Cubs Sign RHP James Bourque to Minors Deal with MLB Camp Invite

As we continue to soldier though winter, the Cubs made yet another low-key addition in righty James Buchanan Bourque. The 27-year-old reliever was drafted by the Nationals out of the University of Michigan in 2014 and had been in their organization throughout his entire career. After a slow start that saw him miss the 2015 season due to Tommy John surgery, Bourque started posting big strikeout numbers on the strength of his fastball/curve combo.

Source: RHP James Bourque, the @umichbaseball alum, has signed a minor league deal with the #Cubs that includes an invitation to @MLB camp. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 18, 2020

He’s a stout specimen at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds and he’s got excellent swing-and-miss stuff, but he’s had a very difficult time finding the zone at times. The high walk numbers at the upper levels of the minors are pretty alarming, as are the seven free passes he’s handed out in just 4.2 MLB innings. If the Cubs can figure something out, though, he could be a dude.

This is another one of those high-upside deals that could turn into a really good bargain, but that shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than that.