P.J. Higgins Elects Free Agency Following Outright Assignment

The Cubs designated P.J. Higgins for assignment to make room on the roster for Tucker Barnhart, then they signed catcher Dom Nunez to a minor league deal. Combined with Higgins’ ability to refuse an outright assignment, the writing was on the wall for the end of his time in the organization. There was a slight chance that he’d choose to stick around in Triple-A, but Jon Heyman reported Monday that Higgins has indeed elected free agency.

Catcher PJ Higgins has elected Free Agency rather than accepting his outright assignment ftom Cubs

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 9, 2023

Higgins has a .210 career average with a .639 OBP over 254 big league PAs, so he didn’t offer much to a Cubs team that still needs to add offense. His main source of value was the ability to play the corner infield spots, but he wouldn’t have gotten time at either unless several things go wrong. Between Matt Mervis, Eric Hosmer, Patrick Wisdom, Christopher Morel, and either Zach McKinstry or Miles Mastrobuoni, the Cubs are hurting at first or third.

Here’s to hoping Higgins finds a great opportunity elsewhere as he looks to continue his big league career.