Cubs Sign OF Jon Jay To 1-Year Deal

(CBS) The Cubs have signed outfielder Jon Jay to a one-year deal.

Known as a solid defender, the 31-year-old Jay spent the 2016 season with the Padres, hitting .291 with two homers, 26 RBIs, a .728 OPS and a .339 on-base percentage in 90 games. Terms of the deal weren't revealed by the Cubs, but it's worth $8 million, according to reports.

The move may hint at the impending departure of center fielder Dexter Fowler, which wouldn't be surprising. Fowler is expected to command lucrative multi-year offers on the open market, and the Cubs also want to give the young Albert Almora a bigger role in the outfield.

Jay is a career .287 hitter who spent his first six MLB seasons with the Cardinals before being traded to the Padres ahead of the 2016 season. He has a career .996 fielding percentage in center field, the highest mark of any active player at the position.

Chicago's 40-man roster is now at 38 players.