, agreeing to sign Japanese star free-agent outfielder Seiya Suzuki and pitcher Steven Brault, sources said, and now add Villar to their infield picture.

Whether or not it works is yet to be seen, but there certainly doesn’t seem to be any rebuilding happening in Wrigleyville outside of parking garages and restaurants.