The Cubs made some minor moves Wednesday, inking four players to deals just before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Chicago signed outfielder Brian Bogusevic, infielder Alberto Gonzalez, outfielder Johermyn Chavez and catcher J.C. Boscan to minor league contracts.
Bogusevic, 28, was born in Oak Lawn and attended high school at the De La Salle Institute in Chicago. The Astros took him 24th overall in the 2005 draft. He began his career as a left-handed pitcher, but hasn't thrown an inning since 2008 after he racked up a 5.05 ERA in 77 minor-league outings (64 starts).
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Bogusevic has primarily played outfield since '08, making his way through the Astros' minor league system. He's bounced between Triple-A and the big leagues over the past three seasons.
In 618 plate appearances in with the Astros since 2010, Bogusevic has put up a .227.310.346 batting line with 11 homers, 24 doubles and 66 runs. He can play all three outfield positions and has some speed, with 94 career stolen bases between the majors and minors.
Gonzalez is a 29-year-old journeyman from Venezuela, appearing with the Yankees, Nationals, Padres and Rangers over the past five seasons after starting his career with the Diamondbacks. He has played all four infield positions in the majors over the past couple of seasons, notching more than 130 games at both second base and shortstop. He's never shown much with the bat, boasting a .242.279.317 line in the MLB to go along with a .714 career minor league OPS.
Boscan has garnered 20 plate appearances with the Braves over the past three seasons, but has spent the majority of his time catching in the minors. The 32-year-old Venezuelan began his career with the Braves before making stops in Milwaukee and Cincinnati and returning to Atlanta. He has caught more than 1,000 games in his career, but boasts just a .614 minor league OPS.
Chavez is also from Venezuela, but the 23-year-old outfielder has yet to rise above Double-A. He's shown patience and some pop with the bat, sporting a .263.341.442 line in the minors. Chavez, who hit 32 homers in High-A ball in 2010, has seen time primarily as a corner outfielder, but has played a bit of center, too.