Former Cub Chad Gaudin signs with Philadelphia Phillies

July 24, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher

(57) delivers a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at AT

Right-hander Chad Gaudin, who spent a portion of the 2008 season with the Chicago Cubs, has agreed to terms on a Minor League deal with an invitation to big league Spring Training, according to a press release from the team.

Gaudin, who turns 31 in March, appeared in 30 games for the San Francisco Giants last season, 12 of which were starts. In those 30 appearances, he posted a 3.06 ERA – the best mark of his 11-year career – while going 5-2 for the Giants. He notched 88 strikeouts in 97 innings and posted a WAR of 1.3, which was also a career-best.

The former 2001 34th round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays will add depth to the pitching staff in Philadelphia, where the rotation is headlined by Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels once again. As noted, Gaudin could fill a rotation vacancy or could provide a reliable veteran presence in the bullpen for manager Ryne Sandberg.

During his brief stint in Chicago, the right-hander appeared in 24 games, going 4-2 with a 6.26 ERA over the course of 27 1/3 innings of work. He allowed 9.5 H/9 and posted a WHIP of 1.427 after coming over in what was, at the time, viewed as a pretty significant move by both sides.

The Cubs sent four players – Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson and Josh Donaldson – to Oakland in exhange for Rich Harden and Gaudin. Harden failed to regain his former dominance in Chicago and Donaldson was the main player sent to the Athletics that panned out in the long-run.