Cubs re-signed RHP Zach Putnam to a minor league contract.
A fifth-round pick in 2008, Putnam was non-tendered by the Cubs after being claimed off waivers in early November. The 25-year-old appeared in just two games with the Rockies in 2012, but posted a 4.15 ERA with 49 strikeouts over 60 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level. He should compete for a bullpen spot in spring training.
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Cubs signed LHP Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract.
Willis announced his retirement from baseball in July after posting an 8.53 ERA and 2.21 WHIP in four games for the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate. The D-Train hasn’t been major league relevant since the 2007 season, but is still only 30 years old. It’s a low-risk signing for the Cubs, and if he can regain his control, he could develop into a decent lefty out of the bullpen.
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Cubs signed RHP Edwin Jackson to a four-year, $52 million contract.
The two sides reached an agreement two weeks ago, but an official announcement was delayed until after the holidays. Jackson had to settle for a one-year, $11 million deal with the Nationals last offseason, but he has finally found his big payday. The 29-year-old right-hander owns a solid 3.98 ERA over the past four seasons and should continue to be useful as a mid-rotation starter in Chicago.
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Matt Garza, who recently received clearance to begin throwing, guaranteed that he’ll be ready to go by Opening Day.
He’s currently rehabilitating from a stress reaction in his right elbow that forced him to miss the final 11 weeks of the 2012 campaign. He’s reported no issues with the elbow since he’s resumed throwing, and should be expected to take the ball on Opening Day.
Source: csnchicago.com
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Cubs signed INF/OF Brad Nelson to a minor league contract.
Nelson mashed the ball at Triple-A Round Rock in 2012 to the tune of .279/.364/.488 with 24 homers and 81 RBI. He has the ability to play first base and either corner outfield position, and will serve as organizational depth depth for the Cubs.
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Cubs sent LHP Gerardo Concepcion outright to Low-A Kane County.
He’s now off the 40-man roster. A Cuban defector, Concepcion was a disaster in his first year in the states, putting up a 7.39 ERA over 12 Low-A starts.
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Cubs signed OF Nate Schierholtz to a one-year, $2.25 million contract.
The deal was announced over two weeks ago and has finally become official. He can also earn $500,000 more in incentives. Schierholtz has posted an uninspiring .270/.319/.409 batting line over six seasons but is expected to start in right field, with David DeJesus handling center until Brett Jackson is deemed ready.
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Cubs signed RHP Carlos Villanueva to a two-year, $10 million contract.
Villanueva has registered a decent 4.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 7.4 K/9 over his last 232 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old can operate as either a starter or reliever, and may play a swing-type role in 2012 for the Northsiders.
Source: twitter.com
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CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports that the Cubs have agreed to a deal with Carlos Villanueva.
Terms of the deal are not yet known, but, assuming it’s not too out of line, it’s another sneaky addition to the rotation by the Cubs. Villanueva was shifted back and forth from starter to reliever the last two seasons by the Blue Jays, but he pitched really well out of the rotation in 2012 before a couple late-season blowups inflated his ERA. All told, he put up a 4.16 ERA and 112/46 K/BB ratio over 125 1/3 innings this past season.
Source: twitter.com
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