A little late to this, but within the past week two former Cubs have found new homes and it marks the end of a frustrating, not always their fault, era for both players. David Bote, who signed a five-year extension in 2019 that was worth $15 million, has signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, right-handed hitting slugger Patrick Wisdom is headed to the KBO, where he’s agreed to a deal with the Kia Tigers.
Both of these guys had their moments and for Bote it was very easy to root for him. You’re talking about a guy who was drafted in the 18th round in 2012 and stuck with it after seven seasons playing minor league baseball before he got a shot in the majors. Bote made his MLB debut during the 2018 season, first coming up to fill in for Ben Zobrist and then started at third base for an injured Kris Bryant.
Of course, we all remember Bote’s ultimate grand slam against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 12, 2018, on Sunday Night Baseball.
Thank you for everything, David Bote ???????? pic.twitter.com/bsQnbrvHnX
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) August 23, 2024
After signing his extension, Bote had a solid 2019 season, posting a 105 wRC+ while being worth 1.7 fWAR in 127 games. Yet, beginning in 2020, things kinda went sideways for the infielder. Bote hit 7 home runs in the shortened season, but he only had a .711 OPS and was a below average hitter. The following year got worse, as Bote suffered a shoulder injury in May and an ankle injury in August. He only played in 97 games and it was by far his worst year in the majors with a -0.3 fWAR and 66 wRC+. Injuries stink.
Bote was still recovering from his shoulder injury in 2022, beginning the year on the 60-day injured list after undergoing surgery. He returned in June, but was sent down to Triple-A in early August. Bote had huge strikeout numbers in his comeback from shoulder surgery, but actually finished the year strong with a 122 wRC+ in his last 66 plate appearances after being called up in September.
After being a utility man with the Cubs for five seasons Bote was abruptly moved off the 40-man roster following the 2022 season and then spent the entire 2023 season playing at Triple-A. The Cubs did not give Bote another MLB opportunity until June 2024, and in 37 games this past season he was more than serviceable, slashing .304/.333/.391, in 48 plate appearances.
Always a pro, moved all over the diamond and even when he was demoted back to the minor leagues following several seasons in the big leagues Bote remained a stand-up dude who was a great mentor for prospects coming up to Triple-A.
Some bad luck with injuries and maybe some unfair expectations for Bote, but you certainly wish him well in the future.
Wisdom had the tough task of being the next third baseman after Kris Bryant and while it didn’t mean much to the overall success of the team he at least gave fans something to cheer for during his few years as an every-day player. Believe it or not, Wisdom’s 84 home runs from 2021-24, ranked second among all Cubs hitters, trailing only Ian Happ.
Yeah, Wisdom’s presence was becoming more of an annoyance by the end of the 2024 season, so it wasn’t much of a surprise and actually a welcomed sight when he was non-tendered back in November. That being said, it’s maybe easy to forget that when used in advantageous situations, Wisdom did give the Cubs meaningful production when the team was going from a rebuilding club to playoff hopeful.
Patrick Wisdom since coming back from a wrist sprain July 4, 2023-present:
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) May 13, 2024
128 PA
.250/.336/.598
11 HR, 28.9K%, 10.9 BB%
150 wRC+
pic.twitter.com/iG0LId0YQw
Wisdom gradually became more of a negative for the Cubs in 2024, ending the season with a -0.2 fWAR after posting a 75 wRC+ in 174 plate appearances. From 2021-23, Wisdom combined to hit 76 home runs with a 111 wRC+. You knew what you were getting from Wisdom, lots of power, lots of strikeouts and that probably won’t change for the slugger in 2025, when he plays in Korea.
