Cubs sign infielder Tracy to minor league deal
The way Cubs general manager Jim Hendry sees it, there's nothing wrong with having another left-handed hitter in camp to compete for a job and push other players.
That was part of the reasoning behind Wednesday's signing of veteran infielder-outfielder Chad Tracy to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Tracy was with the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2004. He's a career .280 hitter with a .339 on-base percentage to go along with 78 home runs. In 98 games last year, he had a batting/on-base/slugging line of .237/.306/.389 with 8 homers and 39 RBI.
"He's a proven major-league hitter from the left side," Hendry said. "We thought it would help us have some competition from the left side. It also protects us depth wise if somebody got hurt in camp. He's played quite a bit of third. He can play the corners (in the outfield) and first base.
"It's good depth, inventory, with major-league hitting ability. For years, he was a full-time player. He's proven he can hit off the bench, too."
As a pinch hitter in his career, Tracy has hit .302 (26-for-86) with 5 homers and 24 RBI.
He'll compete for a backup infield-outfield spot with Micah Hoffpauir and nonroster men Bryan LaHair and Brad Snyder. Sam Fuld is in the mix as a backup outfielder.
Marshall signs: The Cubs agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall, avoiding salary arbitration. Marshall will get $950,000 this year. He was seeking $1.175 million in arbitration while the Cubs were offering $800,000.
Marshall has started and relieved for the Cubs, and he'll compete in spring training for the fifth-starter's job. He was 3-7 with a 4.32 ERA last year in 55 games, 9 starts. He had most of his success as a reliever, with a 3.23 ERA.
"He's in good shape," Jim Hendry said. "The fifth job is going to be wide open, and he's proven he can start and relieve at a quality level. We just need him to be a little more consistent."
Still unsigned are closer Carlos Marmol and shortstop Ryan Theriot. The Cubs appear confident they can get a deal done with Marmol, who is asking for $2.5 million while the Cubs are offering $1.75 million.
Theriot could be headed to a hearing. He's asking for $3.4 million while the Cubs have countered with an offer of $2.6 million.
Nady update: The best guess on if and when the Cubs make the signing of free-agent outfielder Xavier Nady official is Friday. Nady first must pass a physical exam. If that happens, he will sign a one-year, $3.3 million deal with incentives that could add $2 million to the contract.