Winkler signing gives Cubs needed bullpen depth

After acquiring Jharel Cotton in a Nov. 23 trade with the Athletics for cash considerations, the Cubs made another move to add needed bullpen depth on Friday.

Dan Winkler agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $750,000 if he stays on the major-league roster.

A 29-year-old righty, Wheeler was 3-1 with a 4.98 ERA in 27 relief appearances with the Braves last season. Traded to the Giants on July 31, he was designated for assignment the next day.

Winkler finished the 2019 season with Class AAA Sacramento and was 0-1 with a 0.64 ERA in 12 games.

Spending the entire 2018 season with Atlanta, Winkler was 4-0 with a 3.43 ERA and 2 saves in 69 appearances. Over parts of five years with the Braves, the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder was 8-2 with a 3.68 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 100⅓ innings.

A native of downstate Effingham, Winkler was limited to 22 games from 2014-16 after having Tommy John surgery and then fracturing his right elbow after returning from the injury.

Originally selected by the Cubs in the 43rd round of the 2010 draft out of Parkland College in Champaign, Wheeler elected not to sign and was drafted by the Rockies on the 20th round the following year.

Adding Winkler increases the Cubs' 40-man roster to 37.

Scouting around:

The Cubs have a new vice president of scouting, Dan Kantrovitz.

After spending the last five season as assistant general manager for the Athletics, Kantrovitz will head up the amateur draft for the Cubs.

A two-time All-Ivy League shortstop at Brown, Kantrovitz broke into baseball in 2004 with the Cardinals as an assistant scouting director.

Also on Friday, the Cubs hired Jasmine Horan as amateur scouting analyst.

Last season, Horan worked in baseball operations with the Yankees.