JONATHAN VILLAR NEWS

Will provide depth at short With Ildemaro Vargas getting reassigned to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Villar should begin the season as the primary backup to Nico Hoerner at shortstop while Andrelton Simmons (shoul...

Impact Simmons is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, so Hoerner figures to be the primary shortstop for now with Villar in a super-utility role. Villar is probably better suited to play second or third base, and his versatility is a nice asset for the Cubs. If the 30-year-old plays enough this season, he could be a solid fantasy contributor who offers a little bit of power and speed while qualifying at several positions. Villar could top the 14 steals he logged last season with the Mets now that he's playing for the rebuilding Cubs.

APRIL 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Chicago Cubs, LHP Drew Smyly agree to 1-year contract

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a one-year contract with Drew Smyly, adding another experienced pitcher to their staff

MARCH 19, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP sources: Cubs add Villar, Givens in flurry of moves

The Chicago Cubs stayed busy, agreeing to contracts with infielder Jonathan Villar and pitchers Mychal Givens, Daniel Norris and Robert Gsellman

MARCH 17, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Agrees to deal with Cubs Villar signed with the Cubs on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Villar is a versatile player who can fill in anywhere around the infield and has also made a handful of appearances in the outfield. Third base could be where he fits in best at Wrigley Field, pushing Patrick Wisdom to designated hitter, as the Cubs have new signing Andrelton Simmons at shortstop and the combination of Nick Madrigal and Nico Hoerner at second base. Villar's bat is decent, as he's coming off a year in which he hit .249/.322/.416 (105 wRC+), but his primary fantasy appeal is his speed. He may not be what he once was in that area, however, as he stole a modest 14 bases last season and is now in his age-31 season.

MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mets agree to deal with All-Star 3B Eduardo Escobar

The New York Mets and All-Star infielder Eduardo Escobar have agreed to a free agent contract, according to a person familiar with the deal

NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Correa, Freeman, Scherzer among baseball's top free agents

With a possible lockout on the horizon, it’s been mostly business as usual on the free agent market — so far

NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes seat Friday Villar isn't starting Friday against Atlanta, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Impact Villar will get a breather after he went 4-for-13 with two doubles, three runs, two RBI and a stolen base across the last four games. Jose Peraza will start at the hot corner and bat eighth.

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fills up box score in doubleheader Villar started both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader sweep of the Marlins, going a collective 3-for-6 with a double, a stolen base, a run and an RBI.

Impact New York likely envisioned Villar filling a utility role when he signed a one-year deal this winter, and even though the offense is at close to full strength as the season winds down, the 30-year-old has performed well enough to maintain an everyday spot in the lineup. Dating back to Aug. 28, Villar has started in all but three of the Mets' games while posting a .744 OPS and chipping in three home runs and four stolen bases.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hernandez expected to start for the Marlins against Mets

The Mets will send Taijuan Walker to the mound Wednesday and the Marlins plan to give Elieser Hernandez the start

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Syndergaard sharp in brief return, Mets take 2 from Marlins

Noah Syndergaard looked sharp in his brief but long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery, and the New York Mets beat the Miami Marlins 2-1 in nine innings for a doubleheader swee...

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not starting Tuesday Villar will sit Tuesday against the Red Sox, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Impact Villar finds himself on the bench for the second game in a row. He owns a .387 OPS over his last 13 games. J.D. Davis remains the starter at the hot corner.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Sunday's lineup Villar is not in the lineup Sunday against the Phillies, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Impact Villar started the past eight games and will receive a day off after hitting .171 with a 31.6 percent strikeout rate during that stretch. J.D. Davis will start at the hot corner in his place Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sánchez error leads to 7-run inning, Indians drop Yanks 11-3

Gary Sánchez failed to catch a foul popup that led to a seven-run fifth inning capped by Andrés Giménez's three-run homer, and the Cleveland Indians routed the Yankees 11-3  to dro...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wheeler, Phillies hold off Mets 4-3 to boost playoff hopes

Zack Wheeler limited the damage in a short but effective outing against his old team, Brad Miller hit a tiebreaking homer and the Philadelphia Phillies held off the New York Mets 4...

SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Megill's 10 Ks lead Mets over reeling, bumbling Yanks 10-3

Rookie Tylor Megill struck out a career-high 10 in a career-long seven innings and the New York Mets took advantage of a string of mental and physical mistakes by the reeling Yanke...

SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting in series finale Villar isn't starting Thursday's game against Miami, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Impact Villar will get a day off after he went 1-for-11 with a run, an RBI, a stolen base and three walks across the last three games. J.D. Davis will start at the hot corner and bat fourth.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cabrera expected to start for Miami against New York

The Marlins will send Edward Cabrera to the mound Tuesday and the Mets plan to give Carlos Carrasco the start

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goes deep Sunday Villar went 2-for-6 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run scored in Sunday's 13-6 win over Washington.

Impact The 30-year-old hit a leadoff double in the first inning and scored on a Michael Conforto single. Villar added a solo shot in the second inning before going quiet for the rest of the contest. The infielder has racked up five multi-hit efforts in his last eight games, going 16-for-35 (.457) in that span. He's posted a .268/.340/.469 slash line with 18 long balls, 39 RBI, 55 runs scored and 11 stolen bases in 18 attempts across 411 plate appearances. Despite a crowded Mets infield, Villar has forced his way into the lineup consistently, primarily at third base but also sometimes at second base and shortstop to spell Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Báez 4 for 4, Pillar slam, Mets hit 4 HRs to beat Nats 13-6

Javier Báez went 4 for 4 with a home run, Kevin Pillar hit a grand slam that capped a game-sealing, six-run ninth inning, and the New York Mets withstood another rally from the Was...

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Productive in twin bill Villar went 3-for-7 with two walks, three runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base across both games of Saturday's doubleheader split with the Nationals.

Impact The veteran utility player hit leadoff in both contests, starting at third base in the matinee and shortstop in the nightcap, and he set the table effectively in both games. Villar has multi-hit performances in five of his last 10 games, batting .486 (17-for-35) over that stretch to push his slash line on the season to .267/.340/.460 with 17 homers, 11 steals, 38 RBI and 53 runs through 405 plate appearances.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Four hits in win Villar went 4-for-6 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 6-2 extra-inning win over the Nationals.

Impact Getting the start at third base and hitting leadoff, the veteran utility player set a new single-game season high in hits while putting together his fifth multi-hit performance in his last nine starts. Villar is slashing a dazzling .459/.500/.757 over that stretch, a pace that should keep him near the top of the batting order as long as he remains locked in.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mets to take on Nationals on the road

The Mets will start Tylor Megill on Saturday while the Nationals have yet to decide who will take the mound

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mets beat Nats in 10 innings for fifth straight win

Kevin Pillar drove in two with a 10th-inning double and the New York Mets recovered after blowing a late lead to beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 for their fifth straight win

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nolin expected to start for the Nationals against the Mets

The Nationals will roll out Sean Nolin to the mound Friday and the Mets will give Rich Hill the start

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goes yard for 17th time Villar went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Thursday in a 4-3 win over the Marlins.

Impact Villar took Sandy Alcantara deep to lead off the bottom of the first inning, cutting the Marlins' early lead to 2-1. It was the 17th homer of the year for Villar, who has come alive in recent weeks by hitting .340 with a .982 OPS in his last 15 games.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE