The signing of veteran infielder Corey Koskie to a minor league deal provides the Cubs with some interesting possibilities as well as some insurance.
Koskie has not played since 2006 as he dealt with post-concussion symptoms. But Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Koskie is "a heck of a player when he's healthy" and that the team came away pleased with the way Koskie had been working out in Florida. The first step back for Koskie is the World Baseball Classic, where he'll play for Team Canada before joining the Cubs to finish spring training. Mostly likely, Koskie will go to Class AAA Iowa, where he'll give the Cubs at least a 30-day look-see.
Koskie, 35, is a left-handed hitter who hit 25 homers for the Twins in 2004. Most important, he can provide the Cubs with a bona fide backup to Aramis Ramirez at third base. At this point, the Cubs are trying out several players at third, including Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles, both of whom will see most of their time at second base this season.
As of now, the final bench spot appears to belong to first baseman/outfielder Micah Hoffpauir, a 29-year-old rookie who has performed well so far in the Cactus League.
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