Cubs agree to 1-year contract with Jon Jay

The Chicago Cubs announced Tuesday they've agreed to terms with outfielder Jon Jay on a one-year contract. The deal is worth $8 million, according to multiple reports.

Jay, who hits from the left side, could form a platoon with rookie center fielder Albert Almora Jr. in 2017.

While Almora Jr. is a highly touted prospect and didn't look out of place during his 117 plate appearances in 2016, it's possible the Cubs would prefer to ease him into everyday action through a platoon.

Jay spent last season with the San Diego Padres, but is familiar with the NL Central and Wrigley Field, having played the previous six years with the St. Louis Cardinals. The 31-year-old put together solid numbers at the top of San Diego's lineup last year, hitting .291/.339/.389 with 26 doubles and two stolen bases over just 90 games. Jay suffered a broken forearm in June and the injury sent him to the disabled list for well over eight weeks.

Across 847 career games, Jay owns a .287/.352/.384 slash line with 31 home runs, 139 doubles, and 45 stolen bases. He owns a .764 OPS against right-handed pitching compared to a .707 OPS against southpaws.

Signing Jay likely signals the end of Dexter Fowler's time with the Cubs.

Fowler returned to the free-agent market after signing a one-year deal during spring training last year; it's now expected he'll get a multi-year contract, and the Cubs' surplus of outfielders likely rendered him redundant on the North Side.

Besides Jay and Almora Jr., the crowded Cubs outfield also includes Jason Heyward, Jorge Soler, and Kyle Schwarber. Though not outfielders by trade, it's likely that Ben Zobrist, Kris Bryant, and Willson Contreras could see some time in the outfield in 2017 after they each played over 20 games at the position last year.