Cubs sign Baker, invite Snyder to ST

The Cubs made it official today, saying they’ll tender contracts to all of their players. MLB puts out the official-official word, but we reported yesterday this would happen. The Cubs avoided salary arbitration with one player, signing infielder Jeff Baker to one-year deal worth $1.175 million. That’s a raise from the $975,000 Baker made last year. The Cubs also re-signed outfielder Brad Snyder to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training as nonroster player. Snyder had a cup of coffee with the big club in September. The other arb-eligible players tendered contracts, with last year’s money figures in parentheses were reliever Carlos Marmol ($2.125 million), reliever Sean Marshall ($950,000), pitcher Tom Gorzelanny ($800,000) and catchers Koyie Hill ($700,000) and Geovany Soto ($575,000). Baker figures to see plenty of time against left-handed pitching at second base, third base and first base. Manager Mike Quade also can spot him in the outfield if he sees fit. Overall, Baker had a line of .272/.326/.413 with 4 homers and 21 RBI. Here are the left-right splits: Vs. LHP: .350/.395/.550 with all 4 of his homers Vs. RHP: .106/.181/.121 Baker also fared better at home, going .315/.384/.517 at Wrigley, compared with .239/.280/.333 on the road. The free-agent market will fully establish itself by later today when all of the players not tendered contracts are announced. I expect the Cubs to be busy over the next 10 days, which encompasses the always-fun winter meetings.