Shawn Stays in Cubs Camp

This morning the Cubs and reliever Shawn Camp agreed to a one year contract. The reported salary will be $1.35 million and Camp can earn up to $200,000 more in performance related bonuses, as Tweeted by Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. The performance bonus concept has been a bit of a running theme so far in the Cubs front office. Camp represents the third free agent that has had this bonus included in his deal, following those of Dioner Navarro and Scott Baker. While none of the three would be considered headline grabbing or blockbuster signings, the approach is certainly refreshing when compared to no trade clauses being handed out recklessly by the prior regime.

Sept 12, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shawn Camp (54) pitches against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

Camp figures to be mainly used out of the set up role, but if his 2012 season is any indication, the rubber armed reliever will be called upon in all sorts of situations and not just the eighth inning. Camp had a career high 80 appearances, which tied for the lead in all of MLB, and he worked 77 2/3 innings over those appearances. His 3.59 ERA will not wow stat geeks, but considering the shape of the rest of the Cubs bullpen as it currently stands, Camp figures to continue to be a reliable crutch out of the bullpen that manager Dale Sveum will lean on for relief.

The deal is a win-win for both sides, considering Camp was picked up off the scrap heap going into the 2012 season. Another solid season from Camp in 2013 could see him hold some trade value come July.