Cubs sign Scott Baker to one-year deal

The Cubs signed right-hander Scott Baker to a one-year deal, the team announced on Tuesday. The 31-year-old missed the 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

By C. Trent Rosecrans

Nov 13, 2012 at 11:59 am ET • 1 min read

Scott Baker missed all of 2012 after Tommy John surgery. (US Presswire)

The Cubs failed to trade for Dan Haren, so instead they've gone the free-agent route and signed right-hander Scott Baker to a one-year deal, according to a release by the team.

Baker will earn $5.5 million plus incentives, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports (via Twitter).

Baker, 31, missed the 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery but is expected to be ready for the 2013 season. The Twins declined a $9.25 million option for next season but reportedly had interest in bringing him back.

Baker was 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 21 starts in 2011 and is 63-48 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 770 strikeouts in 958 innings in parts of seven seasons. He's averaged 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings throughout his career, but had a career-high 8.2 strikeouts per nine in 2011 while posting a 1.173 WHIP. He made at least 23 starts from 2007-10, throwing 200 innings in 2009.

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