The Chicago Cubs have signed 31-year old righty starting pitcher Scott Baker to a 1-year, $5.5 million dollar deal with another possible $1.5 bucks he can earn in incentives. Baker missed all of last season due to elbow surgery. Baker pitched in 23 games (21 starts) for the Twins in 2011 and he was 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Baker has now pitched in 163 games (159 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 63-48 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. If Baker’s elbow is sound, this will be a great pickup for the Cubs as he is a good pitcher.

The Cubs have re-signed 24-year old lefty reliever/starter Kyler Burke to a minor league deal. Burke pitched in 27 games (19 starts) in A-ball last year and he was 3-9 with 1 save, a 3.44 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has now pitched in 43 games (19 starts) in his first two years as a pitcher in the minors and he is 5-10 with 3 saves, a 3.30 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Burke has only been pitching in the minors for two years as he is a converted outfielder, so the Cubs have high hopes for him down the road.