The Cubs announced Friday they have declined the $3 million option for 2009 on backup catcher Henry Blanco's contract.

However, that doesn't mean Blanco's days as a Cub are done. General manager Jim Hendry has expressed interest in bringing back the 37-year-old catcher for less money. Blanco, whose 2007 season was cut short by a potentially career-threatening neck injury, bounced back this year to bat .292, 65 points higher than his career average. In 58 games, he had 3 homers and drove in 12.

The Cubs signed Blanco before the 2005 season, and they give him credit for helping rookie catcher Geovany Soto develop into a Rookie of the Year candidate.

"He's been my mentor since Day 1," Soto said during the final weekend of the regular season. "He's always been helping me. When I was in the minor leagues and he was up here, I called him, 'What do you think about this situation?' To be honest with you, I wouldn't be doing the stuff I'm doing without him. He's like my backbone. I always ask him just to get a thought from a 10-year vet that's been here."