Chicago Cubs Roster Moves: nine retained with signings, contract tenders

The Chicago Cubs signed catcher George Kottaras and infielder Donnie Murphy to one-year contracts Monday and tendered contracts to seven arbitration-eligible players including, second baseman Darwin Barney, and pitchers Jeff Samardzija, Pedro Strop, James Russell, and infielder Luis Valbuena and outfielder Nate Schierholtz.

Aug 22, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Donnie Murphy (8) hits a two run home run to tie the game against the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs non-tendered infielder Mat Gamel and relievers Daniel Bard and Chang-Yong Lim, who are all now free agents. Lim was not arbitration-eligible.

The Cubs’ 40-man roster now stands at 37 players after all the moves.

Kottaras, 30, who was arbitration-eligible, signed a one-year, $1.075 million contract with incentives. The Cubs acquired him last Tuesday from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations and he made $1 million in 2013. He is projected to be the backup catcher.

Murphy, also 30 and arbitration-eligible, agreed to a $825,000 deal. In 46 games with the Cubs, he batted .255 and hit 11 home runs.

The Cubs will now look at the expanded free-agent list. Last year, they signed Schierholtz after the Philadelphia Phillies did not tender him a contract and the Cubs could do the same with an infielder or closer.

Gamel, 28, was sidelined in 2013 due to a torn right anterior cruciate ligament and was acquired off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers in October.

Bard, also 28, appeared in three games in Puerto Rico winter ball, but gave up seven earned runs, walked nine, hit three batters and threw four wild pitches.

Lim, 37, signed as a free agent with the Cubs in 2012 and appeared in six games this September. He gave up three earned runs, struck out five and walked seven, hit one batter and threw a wild pitch in those outings.

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