David DeJesus has agreed to a two-year contract with the Cubs and is expected to be Chicago’s starting right fielder, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.
Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the deal is worth $10 million and includes a team option for 2014, when DeJesus will be 34 years old.
DeJesus is coming off a career-worst season in Oakland, hitting just .240 with his first sub-.700 OPS, but prior to being traded to the A’s he was consistently a very good on-base threat and plus defensive outfielder during seven seasons for the Royals.
He lacks ideal power for a corner outfielder, but DeJesus has a .354 career on-base percentage, including an OBP above .345 every season from 2004 to 2010, and he’s capable of hitting 10-15 homers. He’s hardly a headline-grabbing pickup, but DeJesus has long been an underrated all-around player who’ll fit atop the Cubs’ lineup and the price is certainly right.
Oakland offered DeJesus arbitration, so the A’s will receive a supplemental first-round pick as compensation.
