Cubs Sign Looper, Ojeda; Invite 21 To Camp

The Chicago Cubs announced today that they have signed pitcher Braden Looper, and infielder Augie Ojeda to minor league deals with an invite to Spring Training. Ojeda, and Looper are 2 of 21 non-roster players that the Cubs invited to Spring Training.

The Cubs thought about the idea of signing Looper at the beginning of the 2010 season, but a deal never materialized. Looper has been wanting to pitch for the Cubs since last year, and now will get a shot at earning a spot in the bullpen. Looper has not pitched in the Majors since 2009, when he was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. Looper started 34 games for the brew crew that season and went 14-7 with an ERA of 5.22.  The likeliest scenario for Looper is he starts the year in Triple A – Iowa as an insurance policy in case anything happens to a pitcher on the Major League roster.

Augie Ojeda broke with the Cubs in 2000, and was a fan favorite to most Chicago fans. But after four season of ineffectiveness, the Cubs and Ojeda parted ways. Most recently, Ojeda has spent the past four seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last season with the Diamondbacks, Ojeda hit .190/.258/.228 in 79 at bats. Ojeda will likely compete with Darwin Barney for a spot on the 25 man roster as a backup infielder. I don’t think this will thwart the Cubs attempt to sign Orlando Cabrera; as the Ojeda signing was probably just a make-good signing for both sides.

Here is the full list of the 21 players that were invited to Spring Training.

"Seven pitchers — including right-handers Looper, Wellemeyer, Chris Carpenter, Angel Guzman, Jay Jackson, and Trey McNutt and left-hander Scott Rice — have been invited to the Cubs’ camp along with catchers Steve Clevenger and Chris Robinson. The seven infielders invited include Ojeda, Matt Camp, Bryan LaHair, Scott Moore, Bobby Scales, Marquez Smith and Josh Vitters. Five outfielders were invited including Jim Adduci, Brett Jackson, Reed Johnson, Luis Montanez and Brad Snyder. MUSKAT RAMBLINGS"

The names that highlight the list are Jay Jackson, Trey McNutt, Chris Carpenter, Josh Vitters, and Brett Jackson. As those are all top prospects who figure to be on the verge of becoming Major League ready. I do not really anticipate any of them making the roster coming out of Spring Training, but Chris Carpenter may be an option for the bullpen if he impresses. Brett Jackson will likely become the Cubs starting center fielder this season, but it won’t be at the start of the season.

The other two players that figure to receive a hard look this spring are Angel Guzman, and Reed Johnson. Guzman is rehabbing from shoulder surgery that he had before last year’s Spring Training. Before sustaining that injury, Guzman was on the cusp of becoming a dominant reliever for the Cubs.  Reed Johnson will be competing with Fernando Perez for a spot on the 25 man roster as the Cubs fifth outfielder. It may be difficult for Johnson to overcome the athleticism and speed that Perez could bring to the team. However, Johnson is well liked within the Cubs clubhouse, and is good hitter against lefties.

The Cubs first full squad workout is on February 19.