Cedeno avoids arbitration, signs 2009 deal with Cubs

The Chicago Cubs and infielder Ronny Cedeno have agreed to terms on a 2009 contract and avoided salary arbitration.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Cedeno, who turns 26 on Feb. 2, batted .269 (58-for-216) with 12 doubles, 2 home runs and 28 RBI in 99 games for the Cubs in 2008. He saw action at five different positions in the field, including 43 appearances (31 starts) at second base, 27 appearances (20 starts) at shortstop, seven games at third base and one game apiece in left field and center field.

The right-handed batter and thrower has played all or part of the last four seasons with the Cubs, batting .252 (228-for-904) with 13 home runs and 88 RBI in 329 career major league contests.

Cedeno made his major league debut with Chicago in 2005 at the age of 22. He played in 151 games for the Cubs in 2006 before splitting the 2007 season between Chicago and Triple-A Iowa. He spent the entire 2008 campaign at the big league level.

• Bruce Miles will have more on this deal and all the activities from the Cubs Convention later today.